Choosing an attorney after a serious truck accident is an important decision. With so much legal advertising, it can be difficult to know which attorney has the experience, resources, and team needed to handle a complex commercial motor vehicle case.
Truck accident cases can involve extensive investigations, complicated evidence, and multiple parties. That makes experience especially important when evaluating legal representation. An attorney’s background in handling commercial motor vehicle cases can make a meaningful difference in how a case is investigated, prepared, and presented.
Nationally recognized truck accident attorney David W. Craig has represented victims of commercial motor vehicle accidents for more than 40 years. David has been ranked as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association and awarded the Thurgood Marshall Fighting for Justice Award by APITLA at a national truck accident attorney conference in St. Louis, Missouri. He is on the Board of Regents for the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires that you be board certified in truck accident law). He has dedicated his career to representing truck accident victims. Throughout his career, he has seen firsthand how the right legal strategy, thorough investigation, and dedicated representation can help families pursue the recovery they need to move forward.
One of David’s core beliefs is that building a strong truck accident case takes more than one person. It requires a skilled team working together, from investigators who gather and preserve critical evidence to file managers who help keep a case organized throughout the legal process. In this article, find out the impact a well-rounded legal team can make on a truck accident case.
Finding a truck accident attorney
The search for the right attorney after a truck wreck can be difficult. We come across many advertisements a day for personal injury lawyers, but it’s hard to sort through the noise to find someone who will be a good fit for your case. When considering an attorney, you need to look beyond the advertising. Consider the attorney’s experience, the complexity of cases they handle, and whether they have the team and resources to fully investigate and pursue your claim.
A strong place to start is with David’s two books. The first one, Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families is written to provide helpful information about every step of the process following a serious accident involving a commercial motor vehicle. His second book, It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, provides the reader with an insider’s perspective on the legal field, and how to sort through marketing noise to find an attorney who is right for you. Both books are available as a free pdf download on the Craig, Kelley & Faultless website or for purchase on Amazon.
If you search the internet, you want to look at online tools like Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, or Super Lawyers, which give you some insight into who is qualified. You can also learn a lot about a law firm by exploring their website to find out more about their qualifications. If an attorney seems like a potential good fight for your legal needs, it’s worth scheduling a free consultation. Consultations are an opportunity to talk face-to-face and get a sense for who a lawyer is and what they can do for you. To ensure you get the full picture, you should ask questions such as:
- Have you ever handled a case like mine? Have you ever tried one?
- When was the last time you went to trial and what was the result?
- How often will we meet to discuss my claims?
- What percentage of your work is focused on semi-truck crashes or accidents involving other types of commercial motor vehicles?
- What is the cost associated with hiring your firm? How will you be paid, and are there additional costs?
- What if I have an issue or problem when your office isn’t open?
- Have you lectured or presented at legal conferences on the area of law that I need?
- How soon will you hire experts, and what types of experts will you hire?
- Who makes up the team that would work on my case?
One of the most important things to discuss in your consultation is the legal team that will work on your case. Truck accident cases are extremely complex, and they require a highly skilled team with the experience, knowledge, and resources to handle your case. There can be several parties liable for the wreck or insurance coverage issue. Extensive discovery is often necessary to build a case, and intensive trial preparation may be needed if those involved cannot agree on a settlement.
The many moving parts of a truck wreck case should be managed by a truck accident attorney. However, your attorney needs a legal team that is well-rounded, with knowledge and expertise in truck accident law and the resources needed to support you throughout the legal process.
What Makes a Well-Rounded Legal Team?
Your lawyer is only as strong as the legal team backing them, meaning their strength comes from the team with which they work. Often, attorneys work with paralegals. Craig, Kelley & Faultless has paralegals that are Board Certified in truck accident law by the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA). For complex cases involving commercial motor vehicles, however, a team should consist of more than that. A truck accident lawyer should work with engineers, mechanics, reconstructionists, private investigators, social workers, videographers, and other types of experts that can ensure the needs of each client are adequately met. Having such a well-rounded team helps develop cases from the ground up, working to preserve evidence, take care of administrative tasks, and ensure your attorney is prepared to win your case.
The various members of a lawyer’s team make a difference in what aspect of the case are prioritized. A rapid response team, for example, can help investigate a crash and preserve critical evidence, while social workers and client care coordinators can provide support throughout the emotional challenges that often follow a serious accident. A settlement videography team can help clients tell their stories authentically, and structured settlement professionals or financial advisors can help protect their financial future past the resolution of a case.
A well-rounded legal team brings together professionals with different skills and perspectives, giving clients comprehensive support from the initial investigation through the legal process and beyond. Victims of commercial motor vehicle accidents deserve the support of an experienced and compassionate team that is able to invest in your recovery and do everything possible to protect your future.
A well-rounded, qualified team to represent truck accident victims
At Craig, Kelley & Faultless, we are proud of the hardworking members of our team, who are committed to client service and always working on improving themselves. Both the rapid response team and the legal team are given the opportunity to further their education by attending trucking conferences. In fact, several members of the group attended the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA) Symposium in Texas last year so they could expand their expertise by learning from some of the best in the field. We will be sending another group of lawyers, paralegals, and paraprofessionals this year to the ATAA Symposium in Denver. At Craig, Kelley & Faultless, we believe consistent investment into our legal team helps us provide better-quality service to the victims of commercial motor vehicle wrecks.
Injured After a Truck Wreck? Craig, Kelley & Faultless Is Ready to Help
Craig, Kelley & Faultless is a personal injury law firm handling semi and other truck accident cases in St. Louis, Missouri, and throughout the nation. The firm has lawyers licensed in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. These experienced lawyers have dedicated their careers to helping victims and their loved ones involved in commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case. The firm also has a rapid response team that works with investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics who immediately collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired.
Our Missouri attorney Christopher M. Barry was included in 2027’s edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, reflecting his professional reputation and results. He is a member of the ATAA, the premier truck personal injury lawyer’s group. Chris believes that the civil justice system, particularly the right to a jury trial, plays a critical role in holding negligent parties accountable. He represents injured individuals exclusively and is committed to helping clients navigate difficult circumstances with clear guidance, responsiveness, and strong advocacy. He is also licensed in Illinois and Indiana.
The Craig, Kelley & Faultless St. Louis office is located at 5585 Pershing Ave Suite 110, St. Louis, MO 63112, available by appointment only. Reach out for a free case consultation at (314) 367-2661or visit https://www.ckflaw.com/st-louis/.
David W. Craig and Scott A. Faultless sit on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, which requires Board Certification in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. David is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. 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. David and Scott are licensed to practice law in Indiana and both have been admitted to handle trucking cases pro hac vice in many states, including Missouri.
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