Collisions with semi-trucks can cause catastrophic injuries. The physical and psychological trauma of an accident can have major effects on your ability to earn a living and to perform regular daily activities we often take for granted. This is why it’s so important to speak with a truck accident attorney about legal options.
But how do you choose a truck accident lawyer you can trust and who will do what’s best for you and your family? The team at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. has provided a guide on how to find the right tractor-trailer attorney where you live.
If you’re in the Merrillville area and need a truck accident lawyer, we can help. To request a free consultation with our attorneys serving Lake County, contact our law firm today. You can also reach our law office by phone at (219) 883-2852. We’re ready to listen and to help.
Why You Should Choose a Truck Accident Attorney Carefully
If you’re looking for a good attorney who handles 18-wheeler crash lawsuits, you shouldn’t just ask ChatGPT for recommendations about the best big rig accident lawyers near you. You need to take time to do some research and carefully determine if an attorney is right for you and your case.
Here are a few reasons why you need to do your research as you make this decision.
- You Need to Find a Lawyer You Can Trust: Even if your truck accident case settles out of court instead of going to trial, it can take several months for a case to resolve. You need to hire a lawyer you can trust to provide regular updates, tell you the truth (both good and bad), and look out for your best interests.
- You Need Someone Who Can Tell You How Much Your Case Is Worth: Lawyers who work on truck accident cases can add up your medical expenses, repair bills, and lost wages. They can also help you consider changes in your future ability to earn a living and overall quality of life. This can help maximize compensation after a large truck collision.
- You Need to Find an Attorney Who Fits Your Budget: A lawsuit can be expensive, and you deserve to hear about the cost of an attorney’s legal services from the outset. This ties back into finding someone you can trust. A trustworthy attorney will be transparent about their costs, fees, payment expectations, and how long and complicated your case may be.
Ask Your Friends, Relatives, and Colleagues for Recommendations
Do you know someone who needed to hire a truck accident lawyer after a crash? Reach out to that person in your network and ask them if they’d recommend that attorney to you. You can also ask that person if they have advice about the legal process. Your friend or colleague may mention certain things they’d do differently.
Reaching out to someone you know for a lawyer recommendation allows you get a name or a few names from people you trust.
Search for Potential Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers Online
There are many different options to consider while looking for a good lawyer online. Here are a few ways you can find attorney recommendations and then refine your list of names.
Use Google, ChatGPT, and Other Search Tools
Search engines and AI searches are great ways to get some recommendations for attorneys. Consider search queries like “Who are the most experienced truck accident lawyers in Merrillville?” or “What law firms in Merrillville handle truck accident cases?”
The recommendations from Google, ChatGPT, and other search tools should offer some promising options and names.
Check with the Indiana State Bar Association (ISBA)
There are public resources through the Indiana State Bar Association (ISBA) that can help you find a good local lawyer for your truck accident case. You can also consider browsing the Indiana Judicial Branch for disciplinary actions against lawyers. This can help you note attorneys who have red flags against them for professional misconduct.
Use Online Legal Directories
In addition to the ISBA, there are many reputable legal directories that can help you find truck accident lawyers in your area. Visit sites like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, and Nolo to see who is listed. These directories often have reviews for lawyers that can help you refine your search for the right attorney.
Do More Research on Potential Law Firms and Attorneys
Once you have some promising lawyer names and law firms, make sure you do your research on them. Here are a few pointers on how to go about this process.
Visit Their Websites
Check out the websites for potential truck accident lawyers and law firms. Browse through the content and its messaging, check out videos on the site, and read the attorney bios. This should give you a good sense of what the firm values and how they may approach your truck accident case.
Check Out Their Social Media and Video Accounts
Plenty of firms and attorneys have a presence on social media. Visit their LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram accounts to get more information about the firm and various lawyers. This is a good way to deepen your understanding of who they are, what they value, and how they handle cases and work with actual clients. Some firms also have YouTube and TikTok accounts. Check out their videos if they do.
Read Testimonials and Reviews
Read the client testimonials on the website and check out reviews that have been left on Google and various legal directories. This should give you a great sense of how clients feel when working with the lawyer or the law firm. The positive and negative reviews can offer a lot of valuable insights into the client experience.
Take the reviews with a grain of salt, of course, and be sure to read the actual review rather than just look at the star rating.
Look Up the Lawyer or Law Firm in the News
Some law firms or lawyers may have been interviewed by local or national news outlets. This could speak to their reputation and knowledge on certain subjects that may be relevant to your case. Conversely, the news may have reported about misconduct or ethical issues at a law firm, which can be a great way to spot red flags.
Schedule Consultations with the Most Promising Lawyers
Once you’ve narrowed your options down to several good truck accident attorneys and law firms, you should schedule time for a consultation. This direct interaction with a lawyer or team members at a firm can help you make the best possible decision regarding legal representation.
Ask the Questions That Matter to You
The legal consultation is your chance to ask questions that are relevant to your truck accident case, your needs, and how an attorney can help you. Here are a few questions you may want to ask in addition to sharing what happened in the collision:
- How long have you been practicing law?
- Have you handled any semi-truck accident cases like mine?
- Have you worked on any notable cases that involved commercial trucking accidents?
- What are your legal fees/how much do you charge for your services?
- What kind of communication can I expect from you, and how frequently will I receive updates?
- How long will it take to resolve my truck accident case?
There are no bad questions to ask at this point. The most important thing is getting the information you need to make an informed decision and to get a sense of who the lawyer is and how they can help you.
Consider How the Lawyer Makes You Feel
Take a moment to consider how the truck accident lawyer made you feel while you were interacting with them.
- Did they seem honest and trustworthy?
- Were they upfront about how much their services would cost?
- Did they make you feel comfortable?
- Did you feel heard?
- Can you see yourself relying on this person to look out for you and your family?
Professional memberships, credentials, and past case results are important, but so is your gut feeling when you’re interacting with a lawyer. Keep that in mind as you’re making your final choice for legal representation.
Pick a Good Truck Accident Lawyer Within the Statute of Limitations
There is a deadline to file a legal action. In the state of Indiana, you have to file a lawsuit within two years of the date of the large truck crash. Once that two-year deadline has passed, you will not be able to file a lawsuit.
While there are some exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations, it’s in your best interests to speak with our Merrillville truck accident attorneys as soon as possible. We can let you know if you have a viable personal injury or wrongful death claim and get the litigation process underway.
Why Choose Our Law Firm for Your Semi-Truck Accident Case
There are many law firms that help accident victims all over Indiana, but people in Merrillville trust Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. Local residents know our reputation and how we’ve helped working people in this part of the state.
Here are a few key reasons why people trust our law firm after they’ve been in a serious tractor-trailer crash.
- A History of Legal Excellence in Northwest Indiana: Our law firm was founded in 1988 to serve as guardians of justice in Northern Indiana. We’ve had a long history of helping working families throughout the Hoosier State after major tractor-trailer accidents.
- More Than 75 Years of Combined Experience: Our attorneys have over 75 years of combined legal experience. Our team brings that knowledge to every case that comes our way.
- A Team Approach to Every Case: When you work with Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., our attorneys collaborate on your case. This team approach helps us identify the best possible approach to your trucking accident claim.
- 24/7 Availability for Our Clients: Our law office takes calls 24/7, and our attorneys always get back to clients as soon as possible. Whenever questions or concerns about your case come up, we’re here to provide answers and reassurance.
- Free Legal Consultations: After a big rig crash, the last thing you need is another bill. Your consultation with us is free. We’ll take time to listen to you because your voice deserves to be heard.
- Representation on a Contingency Fee Basis: Our lawyers operate on a contingency. That means if we can’t secure a settlement or win in court, you don’t have to pay. Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. succeeds only when our clients do.
Contact Our Merrillville Truck Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been in a collision with an 18-wheeler, you need to get in touch with our attorneys as soon as possible. We can hold negligent trucker drivers and trucking companies accountable for what happened. To request a free consultation with our Merrillville semi-truck accident lawyers, contact our law firm today. You can also reach Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. by phone at (219) 883-2852.