The 3 Steps Paralegals Take to Build Your Case

When hiring an attorney, you want to do as much research possible to ensure they are the best fit for you. But the paralegal that works with your legal team is just as important as your attorney. After all, paralegals handle most of the background work to ensure attorneys are prepared to do their part.

Paralegals typically communicate with clients and help lawyers build their cases in preparation for hearings, trials, and any other needed proceedings. The role that paralegals fill can vary depending on the area of law they work in, as well as the size of the firm that employs them. Overall, paralegals help cases to move forward as quickly as possible to ensure clients get the justice they deserve.

Below are three ways paralegals build cases for clients and attorneys.

1. They put together all the pertinent information for your attorney.

Paralegals are involved with your case as soon as the attorney is hired. They typically help prepare depositions, mediations, and litigations. This requires them to gather all the necessary information surrounding your case to ensure your attorney has all the facts they may need at their disposal.

Once an attorney is hired, the paralegal will begin working on the file.

This will look different depending on the area of law, but for truck accident cases, they will work with the rapid response team and investigators to gather pieces of evidence from the site of the wreck and from the investigating police department. These items can include the police report, in-car camera and body camera footage, and a list of everyone who called 911. They will coordinate the inspection of the vehicle, as well. If there are more witness statements needed for a case, they may hire a private investigator to track down potential witnesses of the accident.

The paralegal will also communicate with the client frequently to gather any other information that is pertinent to the case, such as medical history, ongoing treatment, client’s progress, lost wages information, and other evidence the client may have. If necessary, a paralegal may also go through a client’s social media accounts for details that may be relevant to the case.

2. Request records and speak with experts to support your case.

After the paralegal has done what they can to collect the facts of the case from the client, they will gather records to support the evidence. For truck accidents, this will include client medical records to determine what injuries were caused by the wreck, as well as relevant documentation from the side of the truck driver, such as medical records if applicable, their CDL records and physical exam, and more.

Based on the evidence and the records, your paralegal will coordinate the attorney and expert meetings to get their opinions. If a serious medical issue was caused by the wreck, a medical expert can explain how the injury occurred and what complications it could cause later. Vocational experts can calculate what losses can result from inability to work. Each of these expert opinions will build a strong basis for your case.

Following the discovery process, the paralegal will coordinate with the attorney and the client to check that all the information is accurate and there are no gaps in the details before moving forward.

3. Work closely with clients and attorneys to ensure you have everything you need to win your case.

When a client hires an attorney, they actually do most of their communication about the case with the paralegal. They keep clients up to date and relay any information the client may need. But with semi-truck wreck cases, paralegals build relationships with clients throughout the long legal process and provide them with support, as well.

Semi-truck and other heavy truck accidents can be devastating, and your paralegal is there to help you with the healing and/or grieving process, providing both answers and comfort. They can even connect clients with mental health services that can help you handle the emotional distress following an accident.

If a case must go to trial, they will also communicate with the attorney and guarantee they have all the information and evidence necessary to succeed in the courtroom. While the attorney helps clients prepare to testify, the paralegal coordinates experts and any other relevant individuals that may need to speak in court, puts together visuals and exhibits to present in the courtroom, and may even attend the trial. All these factors are crucial to helping win your case.

After the Crash Podcast: A Legal Resource for Truck Wreck Victims

After the Crash is currently ranked No. 4 in personal injury podcasts. It is the highest-ranked podcast focusing on personal injury resulting from commercial vehicle and truck wrecks.

The podcast was launched nearly five years ago, in the fall of 2020, by attorney David W. Craig. It educates and empowers listeners in a digestible format. It is primarily aimed at the victims and the families of victims of semi or other large truck accidents.

It is David’s goal to equip listeners with the knowledge necessary to navigate this tough time in their lives. Anyone — truck wreck survivors, legal professionals, healthcare workers, and anyone in between — can tune into After the Crash for free.

A new episode is released monthly, featuring a guest with an important perspective. In each episode, David interviews individuals involved in commercial motor vehicle cases, or experts whose skills are crucial to understanding trucking cases.

Episodes are posted on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon and Apple Podcasts, and the Craig, Kelley & Faultless website.

Injured in a Truck Accident? Craig, Kelley & Faultless Can Help

Attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless are prepared and have the experience to help victims and their loved ones involved in commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case. Both attorneys David W. Craig and Scott A. Faultless are board-certified in truck accident law by the NBTA, accredited by the American Bar Association. The firm also has a rapid response team—including investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics—that is sent to the scene of a wreck to collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired.

Their team-centered approach puts client needs at the forefront, and several attorneys will work on your case to achieve the best possible outcome.

Reach out for a free case consultation today at (888) 253-5198 or online.

David W. Craig is board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, accredited by the American Bar Association in Truck Accident Law. He sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families and It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, both written to help people navigate what comes next after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.