When meeting your truck attorney in Texas for the first time, it’s wise to bring along a list of questions that you want answered. Knowing what to ask your Houston truck lawyer, however, can be difficult; so much happens after an 18-wheeler accident that survivors and/or their family members may not know where to start.
For that reason, we have created a list of questions you can consider asking a prospective truck accident attorney in Texas during consultations and initial meetings. We have also provided tips regarding the kind of answers you may want to watch out for.
At Mithoff Law, our truck accident lawyers and car crash lawyers in Houston have extensive experience handling truck accident cases and representing the interests of those who have been severely injured or who are pursuing a wrongful death case on behalf of a family member who was killed in a crash with a truck.
Read on to learn more about what often makes a quality truck accident attorney in Texas and contact us today to set up a consultation.
1. How much experience do you and your firm have handling truck accident cases?
An experienced truck accident attorney in Texas should have an in-depth knowledge of the regulatory framework applicable to most 18-wheeler operations (such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations). They should also have a deep understanding of the types of catastrophic injuries that are typical in such crashes, and how those affected by such injuries can best plan for their future care.
One of the best ways to tell if a truck lawyer in Texas has the type of experience you’re looking for is to ask whether or not they have worked a case similar to yours and/or they have a record of success for litigating these cases.
Mithoff Law has decades of experience representing the interests of those seriously injured in 18-wheeler accidents. For example, Mithoff Law attorneys Richard Mithoff and Janie Jordan tried an 18-wheeler accident case that occurred on I-10 in Louisiana to a jury in federal court, resulting in a $32 million jury verdict for the firm’s clients.
2. What do you need me to bring to my initial consultation?
If you are speaking to a prospective truck accident attorney in Texas in advance of your first in-person meeting, asking what information the firm needs may help facilitate a more productive conversation. Each case and each law firm is different, but Mithoff Law typically requests that interested clients bring:
- Any photographs of the scene
- Any copies of accident reports
- Any media articles about the crash
- Login and password information for health insurance online portals
- Vehicle insurance information
3. What is the basic process of a personal injury or wrongful death case?
More often than not, people seeking litigation assistance for 18-wheeler accidents have had little to no experience with the legal system in general or truck accident cases in particular. It can be useful for a client to have a basic understanding of the different phases these types of cases go through (discovery, negotiation, etc.) as soon as possible.
4. Who will handle my case?
During your consultation, you may or may not meet with the lawyer(s) who will handle the majority of the litigation of your case. This circumstance tends to be especially true of larger firms that take on a higher caseload. Mithoff Law has kept its team intentionally streamlined. We work as a team and do not pass our clients from lawyer to lawyer.
5. How often do you prepare to case cases to trial?
Clients may wish to ascertain how their prospective truck accident attorney in Texas feels about pursuing settlements vs. going to trial and whether they heavily favor either strategy. At Mithoff Law, we base our strategy on what best serves the interests of our clients and their cases. That said, we firmly believe in being prepared to go to trial and make a point of ensuring that all of our cases are trial-ready.
6. Do you see any potential obstacles in my case?
While unforeseeable obstacles may arise in the future, a knowledgeable truck accident attorney in Texas can use their experience to steer a case clear of avoidable issues at critical junctures for your case.
7. Do you hire subject-matter experts and/or expert witnesses?
Subject-matter experts are often instrumental when holding a trucking company, truck driver, or another party accountable via litigation. Over the years, Mithoff Law has fostered professional relationships with subject experts in a wide array of specialties, from accident reconstructionists to certified life-care planners.
8. How often do you communicate with your clients?
Your personal injury attorney should communicate with you regularly about the status of your case, keeping you informed and up-to-date on any changes or developments they may encounter. While Mithoff Law strives to relieve our clients of the burden of litigation, we also make sure to keep our clients informed of the progress of their case and to involve our clients in all important decisions.
Get your questions answered. Contact a Mithoff Law truck accident attorney in Texas today.
The consequences of an accident involving an 18-wheeler can be extreme. Tractor-trailer combinations typically have much higher mass than passenger vehicles, and the aftermath of a crash is often catastrophic for those involved. Mithoff Law is here to help.
When you choose to be represented by Mithoff Law, you’re choosing to work with some of the best truck accident attorneys in Texas. To set up a consultation, call 713-654-1122 today.
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