San Jose, CA, is a large metropolitan area with a significant amount of truck traffic, so accidents involving trucks can occur more frequently than expected. 2021 recorded the highest number of highway truck accident fatalities, with the number standing at 60.
If you get involved in a truck accident in San Jose, consider legal help to protect your rights and get fair compensation. Hiring a San Jose truck crash lawyer specializing only in truck accidents can bring you great results much quicker. After selecting an experienced attorney, you can breathe a sigh of relief as they will take over your case and get you the compensation you deserve.
Keep reading to learn the four things to expect when you consult a personal injury lawyer after a truck accident. You should know what awaits you at your first appointment.
Review Case Evidence
A personal injury lawyer asks specific questions to help understand your case better. You should give a brief history of the accident, giving the date and time, location, and number of parties involved in the accident.
The attorney might also ask detailed questions regarding injuries sustained, medical treatment, and how the accident impacted your life. You need to provide honest answers thorough enough so that your case can be ironclad.
Accordingly, both parties must verify numerous details, and only then will everything be settled. The fact-checker will verify all information available about the truck accident, statements submitted by you (accident witnesses), and photos. They will check the probabilities of winning and losing in different cases.
Explanations of Legal Rights and Options
During the first consultation, the truck accident lawyer explains your legal rights and the available options. They may educate you about the relevant laws that apply to this situation, such as negligence and tort law. Knowing your rights helps make informed decisions along the legal process.
As a victim of a truck accident, you have the right to be safe and free from harm caused by another party’s negligence or wrongdoing. Suppose you have been injured in a truck accident. In that case, you can seek compensation for your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Your lawyer will discuss the probable outcomes of this matter depending on your decision to pursue a lawsuit or settle out-of-court matters beyond your control. They will explain the merit of each option and outline the best course for settlement based on your circumstance.
The measurement of damages and compensation
A truck accident lawyer aims to guarantee a fair settlement for your incurred damages. They will measure the extent of your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, and other economic and property damages resulting from the accident.
Your personal injury lawyer may then ask for more information on the claim, including bits and pieces of additional paperwork. They may be medical reports, employment papers, and estimates of repair costs. Such factors allow an approximation of how much the guilty party has to pay out in compensation.
Discussion of Legal Costs and Fees
You need to understand the legal costs and fees associated with your particular case. It’s the only way to figure out how much money you must pay to an attorney, if necessary. During your initial contact with a lawyer, you will receive a fee schedule for the service.
Clients in conventional situations often find doctors, personal injury attorneys, car accident attorneys, and other plaintiffs’ lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
Most lawyers will only take money on the condition that they get compensation for you. This is a common billing structure because it foregoes surprises in the future. Your personal injury attorney or lawyer can help you understand how much you have to pay them so they can render services for your case for enough time.
It also affirms that all bills have been paid in full before rendering the services needed. Lastly, the attorney must account for the rendered service once it’s over.
Your first meeting with an attorney about a truck accident is critical. It exposes you to discourse about your case, understand what you’re entitled to, and decide on the best course of action.
You have to set realistic expectations. Seek an attorney-client relationship that is well-established from the beginning. This may enable you two to work as a team towards getting the best compensation possible. Remember, picking out a reputable personal injury lawyer with tons of knowledge in handling truck accident claims puts you a step closer to victory.