Sharing the highways with semi-trucks can be incredibly stressful. These massive vehicles can be dangerous even during the best weather conditions. Tight deadlines, not enough sleep, stressful work conditions and long times away from their families mean that the risk of an accident with a truck driver is higher than average. While truck drivers are classified as professional drivers, truck accidents do happen and you'll have to know what your rights if this situation occurs. It's important to know what you have to do and how you can get the best outcome for you. You must make sure you get the best truck accident lawyer in Miami to help you during this difficult situation.
Being in a truck accident can lead to traumatic injuries. The accident is also traumatic for your psychological health and involves a lengthy recovery time. The danger is usually amplified by the sheer size of the truck. In a car-truck accident, the sheer difference in size can result in a traumatic experience. Trucks weigh 20 to 30 times as much as cars, so the danger is massive.
Statistics show that there were 415,000 crashes that involved trucks in 2015 alone, with about 3,600 fatalities and 83,000 injuries. The majority of the deaths occurred in car-truck accidents, and the victims were mostly passenger car occupants. The trucks are larger than passenger cars, but they are also taller, with higher ground clearance, further damaging a small car in case of an accident. What's more, trucks take more time to come to a full stop and this issue is further compounded when slippery, wet roads are considered.
But how do you find the best Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney? How can you make sure your lawyer is the best one?
Let's take a look at some of the best tips to help you out:
Checking the reputation of the truck accident lawyer in Miami
Reputation is the first thing you'll need to pay attention to. Does the lawyer have experience with truck accident cases? Does he or she have good recommendations from other clients? Has he or she dealt with similar cases? Is he or she known in the community in the profession as a good expert in this field? Check whether the lawyer is active in this field and if he or she has other similar cases. Talk to people who had similar issues as yourself and ask for recommendations. Who is the best lawyer for you? Ask for references, follow up on the list and create a shortlist of the best attorneys for your case. This process may take a few weeks but is very important to choose the best lawyer in these situations.
Check the experience thoroughly
By now, you should already have a shortlist with about three good truck accident lawyers. Check the background of each of these lawyers. Where did they study law? Where did they work before? In what cases? Does the firm have a team of lawyers and paralegals that can work on your case? How much experience do they have in the legal field and in this particular niche? Examine their track record of success. How many cases were won vs. how many were lost – this is very important. The most important thing is that you will want and need a Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney that has the right experience, the right background and is ready to deal with your case.
Contacting the lawyers – the first consultation
Most lawyers offer a free first consultation where you can present your case and talk about the first steps you'll need to make. This is the first time you will interact with the lawyers, so pay attention to a few things. Firstly, how well do you get along with the truck accident lawyer in Miami? Do you feel you “click” with her or him? Is he or she interested in your case? How does he seem professionally? Does he or she seem confident in handling your case? Can you create a plan together with your lawyer? Can you be confident with his or her help in this situation? There are a lot of questions you'll need answers to, so pay attention to the whole interaction and how you feel about it. Secondly, this first consultation is the ideal time to ask for a rough price estimate. How much does this service cost? How will you pay the lawyer? How long is this case expected to last? Can it be rushed? These are also very important questions you'll need to ask yourself.
Estimate the lawyer's interest level
No matter how interesting your case may be, some lawyers may still be uninterested in handling it. Some will not directly refuse your case but will act somewhat uninterested in your particular case. This is not a problem usually, because most lawyers act professionally and will try the best even if they don't necessarily find your case particularly interesting. However, you may not be fully satisfied if your Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney is not interested in the case. The case might take longer, the connection might be more difficult and you won't feel that you have a partner by your side. Some clients want a “friendly connection” with their lawyer, and this can only be created if the lawyer is interested in the case. Pay attention to this element if you want to have a special connection with your lawyer. It may help you in the long run, especially if the case goes on for years.
Making your choice
Once you have the answers to all these questions, you can decide which is the best lawyer for your case. Usually, you will feel who the right one is as soon as you complete the interview process, but sometimes the choice may not be so simple and direct. If this is the case, rank the answers you receive and decide which one is the best according to experience, cases won, communication and interest level.
