Statistics tell us that thousands of people are killed each year in heavy truck crashes, and hundreds of thousands more are injured. But people aren't statistics. When truck accidents occur they're devastating for everyone involved. Although no one can erase the hardships caused by these events, your involvement is meant to help restore some sense of normalcy. In order to best help your client – whichever side you represent – you need comprehensive strategies to reach the best possible outcome in these unfortunate situations. Order today to equip yourself with the skills you need to handle every step of the litigation process!

1. The Trucking Industry and the Law
2. Discovery For the Plaintiff in a Trucking Case
3. Defense Planning for the Wrongful Death Case
4. Settlement Negotiations
5. Ethical Considerations
6. Trial of a Truck Accident Case

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY AND THE LAW
   9:00 - 10:00, John L. Walker
   1. Federal Highway Administration Regulations
   2. Recent Statutory Trends and Developments
   3. Overview of Tractor-Trailer Companies
      1. Licensing of Drivers
      2. Employment of Drivers
      3. Statutes Applicable to Owners and Drivers
2. DISCOVERY FOR THE PLAINTIFF IN A TRUCKING CASE
   10:15 - 11:45, John G. Simon
3. DEFENSE PLANNING FOR THE WRONGFUL DEATH CASE
   12:45 - 1:45, Donald L. O'Keefe
   1. Where to Start in Trucking Case Defense
   2. What to Include in the Case Investigation
   3. The Initial Client Contact
   4. Drafting Initial Pleadings
   5. Discovery Techniques in Tractor-Trailer Collisions
   6. Pretrial Motions
   7. Use of Expert Witnesses
4. SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS
   1:45 - 2:15, John G. Simon
   1. ADR/Mediation
   2. Types of Settlements
   3. Effective Ways to Negotiate with Opposing Counsel During Settlement Proceedings
5. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
   2:30 - 3:30, John L. Walker
   1. Attorneys' Fees
   2. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
   3. Confidentiality - What Should or Should Not Be Disclosed
6. TRIAL OF A TRUCK ACCIDENT CASE
   3:30 - 4:30, Donald L. O'Keefe
   1. Opening Statements
   2. Presenting the Case
   3. Presenting Evidence
   4. Closing Arguments
   5. Appeals

DONALD L. O'KEEFE is a principal in the St. Louis law firm of Rabbitt Pitzer & Snodgrass, P.C., where his practice is devoted to product, premises and commercial liability, insurance and transportation law. He has contributed to numerous publications and seminars on trial practice techniques. Mr. O'Keefe earned his B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from St. Mary's University in San Antonio and his J.D. degree from the University of Missouri Columbia School of Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association (Tort and Insurance Practice Section), the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Lawyers Association of St. Louis and the Missouri Organization of Defense Counsel.

JOHN G. SIMON is the founder of The Simon Law Firm, P.C., where his areas of practice include personal injury, environmental law, class action, pharmaceutical law and business litigation. Mr. Simon frequently leads legal seminars, sharing his expertise on advanced trial advocacy, products liability litigation and bad faith litigation. He is also an adjunct professor at Saint Louis University Law School, where he teaches trial advocacy. Mr. Simon earned his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Saint Louis University and his J.D. degree from Saint Louis University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in Missouri, Illinois and Arkansas and before the U.S. District Court (Eastern, Western and Southern districts). Mr. Simon is a member of The Missouri Bar, The Bar Association of the Metropolitan St. Louis, the Illinois State Bar Association, the National Institute of Trial Advocacy Advocates Association, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the St. Louis County Bar Association, the St. Clair County Bar Association, the Lawyers Association of St. Louis, the Missouri Association of Trial Lawyers (Board of Governors), The Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Arkansas State Bar Association, the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation.

JOHN L. WALKER is a shareholder in the law firm of Roberts, Perryman, Bomkamp & Meives, P.C., located in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Walker is a graduate of the University of Missouri Columbia School of Law and is licensed in both Missouri and Illinois. Mr. Walker's practice focuses on transportation law with an emphasis on truck accident litigation and cargo claims. He also practices in the areas of insurance defense, insurance coverage and environmental and toxic torts. Mr. Walker is a member of the Trucking Industry Defense Association, Transportation Lawyers  Association, Defense Research Institute, Missouri Organization of Defense Counsel, as well as state and local bar associations in Missouri and Illinois.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com