Trucking accidents are often severe and involve injuries that can last long after the accident itself. Truck drivers are required to follow a number of safety regulations, but accidents still happen regularly. Unfortunately, these accidents can involve several parties because many people are involved in them: drivers, companies, manufacturers, and others.
They affect not only those who were hurt or killed but also their families and friends. If you have been involved in a trucking accident and are looking for legal representation, then there is no better place to start than with truck accident lawyers who understand this unique area of law from first-hand experience.
The number of commercial vehicle accidents is increasing, and it is alarming, especially how the numbers are going up in states like Missouri. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the St. Louis region was the site of close to a quarter of all heavy truck-related traffic accidents in Missouri. In 2021, there were a lot of commercial vehicle incidents in St. Louis County, including 156 accidents with fatalities.
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The facts and figures are unfortunate, and not everything can be under our control. However, one should try and take charge in whatever way in such a case and get legal help. In case you or someone you know has been in such an accident in Missouri, the first step is to look for a St. Louis truck accident lawyer.
But before you start looking for one, here are some tips on how to choose the best lawyer for you:
Finding the Best Truck Accident Lawyers
There are a lot of lawyers who can help with truck accident cases, and the industry is expanding. It means that more and more people are seeking help regarding accidents. The Personal Injury Lawyers and Attorneys market is worth $53.1 billion in sales in 2022. Between 2017 and 2022, the US market for personal injury attorneys and lawyers grew by 3.4% a year on average. The pool is quite big, but the trick is to choose the lawyer that best suits your interests.
You should also look for an experienced truck accident lawyer who does not charge extra fees just because the other side has insurance companies involved in your case. Insurance companies often have special rules when dealing with accidents involving trucks and large vehicles like semi-trucks and tractor-trailers on highways throughout America’s roadways today, so it’s important that you find an attorney who knows these rules inside out.
Experience With Trucking Accidents
You should also make sure that your attorney has experience with trucking accidents. A lawyer who’s familiar with trucking company regulations, federal and state laws, and courtroom arguments relating to these types of cases will be able to better represent you in court.
You should also make sure that your lawyer is well-versed in the industry as a whole, including how it works and what kind of risks are involved.
Contingency Fees
Contingency fees are an important part of the truck accident lawyer industry. These fees are also known as “no win, no fee” agreements because they help you afford a lawyer to represent you in your case with little-to-no money down.
How much do they cost? The actual amount depends on several factors, including:
- Case complexity (what kind of evidence needs to be gathered, how many people need to be interviewed)
- Location (where the truck accident happened)
- Lawyer experience level (how long they’ve been practicing law) Contingency fees can vary widely from case to case, but generally speaking, they range between 33% and 40%. If you feel like this might work for your budget or situation, then look for an attorney who charges contingency fees.
Compatibility
The lawyer should be a good fit for your case. The lawyer should be a good fit for your personality. (Remember, some lawyers are better at negotiating than others.) The lawyer should be a good fit for your family. (Are they easygoing? Do they have experience working with children?)
Finally, the lawyer should also be willing to work well with your employer or business if it’s relevant to the case, especially if you’re self-employed or own the company that was involved in the accident.
Trial Experience
It’s crucial to find a lawyer who has experience in trial. If a lawyer hasn’t tried cases, you can’t be sure how well they’ll represent you in court.
The best way to evaluate a lawyer’s trial experience is through their record of past wins and losses.
If they’ve had many high-profile trials and won them all, that’s a good sign. Also, check out if they’ve ever lost any cases or been taken off cases due to incompetence or lack of effort.
Setting the Right Expectations
The first thing you need to know is that your case will be different from anyone else’s. You should not expect that your lawyer can handle everything for you or predict exactly how long it will take to get compensation.
Also, keep in mind that any lawsuit can go to court and result in additional expenses. Your lawyer may recommend that you hire an expert witness (which could cost thousands of dollars) or file a motion with the court (which could cost hundreds of dollars). He or she may also suggest that you pay for depositions, and interviews under oath, of witnesses involved in your accident case (which could cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000).
There are many factors involved when choosing the right truck accident attorney for your needs: experience level, success rate, location, legal fees, and others listed below.
Why You Should Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
There are several things to consider when choosing a lawyer. You need a lawyer who understands the trucking industry, as well as how insurance companies work. You also need someone who can negotiate on your behalf and fight for you in court if necessary.
Get Compensation for Your Injuries
A truck accident lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries and find the right doctors and specialists to help with treatment. There are some things that you should do after a truck accident, like seeking medical attention, reporting the incident to authorities, and ensuring that there is an investigation into what happened.
A good lawyer can also help you find the best rehabilitation program for your injuries, as well as other services like massage therapy or chiropractic care.
A truck accident lawyer will handle all of these things on your behalf so that you don’t have to worry about them while focusing on recovering from your injuries. They’ll also make sure that any insurance company offers are fair.
With the ever-increasing number of vehicles on the road and poor infrastructure, the chances of accidents also increase. There were little more than 284 million vehicles on American roadways in the second quarter of 2022. The cases of drunk driving and road accidents are also rising so it is better to be safe and keep your options open.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a truck accident, it’s important to contact an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. You should not feel intimidated by the process. A good lawyer can guide you through this difficult time, helping with all of the paperwork and making sure that your rights are protected at all times.
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