What to Look For When Choosing a Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Austin
When you’re in an accident with a semi-truck or other large commercial vehicle, the results are often disastrous. Your entire life changes in a moment and you may find yourself unable to work to make ends meet, all while your injury’s medical bills pile up. You know that an attorney can help you fight for the compensation you deserve, but you’re just not sure where to begin looking for one.
The key is to know what you need in a personal injury lawyer who is experienced with the complexities and complications of big-rig and commercial truck accidents. Keep reading to learn what to look for when choosing a semi-truck accident lawyer and find out how our team at Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC, will fight for you.
Look for a Lawyer With a Solid Reputation
Truck accidents are often far more complicated than car accidents because of the sheer size of the vehicle involved and the multiple parties who can be found at fault. You want a lawyer who specializes in pursuing settlements for truck accidents and who is capable of getting high-value settlements for their clients.
Look for an attorney who is transparent about their high-value settlements and can back up their settlement results with customer testimonials of solid, compassionate service, knowledge, and commitment to fighting for the compensation you deserve. Check for five-star customer reviews, video testimonials, and a long legacy of service.
Find an Attorney Who Understands Your Situation
Some truck accident attorneys out there treat clients as numbers who come through the door and are to be moved forward as quickly as possible. While settling your case quickly should certainly be a focus, you deserve an attorney who understands the devastation of your accident. You want someone who knows what you’re going through and who can stand by your side, not just as a legal advocate, but as someone who can be an ally during this difficult time.
You need someone who wants to hear your story, make your case easier to deal with, and take some of the most stressful parts off your shoulders. The right attorney will make sure that you can focus on what counts: getting well again.
Look for Contingency and a Free Case Review
A free case review with no obligation is essential to your relationship with your truck accident injury lawyer. Any time a lawyer charges you a fee for your initial case review should be seen as a red flag. The best attorneys work on contingency, which means they not only offer a free case review, but they don’t charge you a dime for their services unless they win your case.
Contingency is how we operate at Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC. Since we only get paid if you get paid, you can always be sure we have your best interest in mind. Whatever it takes to fight for your right to compensation, we’re on top of it!
Look for a Lawyer Who Knows How Truck Accidents Differ
Truck accidents differ from car accidents in many important ways. For example, when you’re in an accident with another driver who acts irresponsibly, that driver is usually the person against whom you file suit. With a truck accident, on the other hand, there are many different parties you might end up having to battle with when seeking compensation. These include, but may not be limited to:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The loading company responsible for balancing the cargo
- The manufacturer of any faulty parts on the truck
- The maintenance crew responsible for safety inspections
Truck accident laws also fall under both federal and state laws that must be addressed, making them more complex than other auto accident cases. Federal law, for example, strictly regulates the amount of time a truck driver can stay on the road without stopping to rest, but many drivers ignore this, causing exhaustion-related accidents.
Look for a Lawyer Who Is Experienced In Your State Law
In Texas, you are required to file your case within two years of the date of the crash. This is called the “statute of limitations.” Filing even a day late can cost you your right to compensation, so you need an attorney who can stick to the timeline.
Texas also has a modified comparative negligence rule for vehicular accidents. This means that your award can be reduced by the amount of responsibility you hold. So if your case is worth $250,000, and you are found to be 10% responsible, your award will be reduced by $25,000.
You need a semi-truck accident lawyer who is experienced in the specific Texas state laws and can put you on course to prove who is responsible for the accident and fight for your right to compensation.
A Network of Resources
You also want an attorney who has the necessary network of resources to call upon to present your case. Truck accident cases can require a lot of experts to come forward and testify to what you’re dealing with. The right attorney, through years in their field, will have built up a solid network that they can call upon for everything from accident reconstruction, traffic engineering, and forensics to doctors, other medical experts, and more.
The right truck accident attorney will be able to put their resources to work to build and support your case in an ironclad fashion.
Hiring Your Austin Semi-Truck Accident Attorney
If you’ve been in a truck accident caused by someone else and you need help seeking compensation, you want an attorney who knows the law, knows how truck accidents are different, and has the resources and legacy to fight for your rights and for the compensation you deserve.
At Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers PLLC, we have a long history of treating every client like a member of our own family. We will go above and beyond for you and be a compassionate ally in your fight for compensation. Call us today or fill out our online form to get your free case review and remember: We’re on top of it!