One moment, everything was fine. The next, you were hit by an 80,000-pound commercial truck. As you recover from your injuries, you’re probably thinking, “Now what?” It’s time to talk to a Michigan truck accident lawyer.
In Michigan, compensation is possible for your losses after accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. Hiring a truck accident attorney is the first step toward holding the responsible party accountable for their recklessness. But you might not know how to hire the right attorney to represent you.
Fortunately, most injury lawyers offer free consultations for this very reason. It allows you to describe your accident to determine if they are the right firm to represent you.
A few questions you should ask a prospective truck accident attorney include:
Have You Handled Hundreds of Cases Like Mine in the Past?
Not all lawyers are created equal. Truck accident cases, in particular, are far more complex than other auto accident cases. The rules and regulations governing commercial trucks are complex and important for these cases, the injuries are often more severe, multiple parties could be at fault for the crash, insurance coverages for commercial trucks can be complex to unravel, and both state and federal laws apply. Ask the lawyer how many truck accident cases they have handled and what the results were. You need a trucking attorney that has a reputation for winning against trucking companies.
Who Will I Be Working With?
Knowing who you’ll be working with at the law firm is crucial. You’ll have questions about your case as it progresses, and you’ll want to know who your primary contact will be. You might also want to explore whether the person you meet with during the initial consultation will be the one who sees your case through to the end or if some of the work will be given to less experienced associates. This is important because the fee structure might be different depending on who is handling your case. If your case goes to a less experienced lawyer, you should meet whoever is responsible for supervising them.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire You?
When talking about fees, be direct when asking how your attorney will get paid. Most injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t have to pay anything upfront. Once your lawyer recovers compensation from the at-fault truck driver, the trucking company that employs them, or another liable party, they typically deduct their fees from the amount that they’ve recovered for you. This amount will be a percentage of the total recovery. Make sure that you understand everything about the fee arrangement before hiring the lawyer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Will My Case Go to Court?
While most injury claims will be settled through negotiations long before a lawsuit has to be filed, there’s always a chance that the case will have to go to trial to reach a fair resolution. Ask your lawyer if they think this is possible in your truck accident case and if they’re prepared to take that step if necessary.
Hurt in a Truck Accident? Call Christensen Law For Help
Ultimately, the lawyer you choose should be one with who you feel most comfortable. They should put you at ease with the legal process and give you confidence that your case is in the right hands.
At Christensen Law, we are seasoned trucking attorneys who have won tens of millions of dollars from national trucking companies. We provide clients with upfront and transparent answers about the legal representation we can provide. Our firm has a reputation for excellence throughout Michigan, especially with truck accident claims. Founding attorney David Christensen won the highest personal injury verdict in the state —$17.8 million for a woman injured after being hit by a commercial truck in Wayne County.
Get compassion, experience, and expertise on your side. Contact Christensen Law today by filling out a contact form, chatting with us live, or calling one of our offices in Detroit, Southfield, Ann Arbor, or Grand Rapids.
