The Importance of Hiring an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Florida | Cersei Denny Scarola Barnhart and Shipley

Most people don’t know what to do after they’ve been in a truck accident. This is understandable given the extreme nature of such cases. It is wise for most victims to contact a lawyer immediately. However, it must be understood that it may not be enough just to call a lawyer. Your choice of attorney can have a significant impact on how your case is handled. This article will discuss the ways in which hiring an attorney experienced in such matters can benefit your case.

Truck accident cases can involve multiple parties and multiple theories of liability

An experienced attorney can identify the relevant parties in a truck accident case

Trucking accident cases can involve multiple defendants. These parties can include the truck driver, the truck owner, any third party management companies the owner may have appointed, the entities that load the truck, and more. However, the liability of the parties other than the driver and the employer is specific, which will depend on the details of the case. An experienced attorney will be able to perform an in-depth analysis of the facts and identify the parties against whom you should file claims. Because failure to name a party may result in you not receiving the full compensation amount, it is important to choose an attorney with the necessary experience to analyze the situation.

One issue that could complicate naming all necessary defendants is the fact that trucking companies, as well as other related parties, may be part of a complex corporate structure. When an LLC is owned by a privately held company, which in turn is owned by another LLC, the possibility that not all parties will be identified increases. By hiring an attorney experienced in such matters, you increase the likelihood that your attorney will be able to identify all of the defendants involved.

An experienced attorney can use multiple theories of liability

There can be several theories about liability in truck accident cases. These claims can include negligence against the truck driver, negligent employment and supervision claims against the driver’s employer, as well as claims against management companies and other third parties. An experienced attorney is often better suited to interpreting the nuances of personal injury law that determine whether or not a particular theory of liability applies to your case. If all possible theories of liability are not explored, you may not again receive the full amount of compensation to which you are entitled.

An experienced attorney will also be familiar with the types of findings needed to establish a particular theory of liability. Without making this discovery, the victim may find themselves believing they have a particular claim against a particular defendant but will not have the evidence to prove it. This will result in the victim being unable to confirm the claim even though the actual facts of the matter may support it.

Experienced truck accident attorneys will be able to handle expert witnesses

Expert witnesses are important in most truck accident cases. First, in terms of liability, these witnesses are often needed to determine if the defendants are following industry standards in terms of truck maintenance, etc. An accident reconstruction specialist may also be called upon to provide an opinion on who is actually at fault in the wreckage. Secondly, with regard to damages, medical and professional experts are often called upon to determine the extent of the damage to the victim from the accident, whether they will be able to return to work, and how the situation has affected their economic well-being. .

An experienced attorney will often have relationships with the type of experts needed to prove your claims in a truck accident case. Experienced attorneys are also likely to know how to handle any claims made by defense experts.

An experienced attorney will likely have the resources to complete your case

Trucking accident cases can be very costly for your law firm. Your attorney will typically pay all litigation costs up front, including expert costs, and will not be reimbursed unless your case is settled or you win at trial. Hiring a firm without the financial resources to follow your case through to completion can result in an attorney having to withdraw while you wait for your court case. This could delay your case, or worse, lead to a negative outcome. By hiring an experienced attorney, you are hiring a firm that is likely to have a better understanding of the resources needed to handle such a matter. This makes them less likely to “get in their heads,” which unfortunately happens from time to time in personal injury law.

Ask potential attorneys about their previous experience with truck accident cases

It is important to ask about your previous experience when deciding which company to retain in the event of a truck accident. Relevant questions could include asking the attorney what percentage of his or her practice is devoted to personal injury law. Are they “personal injury lawyers” or are they a general practitioner who handles personal injury cases. It is also suggested that you inquire about previous truck accident cases that the company has dealt with as well as their financial ability to retain the necessary experts. Remember that your attorney is working for you and it is entirely your right to ask such questions before hiring him.

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