What Makes a Law Firm Well-Qualified for Truck Accident Litigation?
A law firm that’s well-qualified to handle semi-truck accident litigation will typically have these qualities:
- Experience working on trucking accident claims
- Knowledge of federal commercial trucking regulations
- Knowledge of complex insurance laws
- Resources to take on trucking companies and other powerful interests
- Access to accident investigators and expert witnesses
- A record of going to trial, particularly for 18-wheeler cases
Our law firm can help people who are searching for a semi-truck accident lawyer in West Virginia. The bros at Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers would like to explore this topic in more detail and discuss why our firm may be right for you. We’re prepared to take on trucking companies after a big rig wreck.
If you or someone you know was in a trucking accident in or around Charles Town, WV, contact our law firm today. Consultations are free and confidential. You don’t pay legal fees unless we win.
Experience Working on Trucking Accident Claims
When looking for a law firm after a tractor-trailer accident, you’ll want to find attorneys who have worked on these kinds of cases in the past.
Some personal injury firms may be better suited for slip and fall litigation or premises liability claims. Others might focus on motorcycle crash claims but not semi-truck litigation. Do your research to make sure you’ve found a law firm that has the experience and relevant knowledge for commercial trucking litigation.
Knowledge of Federal Commercial Trucking Regulations
Commercial trucking accidents often involve federal laws, particularly FMCSA hours of service regulations. These hours of service regulations are intended to prevent long-haul truckers from spending too much time on the road and suffering from driver fatigue.
As you’re trying to find the right law firm for your semi-truck accident case, try to ask the attorneys at the firm about their knowledge of federal trucking regulations. Follow up that question with how these laws could affect your claim.
Knowledge of Complex Insurance Laws
A collision with a commercial truck will often involve far more complicated insurance issues than a traditional commuter vehicle accident. Interstate trucking companies have federal regulations regarding minimum liability coverage. These numbers could vary depending on the type of cargo being transported.
The team at Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers is prepared to help you navigate these complex matters. The bros are also prepared to negotiate with insurance companies to help clients receive a better settlement offer.
Resources to Take on Trucking Companies
Trucking companies have strong legal teams and vast resources at their disposal. They can leverage these advantages to potentially lower payouts and settle claims for far less than they are worth. This could also intimidate firms from pursuing a trial.
For trucking accident claims, you need a law firm that has the resources to go toe-to-toe with a trucking company. The attorneys at the firm need to be ready to negotiate with insurance companies from a place of strength and be able to go to trial if it’s best for a client’s needs.
Access to Accident Investigators and Expert Witnesses
Building a strong truck accident case requires careful attention and presenting evidence in a compelling way. Good attorneys will have access to collision investigators and expert witnesses. Strong testimony from investigators and expert witnesses can back up all claims and evidence with facts and science.
When working on truck accident cases, the team at Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers can reach out to leading experts in various fields to help strengthen your case.
A Record of Going to Trial
When lawyers are prepared to take a case all the way to trial, they’re less likely to settle for less than what a trucking accident case is worth. It’s important to consider a law firm that has a record of going to court against big companies.
When looking for a good trucking accident law firm in Charles Town, WV, be sure to ask the attorneys if they’ve taken cases to trial.
What Makes Semi-Truck Accident Cases So Challenging?
While we alluded to some of the complicating factors in tractor-trailer crash cases, let’s delve into them in more detail.
Powerful Defense Teams and Insurance Interests
As we mentioned, trucking companies will often have powerful defense teams in place. Negotiating with insurance companies can also be challenging. You need a law firm that knows how much your case is worth and how to negotiate from a place of strength.
Multiple Parties May Be Liable
Big rig crashes could involve multiple liable parties. Semi-truck collisions often result in multi-vehicle pileups, with various drivers and factors contributing to the wreck. Maintenance crews, road conditions, and hiring practices could all play roles in the crash. A well-qualified law firm can identify the liable party or parties and hold them accountable.
Mix of State and Federal Laws
There may be a mix of federal, state, and interstate laws at play in a semi-truck accident case. In addition to knowing hours of service regulations and personal injury laws in West Virginia, a good firm should also be able to identify potential complications based on the state the truck originated from or the home state where a trucking company is based.
Major Damage and Catastrophic Injuries
The sheer size and weight of a semi-truck often mean that people in crashes experience catastrophic injuries. These kinds of injuries often cause permanent disability with long-term effects on a person’s life and livelihood. Vehicles could be totaled, and sometimes these crashes prove fatal. You need a law firm that can consider current damages as well as future expenses and costs that are tied to the big rig crash.
Why You Should Hire the Bros for Your Big Rig Lawsuit Accident
Many law firms in West Virginia can represent you in a trucking accident claim, but few can match the bros and what they have to offer clients.
The team at Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers is committed to 18-wheeler accident survivors and their family members.
- An Established Law Firm Here in West Virginia: The Skinner name has been part of West Virginia’s legal landscape since 1969. John C. Skinner, Jr. was a partner at a firm until he retired in 1981. His sons, Stephen Skinner and Andrew Skinner, took over the firm in 2007. The bros are committed to carrying forward their father’s legacy of legal excellence.
- Decades of Combined Experience Practicing Law: The bros have over five decades of experience practicing law. Their team of attorneys also brings years of legal knowledge to every case. Our firm is a force to be reckoned with.
- We Can Handle Complex Lawsuits: Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers can take on complicated claims that involve tractor-trailers and trucking companies. If multiple parties played a role in a crash, we’ll hold them all accountable to help maximize compensation for our clients.
- Over $100 Million Won for Our Clients: Over the years, the bros have secured a lot of money for clients throughout West Virginia. This money has helped people recover from injuries, deal with the loss of a loved one, and plan for a better and more dignified future. Browse through our past case results to learn more.
Our Firm Is Committed to Clients and Their Needs
The bros know that trucking accident cases are more than just fights for money between lawyers and businesses. You’ve been hurt or are hurting financially, so you need a law firm that understands the problems you’re going through. Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers is that firm.
- Close Personal Attention to Your Case: At Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers, we give every client the close attention that they deserve. If you’re in the hospital or unable to leave your home, our team can come to you for a consultation. We’ll give you our close attention and full accountability as we work on your case.
- Free and Confidential Legal Consultations: After a semi-truck accident, you do not need to see another bill. That’s why our law firm offers free consultations that are totally confidential. We’ll answer your questions, let you know if you have a case, and help you understand your next steps while seeking compensation.
- You Don’t Pay Unless We Win: Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means we do not get paid unless and until we secure compensation for our clients. If we cannot negotiate a settlement or win damages in a trial, you pay no attorney fees.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in West Virginia?
In most trucking accident cases in West Virginia, there is a two-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit. Once that two-year time limit has passed, you will not be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death action, even if you have a legitimate claim.
There are some exceptions to that two-year statute of limitations, however. If a government entity played a role in the trucking accident, you may have a much shorter time to take action.
Regardless of the exceptions, it’s best to speak with the Charles Town trucking accident attorneys at our firm as soon as possible. The bros at Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers will be able to act promptly and get the legal process started.
Don’t Delay: Contact the Bros About Your Semi-Truck Accident Today
If you’ve been in a major trucking accident in Jefferson County, the bros want to hear from you. We’re ready to listen and prepared to fight. To request a free consultation, contact Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers today.