If you were recently involved in a commercial vehicle accident, you are likely dealing with debilitating injuries and insurmountable medical bills. Whether you are just contemplating filing a truck accident lawsuit or already know this is the route, you probably realize you need legal guidance and assistance.
Hiring a commercial vehicle accident lawyer can be daunting, and you can feel pressure to choose the right attorney for your case. Most personal injury lawyers and firms offer free consultations and case assessments. At The Zimmerman Law Firm, we always do.
What Questions Should I Ask During a Free Consultation with a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer?
Most accident victims think an attorney consultation is strictly so the attorney can learn about your situation, injuries, and accident. While that is true, it is also an excellent opportunity for you to ask questions. You might want to ask the lawyer about their professional achievements, success, and experience. Here are our top 5 questions you should ask during your free consultation.
1. How Will My Case Be Different Because It Involves a Commercial Vehicle?
Knowing how your case may differ from a private passenger vehicle accident case can help you better understand what to expect. While there may be many similarities, there may also be several differences.
Commercial vehicle accident cases tend to be much more complicated from a legal standpoint. There may be several parties, multiple insurance policies, severe injuries, and extensive damage that can complicate the case.
2. Who Is Responsible for a Commercial Vehicle Accident?
Piggybacking off how your truck accident case may differ from a standard private passenger vehicle case, you should ask the attorney during your free consultation about determining liability.
Figuring out who is responsible and ultimately liable for your damages is crucial yet often challenging in commercial vehicle cases. Unlike private passenger cars, most commercial vehicles are not owned by the driver. Instead, the driver is an employee of the commercial trucking company.
In commercial truck cases, it is more likely that multiple parties will be liable. The driver, the trucking company (i.e., the employer), the manufacturer, the mechanic, and any other party involved in the use and maintenance of the truck may be accountable.
During the meeting, your lawyer may mention the doctrine of respondeat superior, which means employers can be held liable for the consequences of their employees’ actions. In other words, the trucking company and employer may be liable for negligence by its driver-employee.
3. Do You Have Experience with Commercial Vehicle Accident Cases?
You know now that commercial vehicle cases are likely to be different than those of a standard car accident case, so it is essential to ask the attorney before you about their experience with commercial vehicle cases.
Because of the potential for multiple defendants with several insurance policies, deep pockets, and shared liability, you want to ensure the lawyer you are hiring has experience with these types of cases.
Just because they may have handled dozens of car crash cases doesn’t mean they have experience with commercial truck accident lawsuits. Having a seasoned commercial truck crash lawyer can make the difference in success.
4. What Type of Compensation Can I Expect?
As the plaintiff-accident victim, you must prove you are entitled to damages. You may be entitled to significant compensation if you can successfully prove your case. The type and amount of damages you may be able to recover will depend on the facts, circumstances, and strength of your case. You may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages, including the following:
- Past and future medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Lost anticipated income,
- Vehicle repair or replacement,
- Pain and suffering,
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and
- Loss of consortium.
This list is not exhaustive, and you may be entitled to damages for any other physical and emotional harm you have suffered. In extreme negligence or recklessness, you may even be awarded punitive damages by the court. After assessing your case, your attorney can provide you with a better idea of the compensation you might receive.
5. How Long Do I Have to File My Claim?
Understanding how much time you have to initiate your case is essential. Generally, in Texas, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a civil lawsuit for damages. Notably, there are also exceptions to the two-year rule, which could extend or shorten the time you might have to bring your claim.
For instance, minors typically have two years from the day they turn 18 to file a lawsuit, or claims involving government vehicles may have a drastically shorter time frame for filing. Significantly, you may wait to meet with an attorney.
It may be weeks or even months after your accident before you consult with a free consultation commercial vehicle accident lawyer, which means you now have several weeks or months less to get your case started. During your initial consultation, your attorney will ask you for the date of the accident and can help you better understand how much time you have to file a lawsuit.
Other questions you may want to ask include:
- What is your success rate?;
- How much will it cost me to hire you?;
- Do you have availability and time to dedicate to my case?; and
- How long will it take to settle my claim?
Remember, no two cases are exactly alike, and neither will the consultations be. You may have more or fewer questions during your consultation, and that’s okay. By the end of the meeting, you should know whether this is the right attorney or law firm for you.
Texas Commercial Truck Accident Attorney
At The Zimmerman Law Firm, we have advocated for Central Texas accident victims since the ’60s. We are seasoned truck accident lawyers with the knowledge and resources to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
When you come through our doors, we promise to provide individualized and personal attention to your case every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Where to find our Waco office:
Michael Zimmerman
Michael was born in Houston, Texas. His education at Baylor and Texas State Universities earned him a Bachelor of Science degree in 1987. His major was in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. He finished his legal education at Texas Southern University in 1990, earning a Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1990.
Rate this Post
Loading...