Virginia witnesses numerous cases where people are struck down or seriously hurt in truck accidents each year. In Harrisonburg, which is famous for its many busy roadways and commercial activities, incidents involving trucks are something many people experience. The worrying fact is that even a marginal accident at high speeds with an 18-wheeler or a heavy delivery truck can result in terrible outcomes.
If your family has been involved in a truck accident, it’s probable that you have injuries to deal with, medical expenses to cover, difficulties at work, and the intense emotions caused by the crash. What’s more, truck accident litigation is complicated and may include truck drivers, the companies they work for, insurance agents, and even those who build the trucks. Handling a personal injury case by yourself or with a lawyer who isn’t up to the challenge can result in receiving far less money than you are entitled to, or you might not receive any compensation at all.
So, choosing the proper Harrisonburg truck accident lawyer is one of the most important things you can do during your recovery. An experienced attorney can defend your interests, collect important evidence, discuss terms with insurance providers, and carry your case to a court hearing when required. Still, there is a difference among lawyers, and not all have the skills needed for truck accident litigation.
It is a pity that there are many cases where people pick a lawyer whom they later regret, and the consequences can be both expensive and painful. Delaying important actions or employing an unqualified person can seriously damage your case at the beginning.
1. Hiring a Lawyer Without Truck Accident Experience
Since each truck accident case is special, not every personal injury lawyer will be able to manage them.Since these cases depend on various legal issues and laws for big rigs, up-to-date trucking regulations, truck maintenance records, and black box data and involve multiple companies, ordinary practice lawyers may find it tough to manage all the requirements.
Before working with a lawyer, ask them how experienced they are with truck crashes, what results they’ve managed to secure, and if they are aware of the rules set by the FMCSA. The chosen attorney must have dealt with commercial truck litigation cases before.
2. Failing to Look Into the Lawyer’s History and Previous Cases
Choosing a lawyer you found only in a TV ad or a billboard is not safe. Being well-known doesn’t necessarily mean an attorney gives good legal service.
As an alternative, you should read online reviews and testimonials and look at the outcomes in previous cases. Avvo, Justia, and Martindale-Hubbell are among the legal directories where it is easy to read peer and client reviews of a lawyer. Your aim should be to work with a leader who is reliable, always answers your questions, and gets the job done.
3. Not Familiarizing Yourself with How the Service Charges
Most of the truck accident attorneys in Harrisonburg agree to represent you only if you win your case. But the percentage of your fee, the expenses related to the case, and how open billing works can be different from one lawyer to another.
Before you pay, ensure you get in writing how much you will pay. Check if you will be required to pay for expert witnesses or court fees or be charged if the case turns out badly for you. A trusted lawyer will let you know this at the beginning.
4. Choosing Based on Proximity Alone
It is important to pick a convenient lawyer, but you shouldn’t rely solely on convenience. It is possible that the lawyer next door is not ready to handle a complicated truck accident case that could pay out hundreds of thousands.
A firm with experienced and talented staff, regardless of if their consultations are conducted online or set in a location just slightly away from you. Several of the best firms in Harrisonburg are able to either visit you in person or communicate and work with you via the phone or Internet.
5. Delaying the Hiring Process
Make sure you proceed without delay if you’re involved in a truck accident. In many cases, trucking companies take sudden actions such as destroying or withholding important proof.
The main reason for being prompt: Making your move early helps the legal team to preserve the black box, request photographs of the damage, and talk to witnesses before their memory fades. If you wait too much time, showing who was at fault and getting fair compensation can be very difficult.
Conclusion
Though you should not rush your choice of a lawyer, it is very important to move quickly in the case of truck accidents. Hiring an accident attorney from Harrisonburg is made simpler when you skip these five typical mistakes. You should ensure you hire the proper attorney after a serious accident, as this will support you and your loved one in getting compensation for treatment, the time you lost from work and recovery.
