When you are driving trucks as a profession, it is important to remember the many liabilities that come with having a career in the truck driving industry. Additionally, if you have a fleet of trucks, you as an employer have to take into account what would happen when and if an employee gets into a truck accident. It is wise to have a good attorney on your speed dial so that you can resolve the legal matter as soon as possible.
The Key Qualities of Attorneys That Handle Truck Accident Claims
The ideal truck accident attorney in San Antonio will be an attorney who has served in a company that specializes in the trucking or construction industry for many years. The reason for this is that they will have connections to the insurance industry that will be helpful to your prospective truck accident claim.
If you are a truck driver, you should have a truck accident attorney that you consult with. There are many trucking accidents while driving at night, and you could be held liable for negligence. Your employer could also be held liable for negligence through the theory of respondeat superior. Respondeat superior means that your supervisor can be liable for your negligence if you are in an accident during your work day. This is important to note because if you are liable, then your employer could also have possible rights to terminate your employment. Having pertinent legal knowledge about your rights as a truck driver is crucial to your success in the industry.
Some Common Red Flags of an Unethical Attorney
Your prospective truck accident attorney has to have industry experience in this particular field. If they do not, you should ask them to refer you to a colleague who does. There are certain protocols that are different when processing civil versus criminal claims. If the attorney is not versed in civil cases and tries to misrepresent that they are, then it is wise to look elsewhere for your upcoming case.
Some attorneys charge high taxes based on the percentage of the fees that they win in your damages award. This is unethical, because if you are the one at fault, your attorney should not be capitalizing on the fees that you have to pay someone else in damages. If you see any clause in the contingency agreement pertaining to this, then it is wise to consider hiring an alternative attorney.
In the end, you will find the right attorney for your case. This will happen through word of mouth and proper research. That being said, if you consult experts or in house counsel in the construction or insurance fields, you are going to have better luck in expediting your search and a better chance of getting the results you are seeking in your case. Visit Law Office of Jesse Hernandez for more information.