How Do You Find the Best Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyers?
by Phoenix Truck Accident Attorney - Mark Breyer
Finding the best Phoenix truck accident lawyers that fit you and your case is not as easy as it may seem. It is definitely not as simple as searching the Internet for lawyers who have proven their work with large settlements and verdicts. While that may be a good start to your search for the top trucking accident lawyers in Arizona, there are many more items that you should consider.
How Are Truck Injury Claims Different than Other Personal Injury Claims?
First, understand that a trucking accident/big rig collision is not just a big car crash. There are many lawyers that can boast impressive track records and that is an important start, but making sure that the lawyer you hire has handled many large injury and wrongful death cases – and can prove it with specific results – is a must but is not enough. There are federal regulations that completely change the nature of a trucking accident case when compared to a car crash case. Making sure that the lawyer you hire has experience in trucking accidents is vital.
Second, make sure you are hiring a lawyer who is licensed to practice in Arizona and that you have an opportunity to interview the lawyer that will work on the case. Because of the nature of trucking accidents, there are some national firms that will advertise that they handle truck accident collisions all over the country. The reality is that they are not allowed to be involved in any case in Arizona without some help from a lawyer who is licensed in the state. Therefore, in many cases these national firms will brag about their results but not make it clear that they will not be allowed to practice in Arizona without having an Arizona lawyer to help them get admitted and stay on the case. Overall, if you find a lawyer from another state who is claiming to be able to help you on an Arizona trucking accident claim, you might want to ask them what local attorney they are going to use for their "pro hac vice" application. Many of these trucking accident firms around the country have impressive results and a lot of experience. There are some good choices, but be wary of who they will rely upon as local counsel. If you hire an out-of-state firm, you are at their mercy as to which Arizona lawyer they hire and whether that lawyer is qualified to handle aspects of the case assigned to them. This is one of the inherent advantages with finding an Arizona lawyer to handle a truck accident collision.
Next, make sure that the lawyer you hire is licensed to practice in federal court. While many trucking accident lawsuits are initially filed in state court, they can also be "removed" from the state court to federal court. Therefore, while many lawyers are licensed with both the federal and state courts, it is not automatic.
Finally, understand that there may be a group of highly qualified lawyers. Once you know that some lawyers meet your criteria, understand the importance of determining if each lawyer is the right "fit" for you. Talk to and interview more than one lawyer. You are going to be working with the lawyer you hire on a very serious, life-changing matter in a trucking accident case for many months or possibly years. The lawyer can have a list of successes from here to the moon . . . but do you trust them? Do you believe that the lawyer will be able to communicate honestly, effectively, and openly with you? Would you trust this lawyer to stand up on your behalf in court based upon your communications and conversations with the lawyer? Hiring a lawyer that you truly feel you trust and respect is just as important as getting a lawyer who has the necessary experience and understanding of Arizona trucking law and trucking cases.
Contact Experienced Phoenix Truck Accident Lawyers, The Husband and Wife Law Team
At "The Husband and Wife Law Team" we are proud to offer a unique combination of a past record of success, experience, and a personal commitment and level of trust we develop with our clients that we feel is unmatched. If you find yourself in the difficult and sometimes overwhelming process of finding a lawyer after a big rig or commercial trucking accident, please give us a call so we can answer your questions and discuss the process with you to help you make the best possible decision.
