Why Truck Accidents Require Specialized Attorneys
Truck accident cases involve complexities that general personal injury lawyers may not understand. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations govern hours of service, maintenance requirements, cargo loading, and driver qualifications. Your attorney must understand these regulations to identify negligence.
Trucking companies often have massive legal teams and insurance coverage up to $5 million. They begin investigating accidents immediately, sometimes even sending investigators to the scene before emergency responders clear the area. You need a lawyer who can match their resources and respond quickly.
Trucking companies often have massive legal teams and insurance coverage up to $5 million. They begin investigating accidents immediately, sometimes even sending investigators to the scene before emergency responders clear the area. You need a lawyer who can match their resources and respond quickly.
Key Qualifications to Look For
Look for attorneys with specific truck accident experience, not just general personal injury. Ask how many truck accident cases they've handled and their success rate. Request examples of settlements and verdicts in similar cases.
Verify their familiarity with Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), black box data, and trucking industry practices. The best truck accident lawyers have relationships with accident reconstructionists, trucking industry experts, and medical specialists.
Check their trial experience. While most cases settle, insurance companies offer better settlements when they know your lawyer will take the case to trial if necessary.
Verify their familiarity with Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), black box data, and trucking industry practices. The best truck accident lawyers have relationships with accident reconstructionists, trucking industry experts, and medical specialists.
Check their trial experience. While most cases settle, insurance companies offer better settlements when they know your lawyer will take the case to trial if necessary.
Questions to Ask During Consultation
Ask potential lawyers: How many truck accident cases have you handled? What was your largest truck accident settlement? Do you have resources to take on a large trucking company? Will you personally handle my case or pass it to junior associates? How do you communicate with clients?
Inquire about their investigation process. Do they preserve evidence quickly? Do they work with accident reconstructionists? Can they obtain black box and ELD data before it's destroyed?
Understand their fee structure. Most truck accident lawyers work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you win. Typical contingency fees range from 33-40% depending on whether the case settles or goes to trial.
Inquire about their investigation process. Do they preserve evidence quickly? Do they work with accident reconstructionists? Can they obtain black box and ELD data before it's destroyed?
Understand their fee structure. Most truck accident lawyers work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if you win. Typical contingency fees range from 33-40% depending on whether the case settles or goes to trial.
Red Flags to Avoid
Avoid lawyers who guarantee specific outcomes—no ethical attorney can promise results. Be wary of those who pressure you to sign immediately or those who don't take time to understand your case.
Watch out for lawyers who seem unfamiliar with FMCSA regulations or who primarily handle simple car accident cases. Avoid attorneys who don't have the resources to take on well-funded trucking companies.
Stay away from lawyers who will simply refer your case to another firm for a referral fee. Make sure the lawyer you meet is the one who will actually handle your case.
Watch out for lawyers who seem unfamiliar with FMCSA regulations or who primarily handle simple car accident cases. Avoid attorneys who don't have the resources to take on well-funded trucking companies.
Stay away from lawyers who will simply refer your case to another firm for a referral fee. Make sure the lawyer you meet is the one who will actually handle your case.