Here’s What it Takes to Confront Dangerous Trucking Companies

The harsh, grinding buzz of the jaws of life pulled 17-year-old Dan Ramsdell back into consciousness. His mother lie next to him in the wrecked Volkswagen. He thought she was dead. They’d been struck by a commercial box truck that skidded across the icy road.

Dan’s femur was broken. There were shards of glass in his left eye. He and his mother nearly lost their lives in the wreck.

This experience was Dan’s introduction to the dangers of the commercial trucking industry. It was also his first glimpse at personal injury law. Decades later, he has made a career of suing negligent trucking companies and bringing victims justice.

He recently joined host David Craig on episode 56 of his podcast, After the Crash, to discuss his perspective.

Dan Ramsdell: From Truck Crash Survivor to Top Truck Accident Lawyer

The crash changed Dan’s life. He and his mother were severely injured — all because a commercial motor vehicle driver chose to drive on icy roads. Dan experienced firsthand the fear and hopelessness that truck wreck victims feel.

His family hired an attorney to get compensation for nearly $15,000 in medical bills. Unfortunately, the attorney accepted an inadequate settlement without consulting the family. Dan decided then that he would go to law school and become an attorney who people could trust during the most difficult period of their lives.

At the beginning of his career, Dan worked as a criminal defense lawyer. Then, he shifted his focus.

“I thought, ‘Why don’t I just do what I’m really passionate about and go after interstate trucking companies?’” Dan said.

Get to Know the Guest: Other Accomplishments

Dan founded the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLA), an organization dedicated to eliminating unsafe and illegal commercial trucking practices. He also served as the Elected National Chairman of the American Association for Justice’s Interstate Trucking Litigation Group from 2003-2004. Dan has published dozens of articles and spoken at seminars and conferences across the country.

Dan’s other accomplishments include:

• Founder of Ramsdell Law Firm, which is based in Springfield, Missouri, and represents the victims of commercial motor vehicle accidents across the country
• Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, to which fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers belong
• Named in Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers
• Past elected board member of Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys

Key Takeaways from Episode 56: Exposing Dangerous Trucking Companies

Trucking companies and motor carriers put profits over safety. They value money over human life. Realizing this allowed Dan to hone his practice and protect clients from companies that would take advantage of them.

Here are three lessons that listeners should remember from Dan’s episode of After the Crash.

• Drowsy driving is one of the worst safety violations in commercial trucking.

Though the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration forbids truckers from driving while fatigued, drowsy driving remains a dangerous trend, causing countless wrecks each year. Trucking companies often instruct their drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits and finish a delivery — even if they are exhausted and unfit to drive.

• If you’re the victim of a semi wreck, insurance companies will try to take advantage of you.

Dan warns crash survivors of wolves in sheep’s clothing: insurance adjusters who approach victims and coerce them into accepting unfair compensation. Defense lawyers try to prevent the victims of commercial motor vehicle crashes from suing their clients.

Their strategy? Send a charming insurance adjuster after injured victims and prey on their vulnerability. This is one reason it is vital that crash survivors hire a qualified personal injury/truck wreck attorney as soon as possible.

• Choose a truck accident lawyer you feel confident in and can trust.

When you’re suing a big insurance company or motor carrier, you cannot afford to hire the wrong lawyer. Some attorneys aren’t transparent with their clients. They reject settlement offers without consulting their clients because they think they’re too low.

“The client needs to make that decision, not that lawyer,” Dan said. “It might be too low for the case, but it might not be too low for that client.”

Your lawyer should be there for you. They should prioritize your interests and your well-being. If they don’t, they are the wrong attorney for you.

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

After the Crash is ranked No. 3 in personal injury podcasts. It is the highest-ranked podcast focusing on personal injury resulting from commercial vehicle wrecks.

The podcast was launched nearly five years ago, in the fall of 2020, by attorney David 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. Everyone — 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 and Apple Podcasts, and the Craig, Kelley & Faultless website.

Learn more about Dan Ramsdell and contact him at Dan@RamsdellLaw.com or through his 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 of commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case.

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 (800) 746-0226 or online.

David W. Craig 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, written to help people navigate a terrible situation by answering questions that come 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.