What Should You Ask a Truck Accident Lawyer at Your First Meeting?

It can be very intimidating to meet with a lawyer for the first time.  You may not know what to expect or if you will know the answers to their questions.  For many truck accident victims, the most important thing that they are considering is whether the attorney will tell them that they have a good case or not. 

Keep in mind that your potential attorney will work for you.  You will work as a team in most circumstances, but ultimately, it is your case, and you have the decision-making power regarding whether you want to hire that attorney, whether to stay with them, and the overall approach for your situation. 

Your lawyer should work with you to present your case in the best way possible.  You need to have an attorney that is a good fit for what you need.  The only way to determine whether a truck accident lawyer is a good fit is to ask questions.  These questions will often fall in a couple of broad categories. 

What Questions Should I Ask about Hiring that Lawyer?

One of the biggest things that truck accident victims are concerned about is cost.  They assume that lawyers are expensive, and they might not be able to afford a good attorney.  But, in many situations, you can hire a lawyer without paying any up-front fees or expenses.  You will only have to pay your attorney if you win your case in many circumstances.  This agreement is known as a “contingency fee arrangement.” That means that whether the lawyer gets paid is contingent on you winning your case or reaching a settlement. 

Be sure to ask your truck accident lawyer how their fee structure works before you hire him or her.  At John Foy & Associates, our cases are a contingency-fee basis.  That means that you don’t spend any money unless we win your case or you get a favorable settlement. 

Other questions that you may want to consider include:

• What kind of involvement will I have regarding fundamental decisions in the case?
• Who will I work with most often?
• How fast will you get back to me if I have a question or concern?

Responsiveness is one of the most important qualities an attorney or their office can have in truck accident cases. 

What Should I Ask about the Lawyer’s Knowledge or Experience?

It’s especially important to get a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer in truck accident cases.  Truck accidents involve very specific, unique laws that the average car accident case does not consider.  As a result, you should ask the following questions about the lawyer’s experience regarding truck accident cases:

• How many truck accident cases have you settled?
• How many trials regarding truck accidents have you been involved with?
• Have you generally had good success with truck accident cases?
• Have you had a truck accident case involving the particular defendant in my case?
• Do you have the resources to review new or complex trucking laws?
• Are you aware of the specific laws that only apply to truck drivers or trucking companies?
• Do you see any trucking law violations in my situation?

An experienced trucking attorney, like those at John Foy & Associates, will be able to examine the facts of your case and spot violations of law that could lead to the trucking company having additional legal liability.

What Questions Should I Ask about the Specific Facts of My Case?

If you think there are specific facts that make your case unique, bring those up to your lawyer in your initial meeting.  You will be asked to discuss the facts of your situation generally, including the actual accident and your medical care and treatment afterward.  Questions regarding the facts of your case may be something like:

• Does it matter that the truck driver said….?
• What type of doctor should I see for my specific condition?
• What should I do about my job or ability to work in the future?
• What kind of damages are available to someone like me?
• How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
• What is the likelihood that my case will settle?
• What is my case worth?

Talk to a Truck Accident Lawyer for Free

The best way to get your questions answered is to ask.  John Foy & Associates offers a free, no-obligation consultation that you can use to get the legal process started.  Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.