You may have heard the saying, “There is no such thing as a dumb question.” When you have been hit by a commercial truck and are exploring your legal options, there truly are no concerns you shouldn’t address with your truck accident lawyer.
That said, while you may know that you want to acquire as much information as possible, you might not be certain about where to begin. Your attorney will encourage you to discuss any and all concerns you have about your case, but certain queries will provide you with greater insight than others.
Read the guide below to learn about the precise information you should obtain from your attorney. You’ll also come to understand how you can help your lawyer get to the heart of important issues in your case.
How Much Is My Case Worth?
First, ask your truck accident lawyer how much compensation you can reasonably expect to recover with a successful claim. An honest assessment of the monetary value of your case makes it easy to discuss any settlement offers that you might receive once your claim is filed.
You might also feel disappointed with a settlement offer or judgment from a court if you do not have realistic expectations. It is therefore crucial to ask this question and to do so early in your case.
Your truck accident lawyer should describe and place a value on your economic damages. These damages are compensation for any bill or expense you incurred because of the crash, including any:
Hospital expenses or bills
The cost of an emergency room visit
Follow-up care
Lost wages if your accident prevented you from working
Your attorney should be able to estimate these damages with some precision.
Another topic to discuss with your lawyer is non-economic damages, which are compensation for intangible losses or “costs” that are difficult to quantify. Examples of non-economic damages include compensation for your mental anguish and trauma and for having to experience physical pain and discomfort.
Punitive damages are unavailable in most cases, but they may be in yours. If your attorney does not discuss these damages with you, ask about them. If you are able to pursue them, they can add significant value to your case. After your lawyer answers this question, you may not have an exact dollar-and-cent figure for how much your case is worth. However, there should be a close range of damages that you could reasonably expect to recover.
How Likely Am I to Win?
Your truck accident attorney cannot guarantee or promise a specific outcome. There are simply too many variables in any case and too many unknown factors that make it impossible to promise a certain result with 100% certainty.
But asking this question gives your attorney an opening to discuss the aspects of your case that help and hinder your claim’s success. For instance, perhaps you were also partly negligent while driving. Or maybe you did not immediately seek medical treatment or ignored a doctor’s order to stay home and rest.
No matter what harmful factors are at play in your case, your attorney should note them. It’s important that they discuss how these elements might impact your overall chance of winning.
The goal of asking this question is to develop a realistic view of the challenges you may face in recovering compensation. A sensible outlook in your case can help you avoid frustration when a settlement offer does not come quickly or if your attorney must engage in extended negotiations with the other party.
What Can I Do to Help My Case?
Succeeding in a truck accident lawsuit is a team effort. While your truck accident lawyer will do most of the work of filing your claim, negotiating with the other party, and presenting your case in court, you have responsibilities as well.
You should, at a minimum, communicate with your lawyer, keep doctors’ appointments, and provide certain documents and records. In addition, make sure to refer all questions or communications from others to your lawyer.
Depending on your case, your attorney may have other tasks for you to do while your claim is pending. It’s crucial to understand exactly what these tasks entail and to keep your attorney informed as you complete them.
Where to Find a Quality Truck Accident Lawyer in South Carolina
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