Semi-truck accidents can leave innocent victims with serious injuries, stacks of unpaid medical bills, and the inability to work and support their families. There is no debate; the driver at fault for the collision should pay for the damage they caused. However, innocent truck accident victims often receive little to no financial relief unless they hire a semi-truck accident attorney to fight for their legal right to compensation.
The benefits of hiring a truck accident attorney to represent you after a crash are countless:
- A good semi-truck accident attorney knows how the trucking industry rules and regulations work and can spot violations when they happen.
- A great lawyer will put your case first and will return your calls.
- Most importantly, the truck accident lawyer you choose should give you the best chance to win your case.
But how do you know which semi-truck accident attorney to hire? You must ask a prospective semi-truck accident attorney five questions before hiring them after a crash.
Have you handled truck accident cases before?
If the answer to this first question is “no,” then you should continue searching. A good semi-truck accident attorney will have years of experience representing clients in truck accident cases.
No matter how intelligent or friendly the prospective attorney is, you should think twice before hiring an attorney without past experience with trucking accident cases. State and federal trucking industry rules and regulations are complex.
It can take years and countless mistakes to truly learn all there is to know. Even if an inexperienced attorney wins the case on your behalf, the win will probably take much longer than if you had hired an experienced attorney because your attorney will have to learn the relevant trucking laws before starting any real work on your case.
If you hire an attorney with experience handling truck accident cases, your case will move much more quickly.
The semi-truck accident attorneys at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault Co. L.P.A. have years of experience representing clients in semi-truck accident lawsuits. We can get started on your case immediately because we are already familiar with trucking industry rules and regulations, and we know the best strategies for maximum compensation recovery.
What were the outcomes of some of your recent truck accident cases?
Not only should your prospective attorney have experience handling truck accident cases, but they should also have a winning track record. After all, experience means nothing if the attorney cannot get you the compensation you deserve. Although every case is different, an attorney with a strong win record indicates that they have the skills and drive necessary to get the best possible results for your truck accident case.
The semi-truck accident attorneys at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault Co. L.P.A. have helped truck accident victims in Ohio and Michigan, including:
- $650,000 for a construction worker who sustained injury after a truck overturned on an Ohio Turnpike entrance ramp
- $1,000,000 for a retired autoworker who suffered an amputation and other serious injuries when a truck swerved and hit his vehicle head-on
- $600,000 runs for a client who was injured and required to undergo multiple surgeries when a semi ran a red light and caused a collision
You should also make sure that your clients are happy with an attorney. Before scheduling a meeting with an attorney, read their client testimonials to understand the lawyer better.
Are you familiar with FMCSA regulations?
Trucking industry regulations are complicated. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is a federal agency that imposes rules and regulations on all semi-truck drivers in the country. These rules cover a variety of topics, including:
- How long a truck driver can drive without a break
- How many hours a driver can drive in a day or week
- Disallowing mobile phone use by drivers
- How often do most companies inspect semi-trucks
- Proper maintenance and repair of semi-trucks
- How long carriers must keep important records
Violations of these rules can lead to severe accidents. Proving that the defendant was in violation of one or more of the FMCSA’s rules will go a long way to proving liability.
The semi-truck accident attorneys at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault Co. L.P.A. are familiar with FMCSA regulations and know how to spot violations.
Will you write a spoliation letter to the truck carrier to preserve evidence?
It is possible for trucking companies to destroy valuable pieces of evidence before trial legally. This is because FMCSA only requires trucking companies to keep records of drivers’ logbooks, vehicle maintenance records, and vehicle inspection reports for a set period. Once that time has passed, the company can destroy these records.
However, you can ensure the preservation of these documents through a spoliation letter, which requires the trucking company to keep and protect all documents related to your case.
The semi-truck accident attorneys at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault Co. L.P.A. will investigate your case, find out exactly what documents you need, and will send the defendant a spoliation letter protecting that evidence.
If a potential attorney does not know how to send this letter, you may lose vital evidence for your case.
How will you help me value my damages? Do you work with medical experts?
After an accident, the party at fault should compensate you for more than just the face value of your medical bills. A good semi-truck accident attorney will know how to work with medical and financial experts and establish hard-to-value damages, such as long-term effects and pain and suffering.
The semi-truck accident attorneys at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault Co. L.P.A., work with medical experts to value damages by also looking at physical therapy costs, additional surgeries, pain and antibiotic medication, and any additional pain and suffering that may continue for the rest of your life.
No matter which attorney you hire after a semi-truck accident, you should be comfortable with their answers to these five questions. Before you decide who should represent you in your time of need, make sure that the attorney meets the right qualifications.
Please feel free to contact Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault Co. L.P.A. at any time for more information about how we can help after a wreck. We are happy to answer any and all questions you might have to convince you that we are the right semi-truck accident attorneys for you.
Call us today: 419-843-6663.
Drew became a member of Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault in 2008 and has dedicated 39 years to the practice of law, specializing in personal injury, medical malpractice, and insurance bad faith claims. He holds licenses in both Ohio and Michigan and has successfully represented clients in a variety of legal settings, including U.S. District Courts, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Claims Court. Drew is widely regarded for his unwavering commitment to seeking justice on behalf of his clients and rectifying the injustices they have faced.
