What to Ask a Truck Accident Lawyer at Your Initial Consultation
Are you in need of assistance from an experienced truck accident lawyer? As you no doubt already know, there’s no scarcity of attorneys who specialize in this area of the law in West Valley City, Utah – and that makes choosing one quite the challenge.
Finding the right lawyer is crucial for a truck accident victim. If you’ve been injured in a collision with a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler or any sort of big rig and you plan to seek compensation from the at-fault party, you’ll want to speak with a few legal professionals to pinpoint the right person to take your case. Fortunately, most of the highly rated personal injury law firms in northern Utah – including Cockayne Law – offer free consultations. So, getting the information you need won’t cost you a dime.
How will you know which truck accident lawyer is the right choice? Seasoned attorneys may provide answers to many commonly asked questions, even if you don’t bring up the topics during the initial consultation. But, it’s a good idea to have a list of questions on hand so that you can be sure they’re all answered.
Questions About Experience
Attorneys specialize in many different areas of the law. For personal injury lawyers, it’s helping accident victims pursue compensation for their injuries and losses. However, as accidents can happen in countless ways, the realm of personal injury law is vast – and you want to hire a legal professional who has the expertise to fight for every dollar you deserve.
If you’ve done your research, the lawyers you consult with should have a solid understanding of truck accident claims. These questions can help confirm this:
- How long have you been practicing personal injury law?
- Do you have much experience with similar cases?
- Can you explain the important deadlines that affect the case?
- What is the likelihood of reaching a reasonable settlement?
- If the case doesn’t settle, are you comfortable going to court?
Questions About Your Case
Although no truck accident lawyer has a crystal ball that can reveal the outcome of your case, a skilled attorney should be able to give you an idea of what to expect. Based on the nature of the collision, the severity of your injuries and the expenses you incurred as a result of the incident, experienced legal professionals can determine the likelihood of success.
When you consult with West Valley City truck accident lawyers, some questions you may want to ask about the strength of your legal claim include:
- Which damages might factor into the claim for compensation?
- Who are the parties that could be held liable for the collision?
- How much do you think this truck accident claim is worth?
- Can you explain the way you see this case progressing?
- Do you foresee any legal issues that could impact the outcome?
Questions About Support
A truck accident lawyer may have the right level of experience with claims similar to yours, and they may have a good track record of success with these types of cases, but that isn’t all that matters. At some of the larger law firms in West Valley City – and with some of the busiest attorneys — clients may not get as much time and attention as they need.
With that in mind, you might want to question each truck accident lawyer you meet with about their expected involvement with your case. Consider asking the following:
- Are you the only attorney who will be working on the claim?
- How many cases do you usually work on simultaneously?
- Is there enough room in your schedule for another client?
- Do you have expert witnesses to call on to help build a strong case?
- How does your law firm handle communication with clients?
Questions About Payment
One of the most frequently asked questions that truck accident lawyers get concerns cost, and understandably so. But most West Valley City attorneys who specialize in personal injury law work on a contingency fee basis, keeping a percentage of the settlement or jury award as their legal fee – so there’s no need to worry about the expense.
However, you shouldn’t assume that every truck accident lawyer expects to be paid in that manner. During your initial consultations, make a point of asking the following:
- Do you take cases on a contingency fee basis?
- What percentage of the settlement or jury award do you keep?
- If the case ends up going to court, does the percentage increase?
- How does your law firm handle costs incurred as the case progresses?
- What will the bill look like if the case doesn’t end with a win?
Schedule a Free Consultation with Cockayne Law
The highly skilled legal team at Cockayne Law has extensive experience and a long track record of success with truck accident claims. We’re experts in personal injury law, and we’re familiar with the questionable tactics insurance adjusters may use to take advantage of injured victims. We’d be happy to answer the questions above and any others you might have, and we’re ready to put our knowledge and expertise to work for you.
If you were seriously injured in a collision with a big rig and want to discuss your legal rights with an accomplished truck accident lawyer in West Valley City, Utah, contact Cockayne Law and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
