18-wheelers are gigantic in size and weight – and any accident in which they are involved is serious business. If the truck driver was at fault and the victim was seriously injured, the compensation claim can run up to millions of dollars depending on the circumstances of the case.
However, the chances of the case succeeding depend on the experience of the Utah 18-wheeler accident lawyer appointed by the victim. Choosing the wrong kind of attorney or an inexperienced one can heap additional misery on the victim and his loved ones.
Our team at White and Garner has assembled this checklist that will help all truck accident victims or their loved ones, zero in on the right lawyer:
1. Experience in Resolving Trucking Cases
Trucking companies with deep pockets, insurance companies that hate parting with money, and a battery of powerful lawyers combine to give a tough time to victims (plaintiffs) of Utah 18 trucking accidents.
The plaintiff needs an experienced Utah 18-wheeler accident lawyer with many years of experience in successfully resolving trucking accident cases. Before hiring the lawyer, ask him to explain how he successfully helped his clients win cases against trucking and insurance companies, and what was the average compensation paid per case.
2. Practice Niche
Working with a general practitioner can be a mistake because such attorneys generally do not have the resources or experience in dealing with lawyers appointed by the cash-rich trucking companies. Victims are advised to work with Utah personal injury lawyers or wrongful death attorneys with experience in the trucking niche.
3. The Legal Firm’s Size and Reputation
The legal firm must have a sound reputation – typically, the firm’s reputation can be checked by testimonials provided by its clients and checking if it has been successful in resolving a majority of personal injury and trucking accident cases in the past.
Secondly, know that trucking cases take a long time to resolve and the victim’s 18-wheeler accident attorney has to go up against a battery of reputed lawyers representing the trucking and insurance companies. Therefore, every victim’s lawyer must have enough resources and be ready for the long haul.
And herein lies the problem.
Small firms without adequate resources often pressure the victim to settle for a lower sum than he is rightfully entitled to. Big firms have too many things to do and your case may not get the time and resources it deserves.
Therefore, victims should work with a firm that works on a contingency fee basis, can easily deal with hot-shot lawyers, and has adequate resources to fight the case.
4. Accessibility and Communication Efficiency
Any quality Utah 18-wheeler accident attorneys firm appoints a point for contact for each client. Your contact should be available whenever needed. Secondly, the lines of communication between the client and the firm (and its representatives) must be clear, crisp, direct, honest, and unambiguous.
The victim can judge these factors in the free initial consultation meeting that is offered by many legal firms.
5. Comfort Level
Is the attorney a frank and direct professional who does not beat around the bush and yet establishes a nice level of comfort in the free initial discussion? Does the victim feel comfortable enough to share the case details with the lawyer?
These questions can be answered only after the initial meeting. Some victims choose an attorney based on their gut feeling, while others base their decision on other factors such as references, newspaper coverage, the initial meeting, etc. – it’s all subjective. However, we urge all victims to take advantage of the free initial consultation offered by many quality lawyers.
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
There is a truckload of lawyers in Utah – and quite a few of them handle trucking accidents.
You need to zero in on a Utah 18-wheeler trucking attorney who is experienced in resolving complex trucking accident cases, has a successful track record, has the skill and capability to take on reputed legal firms, communicates effectively, is accessible to you on-demand, has adequate time to devote to your case, and comes through in the free initial consultation.
Well, we are what you are looking for.
We urge you to take advantage of our free initial consultation to learn how we will calculate your claim, build a liability case, and convince the at-fault party to pay up what is rightfully due.
What do you have to lose in meeting us?
Nothing!
What do you have to gain?
Everything!