For Missouri families dealing with the aftermath of a commercial motor vehicle wreck, hiring a lawyer is not the first thing they consider. More terrifying questions loom large in their minds, like how to avoid medical debt, what will happen to dependents, or even how to go about funeral arrangements. Lives change in the blink of an eye and people who find themselves in these situations are, understandably, not equipped to deal with it.
The reality of semi-truck and other commercial motor vehicle wrecks is that on the other side of a family experiencing shock is a company who is motivated to accept as little liability as possible.
Even while a family is still in the hospital dealing with the immediate aftermath of the crash, trucking companies and their insurance companies get to work trying to convince you to accept a lowball offer, clean up the crash scene, and hide crucial evidence of what actually happened. They will try to take advantage of people who are not informed about how to protect themselves.
This is why semi and big truck wreck victims need an attorney.
At Craig, Kelley & Faultless, we understand how the trucking industry and the insurance companies work. We know what standards they are supposed to uphold, and we know when they have violated those standards. Over the course of decades, our firm has developed a nationwide team of experts, lawyers, and paraprofessionals who share a dedication to seeking justice for victims of catastrophic trucking accidents. Our attorneys have handled hundreds, if not thousands, of these cases. They have obtained results well in excess of $10 million and have been recognized for their work in this area.
Through his experience as a truck accident attorney, Managing Partner David W. Craig has compiled some information that is crucial to all victims of commercial motor vehicle wrecks. His goal is to empower victims and loved ones by sharing advice designed to protect them as they navigate loss, grief, and a complicated legal process. Most importantly, his hope is that victims understand they do not have to go through this alone.
After the Crash
If your loved one is catastrophically injured or killed in a crash with a semi, you are likely overwhelmed with uncertainties and fear. It is at this moment in time, when you are your most vulnerable, that the predators—unscrupulous trucking companies, insurance companies, and unethical attorneys—attack. They will try to take advantage of the situation.
What is unfortunate is that they will attempt to make you feel like they are on your side. They will act kind and caring. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Be careful who you turn to for help. The consequences of trusting the wrong people following a semi or big truck wreck where serious injury or death occurred can harm your family in the long run.
The first thing to understand is that the trucking companies should never be trusted; they are not your friends. Choosing to trust a trucking company can compromise your legal rights and you may end up with a settlement far below what you rightfully deserve. They will try to take advantage of the situation. What is unfortunate is that they will attempt to make you feel like they are on your side by acting kind and caring. But they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Be careful who you turn to for help. The consequences of trusting the wrong people following a semi or big truck wreck where serious injury or death occurred can have long-term devastating consequences.
Understanding the Cost
You must carefully consider the attorney who will be right for your family because short-sighted decisions can cost you so much in the long-term. A quick settlement, even if the amount sounds like a lot, will never account for the lifelong care that you or your loved one may need, or the lost earnings.
If it’s a catastrophic case, that means there are serious injuries that are being treated now and will continue to be treated and managed—with ongoing medical procedures, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and physical and behavioral therapy—for years to come. The people who have already provided care—or the people who have fronted the money for care—need to be paid. And the people who are going to manage care tomorrow and the next day and long into the future are going to need to be paid as well. A million dollars might seem like a lot when you are in crisis facing immediate bills, but that amount of money, in many cases, covers just the tip of the iceberg.
You may have been told that attorneys are too expensive, and you should just take what the trucking company and insurance company are offering. This is misleading. All lawyers who work in this area work on a contingency fee basis. Under a contingency fee arrangement, the attorney doesn’t get any money unless you get money. You do not have to come up with a dime up front or pay as the case progresses. The attorney advances all the costs of litigation, and that includes hiring and paying the investigators, experts, and other professionals who will work hard to prove your case and how much you are entitled to recover. Because your attorney pays all these people up front, you are only required to reimburse these costs if and after you win.
The great thing about the contingency fee arrangement is that it gives you the opportunity to hire the best attorneys out there, something you likely wouldn’t be able to afford if you were paying on an hourly basis.
What Makes an Attorney Qualified?
It is extremely important to make sure that the attorney you are considering has actually tried trucking accident cases and has enough substance and financial solvency to see your case through to the end. Most cases settle, and there are plenty of attorneys out there who call themselves trial lawyers who have never set foot—except for motions—in a courtroom. They’ve never talked to members of a jury, never given opening or closing arguments or questioned expert witnesses in open court.
The bottom line is that the trucking companies know which lawyers will try cases and which will go for a settlement because they don’t want to go to court. While it’s true that most cases never actually go to trial, it is vitally important that the trucking company knows that your attorney has no reservations whatsoever taking the case through the trial process if they are not offered a fair settlement. Leveraging trial experience can make a big difference in these types of cases. Go with a real trial lawyer, always.
Another key indicator of expertise is whether an attorney speaks at conferences and seminars or publishes books, blogs, and podcasts. If a lawyer is invited to speak frequently about truck wreck litigation, it is a strong sign that their peers recognize them as a leader in the field. Likewise, attorneys who regularly publish educational content are often deeply committed to trucking law and possess the experience, knowledge, and insight necessary to help clients navigate these highly complex cases. These are the attorneys that have developed a level of knowledge and experience that others rely upon for guidance—giving you greater confidence that your case is in capable hands.
Research Attorney Ratings and Reputation
One of the best ways to evaluate a potential attorney is to review independent ratings and peer evaluations from trusted legal organizations.
- Review attorneys on Martindale-Hubbell, a respected legal directory that provides peer and client reviews.
- Check attorney ratings on Avvo. An Avvo 10.0 Superb rating is a strong indicator of legal competence, experience, and professional ethics.
Evaluate Experience with High-Value Cases
Not all attorneys have experience handling complex cases involving substantial damages. It is important to select a lawyer with a proven record of success in significant injury cases.
- Attorneys who sit on the Board of Regents for the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys are part of a prestigious group dedicated to representing victims of truck accidents. They are at the top of their field and have met strict standards of membership.
- Find out whether the attorney is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Membership requires serving as principal counsel in a case resulting in a final judgment, award, or settlement of at least $2 million.
- Ask attorneys directly about the size and complexity of cases they have handled. Truck accident and catastrophic injury cases often require substantial upfront investment. A firm’s resources can directly impact its ability to build and present a strong case.
- Consider the financial stability and overall resources of the law firm. Clients are typically not responsible for paying these costs upfront, so the law firm must be able to finance the litigation. Firms with limited resources may be more inclined to pursue a quick settlement rather than fully develop and litigate the case. These cases often require significant expenditures for:
- Expert witnesses
- Accident reconstruction specialists
- Investigations
- Medical and technical analysis
- A large firm is not always the best fit. Although bigger firms often have significant resources, the sheer number of clients they handle may limit their ability to offer the individualized care, accessibility, and support your family needs during a difficult time.
When selecting an attorney, look beyond advertisements and initial impressions. Focus on objective ratings, proven experience with large cases, and the firm’s ability to invest the resources necessary to achieve the best possible outcome.
A Four-Decade Perspective: David W. Craig on Representing Clients Through Their Most Difficult Moments
“For over forty years, people have allowed me the privilege of representing them during some of the worst and most difficult times of their lives,” says David. “They have trusted me with their future. They have become close to me and the other members of our law firm. For this, I am truly humbled.” David’s passion for his work as a truck accident attorney comes from the connections he has made with victims and the profound knowledge that his work can truly change people’s lives.
David’s hope is that despite unimaginable hardship and legal battle, he is able to show truck accident victims and their families that there is a way to survive this tragedy, that you do not have to go through this alone, and that while life will never be the same, the future can be bright and more secure than you can imagine at this moment.
If you need more information, David’s book Semitruck Wreck: A Guide for Victims and Their Families is available on Amazon, as a downloadable pdf on the Craig, Kelley & Faultless website, or email David and he will mail you a copy. “You are the reason I decided to write this book,” David says. His goal is to empower victims and loved ones by sharing advice designed to protect them as they navigate loss, grief, and a complicated legal process.
If Your Family Has Been Affected by a Catastrophic Truck Accident, 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. As David has said, “We don’t just handle truck accident cases. We specialize in these cases.”
Our Missouri attorney Christopher M. Barry was included in 2026’s edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, reflecting his professional reputation and results. 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.
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 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. 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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