Choosing a lawyer is an important decision, especially when the stakes are high. And there’s nothing more valuable than your peace of mind, health and livelihood – all the things you take for granted until they seem to disappear after an accident with a semi truck. You can gain them all back, but you’ll need the right accident attorney to help you along the way. If you need a reliable trucking accident attorney in Houston, here’s what you need to do.

  1. Look for an attorney: There are a number of sources in and around the Houston area to find attorneys. One of the best places to start is to check with the Houston Bar Association for listings and information on all local attorneys.
  2. Get referrals: Just because an attorney has a big listing in the yellow pages doesn’t mean he or she is particularly talented at what they do. Rather, the best advertisement is word of mouth. So consider asking to speak with other clients of the attorney – they can give you first hand information on the type of client-lawyer relationship you can expect. If you want even more information, check out other aspects of your potential attorney ranging from credentials to win-loss records on Lawyers.com, Get a Referral.com and the Martindale-Hubbell legal directory.
  3. Interview the lawyer: Don’t base your decision solely on other people’s judgments, however glowing the referrals may be. It’s your case on the line after all. Attorneys generally do not charge to talk to you before they take on your case, so it’s best you discuss your case on a face-to-face basis with the attorney. You need to feel comfortable working with him/her if your case is to be a success.
  4. Talk rates: Don’t feel shy discussing your attorney’s fees at the outset. After all, practicing law is just another business. While lawyers generally charge either a flat percentage rate or by the hour, most trucking accident attorneys charge on a contingency basis where they retain a percentage of the settlement they help you win.
  5. Seal the deal in writing: No matter how trustworthy your attorney seems, do not take just his/her word at face value. Get all your agreements on fees and other arrangements in writing, signed by both of you before you agree to take him/her on as your lawyer. Any attorney who isn’t willing to put his/her billing information in writing simply isn’t worth dealing with.