If you were hurt in an Indiana truck accident, you should consider hiring a lawyer to help you seek compensation from the at-fault party. But how do you decide which lawyer to hire? In the difficult days and weeks after a truck accident, you need an experienced and caring attorney to advise you on your legal options and advocate for your rights. Many attorneys seek truck accident cases. But how can you know you’re making the right choice of legal representation if you have been seriously injured?
The attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC discuss five factors to consider when hiring a truck accident lawyer. Two of our founding partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in truck accident law based on their detailed knowledge and experience in this area of law. Keep reading to learn about the factors in mind when seeking legal help. Contact the Indianapolis office of Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC today to speak with a truck accident lawyer.
1- Experience And Expertise In Truck Accident Cases
Truck accident cases are challenging for multiple reasons. Truck accidents frequently inflict debilitating injuries that require expensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Truck accident cases require an investment of time and money by a law firm to hire experts and analyze massive amounts of evidence.Â
Truck accident victims often face trucking company defense lawyers and insurance adjusters eager to save their employers money by minimizing the settlement offers they make. An injured person who is struggling financially might feel pressure to accept an initial offer that does not pay anything close to what their case is worth.
For these reasons, you should work with an experienced lawyer with experience handling truck accident cases. The lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC have handled hundreds of truck accident cases, including cases that went to trial. While the majority of cases end in a settlement, our attorneys prepare every case as if the case is going to court. That allows us to negotiate with the insurance companies from a position of strength.
When considering whether to hire a lawyer, ask the lawyer how many years they have been practicing personal injury law and how many commercial truck accident cases they have handled. Ask about the firm’s willingness to invest resources, time, and money to pursue the case. Preparing a truck accident case may require the expenditure of $100,000 or more by the law firm. You need an established law firm that can afford to invest significant resources upfront to develop a truck accident case.
2- The Past Verdicts and Settlement Results
While experience is essential, it’s only the first half of the equation. You also want a truck accident lawyer who has a proven track record. Ask any lawyer you may hire for examples of previous cases they have successfully settled or won at trial. The lawyer you select should have a record of successful verdicts and settlements that they can discuss with you.
At Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC, our lawyers are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The forums are limited to attorneys who have secured million- and multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, respectively.
3- Contingency Fee, Is This An Option?
Make sure you understand the lawyer’s fee structure and whether they work on a contingency fee basis. That means the lawyer only gets paid if he or she secures compensation for you through a settlement or court verdict. That way, the attorney is fully invested in your success when pursuing your claim. At Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC, we never charge our clients any upfront fees for our representation and only get paid when we win your case.
4- The Reputation of the Lawyer
A lawyer’s reputation matters. Our firm has received many prestigious awards. Our founding partners, David Craig, William Kelley, II, and Scott Faultless of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, have been repeatedly recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. Our attorneys have been awarded Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent Rating, a rating given to attorneys who exemplify the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge and ethical standards. We also have the praise of many former clients.
When considering a particular lawyer, research their standing in the legal community. Look for reviews and testimonials from past clients. If they don’t provide this information on their website, ask them if you can speak with a former client. A good attorney should not be afraid to connect you with former clients.
5- Availability: Effective Communication and Listening Skills
The aftermath of a truck accident can be confusing and frustrating. You need an attorney who is easy to communicate with, listens to your concerns, and responds promptly to your inquiries.
At Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC, we offer each of our clients the personal attention they deserve. We treat clients the way we would want a lawyer to treat an injured family member or loved one. Our attorneys give our clients their personal cell phone numbers so you can reach your attorney anytime during a case.
When you meet with a prospective lawyer, find out how they will communicate with you throughout your case. Ask who specifically will work on your case. If a lawyer plans to pass you along to a paralegal and only shows up to collect the check, look for someone else to handle your case.
Schedule a Free Case Review with Our Experienced Indianapolis Truck Accident Attorneys
Hiring a truck accident lawyer is an important decision. Take your time to research and review potential lawyers’ records. At the end of your search, we are confident you will find that Craig, Kelley & Faultless, LLC has the experience and resources to serve your needs. Contact us today for a free case review, and we’ll tell you more about what we can do for you.