There is a plethora of personal injury attorneys to choose from. And after a semi-truck accident, it can be difficult to find the best attorney for you while recovering from injuries or grieving the death of a loved one. Many personal injury lawyers advertise using social media, television ads, or billboards claiming they are truck accident attorneys. But that does not mean they are the most qualified or the best to handle your case.
Nationally Recognized Truck Accident Attorney David W. Craig’s most recent book, It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, focuses on educating the public about finding the best lawyer to achieve the outcome they deserve from their case. He believes that knowledge is power, and clients have the right to be informed when making legal decisions.
During his recent feature on an episode of the Lawyer Stories podcast, David discussed what drew him to truck accident law, why he began educating the public about the legal field, and what can happen when you hire the wrong attorney.
Motivation for Practicing Truck Accident Law
When David first began his legal career, he focused primarily on learning litigation. He spent time at the courthouse watching trials and reading books written by trial lawyers in his free time. But he became intrigued by truck accident law while working on a dump truck case where the vehicle went through a building and hit his client.
While pursuing this case, David studied everything he could about truck law, despite minimal resources for that area of law at the time. He enjoyed the challenge of going up against the truck company’s attorneys and uncovering the truth of why the wreck happened. The company ultimately settled on the first day of trial. David found the experience rewarding, leading him to further explore truck accident law and litigation.
Educating the Public Through Books and Podcasts
About eight years ago, David decided to pivot Craig, Kelley & Faultless’ marketing strategy and market directly to consumers, as opposed to primarily getting clients through attorney referrals. He realized that lawyers know a lot about the legal industry, but the general public typically does not.
Knowledge is power, and clients deserve to be informed when making legal decisions. David’s books and podcast, After the Crash, allow audiences to learn more about the legal industry, the trucking industry, truck accident law, and what you need to know when hiring an attorney. Providing people with this information takes lawyers off the pedestal, giving them insider knowledge so they can make the right choices when pursuing their case.
David’s first book, Semitruck Wreck: A Guide for Victims and Their Families, walks readers through the steps to take after a truck wreck and offers insight into how a truck accident case usually works. His second book, It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, is a tool to help people choose the best lawyer for their case, regardless of whether it is personal injury, criminal, or other areas of law.
Choosing the Wrong Attorney
There can be major consequences for choosing the wrong attorney; you could go to jail, lose money in a divorce, or not get the settlement you deserve after an injury. Some people do not realize that anyone who graduates from law school and passes the bar exam can practice any type of law—but that does not mean they are knowledgeable of every area of law. Additionally, some attorneys will heavily advertise that they specialize in a certain area but are not as qualified as they make themselves out to be.
However, a great marketer does not make a good attorney, and a great attorney may not be a good marketer. For truck wreck cases especially, one of the most common mistakes people can make is hiring an attorney that is a major advertiser. Some lawyers advertise themselves as truck wreck attorneys despite never taking on a trucking case. David believes consumers have all the power, and they need to understand what they are looking for in an attorney and how to find the one best suited for them.
Some of the biggest red flags that indicate an attorney may not be the right fit for you could include:
- The attorney is not board-certified
- Your lawyer speaking to you in an intimidating manner
- Making you feel pressured to sign documents without explaining them
- Inability to describe similar cases they have handled
- An outdated office, which can mean a lack of monetary resources
- Lack of a legal team behind them to support caseloads
- No experience teaching, writing, or speaking about their area of law.
Each of these factors can signify that attorney is not properly qualified or capable of handling your case. If you feel you have hired the wrong attorney, there are certain steps that can be taken to improve the situation.
First, you should speak with your attorney and let them know you are unhappy with their services and plan to reach out to other law firms. After discussing this with them, they should be willing to do what they can to make you feel more confident in how your case is handled. If not, you have a right to terminate your contract with them and seek legal assistance from a different attorney. It does not matter if they have already invested time and money in your case. Clients have a right to choose their lawyer, and they have a right to a second opinion.
Injured After a Truck Wreck? 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 that works with investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics who immediately collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired. Additionally, two of the firm’s litigation paralegals are board-certified in truck accident law by the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys.
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 (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). 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.
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