Notes from Episode 53 of After the Crash Podcast
“When we are in trial, I want everybody on my team to have the mindset of this,” John Romano said. “We are invincible in the moment of this case.”
Fifty years of experience have taught the Florida-based attorney that attitude is everything. Experience, resources, and a strong team are necessary, but they fall short if a lawyer lacks a positive attitude.
John Romano is the guest on this month’s episode of After the Crash, a podcast designed to help listeners understand the ins and outs of commercial vehicle wreck cases. David W. Craig, a nationally recognized truck accident attorney, and John Romano, one of the country’s best trial lawyers, discuss the things that are most important to know before hiring an attorney.
Why Choosing the Right Truck Accident Attorney Matters
You wouldn’t head to a dermatologist’s office to treat a broken ankle, or an orthopedic surgeon for a skin condition. Though all doctors go through medical school, they train in different fields and dedicate their careers to a specific area.
Similarly, all attorneys must understand the law and justice system, yet their focuses may vary greatly. For example, truck-wreck attorneys like the ones at Romano Law Group and Craig, Kelley & Faultless, though licensed to practice any type of law, are better suited for commercial vehicle cases than divorces.
As John said, “When you have an important case — and every case, to you, when it happens, is the case of a lifetime — don’t put that in the hands of the wrong person.”
Look for an attorney who practices the kind of law you need and who is board certified in that area by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. As a lawyer representing victims of semi-truck wrecks, David Craig is board certified in Truck Accident Law. John Romano is board certified in Civil Trial Law.
Certification signals to clients that an attorney has been screened, recommended and tested. It is not something that can be bought; it must be earned.
Essential Questions to Ask When Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer
Though you’ll want to find a lawyer as soon after your accident as possible, John warns clients against being too hasty.
Instead of doing a quick Google search, finding a phone number and dialing it, take a few minutes more to research the attorney and firm you’re contacting. Then, once you have made sure this attorney has experience and is board certified, you’ll need to talk to them.
When you sit down and speak with the lawyer, either by phone or in person, look at it as an interview. Before you hire this person, you need to be sure they are the right candidate. You might ask:
- Will this attorney handle your case, or will they pass it onto a younger, less experienced attorney?
- What is their experience in recent months and years handling this kind of case?
- What case results have they achieved?
Beyond this, you’ll want to gauge who this person is as a human being, John said. What matters to them? Are they temperamental or arrogant?
If the attorney is unwilling to answer your questions, take note of that. A great lawyer maintains transparency with the client and will answer any question they ask. We want our clients to feel comfortable with us. You should never feel dumb, intimidated or looked down upon.
Ask lawyers about their team. A good leader surrounds themself with people who challenge them and bring a different perspective. The more people bringing fresh ideas to your case and devoting energy to it, the better.
Lastly, if you ever find yourself waiting days or weeks for a response, choose a different attorney. A trial lawyer, John said, is similar to an on-call surgeon: They must be available whenever they are needed.
Why a Positive Attitude Is Crucial in a Truck Accident Attorney
“When I meet people, I go on the assumption they’re good,” John told David. “I believe in the goodness of people and things and all that we do…I don’t look at it the other way.”
Some may say he’s too optimistic. But trial lawyers like John know that a positive attitude is the only way to conquer a difficult case. A lawyer who sees only the problems, who is focused on the reasons they might lose, is defeated before they ever enter the courtroom.
Your attorney should not burden you with the case’s obstacles — it’s their job to handle them. If you have just endured a horrible wreck with a semi-truck, your focus should be on recovery. A lawyer with a good attitude will bring you and your family comfort, not add more stress.
A case involving commercial vehicles, motor carriers and big insurance companies may last several years. Make sure your attorney is someone energetic, passionate and respectful. You’ll be spending a lot of time together.
The Role of Organization in Winning Truck Accident Cases
Truck-accident attorneys know that, between witness accounts, accident reconstruction, police reports, medical history and all of a case’s other parts, things can get lost. However, when a person has been seriously injured or killed because of a driver’s negligence, there is no room for error.
Your lawyer should have an organizational system in place — something John refers to as a “playbook.” Though cases can be unpredictable, having a structure that the attorneys and their team follow will help keep everyone on the same page.
A checklist or playbook demonstrates that a lawyer is detail-oriented and that nothing will fall through the cracks. Throughout the course of the case, the team can tweak the plan as needed, and you can rest assured knowing the law firm you chose is ready for anything.
With organization comes a reliable network. Experienced injury attorneys have contacts that can support your case, including:
- Trial consultants
- Accident reconstructionists
- Vocational experts
- Commercial vehicle experts
- Medical life care professionals
Introducing these folks to your case early on is important and will further strengthen your attorney’s team.
Expert Advice for Finding a Top Truck Accident Lawyer
Everything discussed in this article — and even more — comes from this month’s episode of After the Crash. Guest John Romano is one of the country’s top trial lawyers, inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame in 2016.
John has authored three textbooks and hundreds of articles. He has served as president of several organizations, including The National Trial Lawyers and the Florida Justice Association.
You can reach this month’s guest, attorney John Romano, at Romano Law Group, and the podcast’s host, David Craig, at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC.
Listen to Episode 53 on Apple or Spotify Podcasts or view it on YouTube.
Why Choose Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for Your Truck Accident Case
Attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless represent clients in Indianapolis and St. Louis. They also handle heavy-truck wreck cases across Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Iowa, and Tennessee, where the firm has licensed lawyers.
xCraig, Kelley & Faultless has 35+ years of experience representing victims of wrecks involving big rigs, and two of the firm’s partners have achieved board certification in Truck Accident Law.
Contact them today for a free case consultation at (800) 746-0226 or with the online form.
David W. Craig is a nationally recognized truck accident lawyer who 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. He was the recipient of the National Thurgood Marshall “Fighting for Justice” Award for his work helping victims of truck wrecks. 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 Indiana law safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.
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