Filing a claim for compensation for injuries caused in a truck accident is more complicated than one filed after an auto collision. You need to hire a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer to negotiate your settlement with the trucker's and trucking company's insurance company.
However, it can be difficult to find the right attorney who you can trust and who will aggressively fight so that you receive all the compensation you deserve under Virginia law. You need to take advantage of most lawyers' offer of a free initial consultation to get advice on your rights and learn more about them. Here are five essential questions you want to ask them.
1. Is My Case Strong Enough to Purse or Should I File a Claim With My Own Insurance Company?
After you tell the lawyer about how your truck crash occurred and the injuries you suffered, they should explain whether the trucker, their trucking company, or any other parties are responsible for compensating you for your injuries. They should be able to tell you whether you have a strong enough claim to make it worthwhile to file a claim with their insurance company or whether you should just file a claim under your own insurance policy.
2. How Much Experience Do You Have Handling Truck Accident Cases?
You do not want an attorney who primarily handles car collision or other personal injury cases to represent you in your truck accident case. Truckers and trucking companies must follow special federal and state rules that are designed to prevent accidents that could have been violated and caused your crash. You will achieve a better outcome when filing your claim if you have an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side who has represented many truck accident victims.
You should also find out their track record of success in settling truck crash claims before deciding whether to retain them. You can learn this by asking them about this at your interview and by reviewing their case results on their website if they have them.
3. Do You Have Experience Taking on Corporate Lawyers?
The insurance company for the truck driver and trucking company will hire a team of corporate lawyers to fight to deny your claim or to pay you far less than you are entitled to. You should ask the attorney at your initial consultation about their experience in handling cases against these large law firms.
4. How Much Is My Claim Worth?
At your initial consultation, a lawyer may only be able to give you a general sense of the value of your claim. They may need to conduct a more thorough investigation into the cause of your wreck and the seriousness of your injuries before they can give you a more accurate opinion of how much you should receive from your claim.
5. Will You Take My Case to Trial If Necessary?
While most truck accident claims are settled before they go to trial, not all are. If the insurance company digs in their heels and refuses to offer you a fair settlement, you need a lawyer who is not afraid to take your case to a jury trial and has obtained favorable jury awards in cases like yours in the past.
Were you or a family member injured in a truck crash in the Norfolk or Virginia Beach area? Call our Norfolk office or fill out our convenient online form to schedule a free case review to learn about our extensive experience helping truck accident victims and how we can assist you.
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