J. Craig Swapp
Craig Swapp & Associates
505 West Riverside
Suite 400
Spokane, WA 99201
Map
Phone: (801) 990-1919 | Fax: (800) 663-0083
http://www.craigswapp.com
One Call, That's All
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
Injured victims (injured by another's negligence); financial victims facing possible bankruptcy.
Sub-Topics
Accidents & Personal Injury
- Slip & Fall
Car Accident
- Auto Accident
- Whiplash
Dangerous Property
Intentional Injuries
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
Mass Accidents
- Airplanes
- Buildings
- Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
Medical Malpractice
- Anesthesia Malpractice
- Birth Injuries and Defects
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Dental Malpractice
- Elder and Nursing Home Abuse
- Emergency Room Errors
- HMO Managed Case
- Lasik Eye Surgery
- Medication Malpractice
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Optometry Malpractice
- Prescription/Drug Malpractice
- Psychiatric Malpractice
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Surgical Errors
- Wrong Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis
Motorcycle Accident
Personal Injury - Defense
Product Liability
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
Serious/Catastrophic Injuries
- Amputation
- Birth Injury
- Burn Injury
- Head/Brain Injury
- Paralysis
Toxic Tort
- Chemicals & Cosmetics
- Dangerous Drugs & Products
- Hazardous Waste
- Medical Products & Devices
- Mesothelioma
- Pesticides
- Radiation & Electromagnetic Energy
- Tobacco
- Toxic Mold
Truck Accident
Wrongful Death
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
Information coming soon.
Sub-Topics
Elder Law
- Nursing Homes
Bar Admissions
UT, Oct 1991
Bar Number: 06042
WA, Feb 2004
Bar Number: 34624
ID, Feb 2004
Bar Number: 6932
CO, Jun 1992
Other Court Admissions
Supreme Court of Arizona
Supreme Court of Colorado
Supreme Court of Idaho
Supreme Court of New Mexico
Supreme Court of Texas
Supreme Court of Utah
Supreme Court of Washington
United States District Court of Arizona
United States District Court of Idaho
United States District Court of Oregon
United States District Court of Texas
United States District Court of Utah
United States District Court of Washington (Eastern District)
United States Supreme Court
Association Memberships
Arizona State Bar
Colorado State Bar
Idaho State Bar
New Mexico State Bar
Nevada State Bar
Oregon State Bar
Texas State Bar
Utah State Bar
Washington State Bar
Utah Association For Justice
American Association For Justice
Idaho Trial Lawyers Association
Spokane County Bar Association
Washington State Trial Lawyers Association
Continuing Education
I regularly attend continuing legal education seminars all over the country to maintain my knowledge of personal injury and insolvency law.
Papers and Publications
'Utah Legislature - An Invitation to Help,' Utah Trial Journal, Volume 32, Number 4 (Fall 2009).
Example Cases
CASE A: Amanda was a passenger in a motor vehicle roll-over accident. She was severely hurt and suffered a traumatic brain injury, which required a lengthy recovery. When she was well enough, she consulted with a lawyer, who indicated that she didn't have a case. Fortunately, she decided to get a second opinion from the Washington traumatic brain injury attorneys at Craig Swapp & Associates. After carefully looking at the facts of the case, we quickly saw that she did have a very good case. The end result was a settlement for over $1 million.
CASE B: A family of three was waiting at a bus stop when they were stuck by a car driven by an 80 year-old driver who had fallen asleep at the wheel. Tragically, the young son was killed, while his mother and sister were severely injured. Allstate Insurance hired an aggressive lawyer to defend their insured driver and offered the family a minimal settlement. The lawyer argued that the driver had 'blacked out' and therefore was not negligent or at fault. The horrific nature of this case made major headlines and attracted a great deal of media attention. As the family's Washington personal injury attorney, I was able to turn the tables on Allstate and get the family a settlement award in excess of $1.5 million which allowed them to put their life back together after such a horrible tragedy.
CASE C: A 72 year-old was driving as part of his job, delivering flowers for a floral shop. His delivery truck was struck by a drunk driver, killing him instantly. Our Spokane wrongful death attorneys at Craig Swapp & Associates were able to help the family recover $544,000 for this wrongful death.
CASE D: a 48 year-old cyclist was safely riding his bike with traffic on the shoulder of the road, when a driver (driving impaired with cold medication) struck him from behind. Our Spokane personal injury attorneys filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver's insurance company and were able to collect $141,000 for his family.
CASE E: An 18 year-old motorcyclist was driving his motorcycle home from work, when a motorist pulled a U-turn in front of him. He and his motorcycle struck the car and he was killed instantly. The Spokane motorcycle accident attorneys at Craig Swapp & Associates were able to collect $350,000 for his family.
Education
University of Utah College of Law
Juris Doctorate
Salt Lake City
UT
1991
Senior Editor, Journal of Contemporary Law.
University of Utah
Bachelors of Science
Salt Lake City
UT
1988
Accounting.
Number of Attorneys
15
State Licensed In
Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
Firm Focus and History
Craig Swapp & Associates primarily handles personal injury and bankruptcy cases. With personal injury cases, we resolve insurance disputes involving automobiles, commercial trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, public transportation, dog bite and animal attacks, nursing home abuse, medical malpractice, and premises liability.
Our law firm began in 1957 thanks to the efforts of founding partner Buddy Gregory. In 2000, I joined forces with Buddy Gregory, and am currently serving as managing partner and primary spokesperson for the firm. Over the years, the personal injury lawyers at Craig Swapp & Associates have helped over 60,000 injured accident victims receive fair compensation a variety of insurance companies sand corporate wrong-doers Currently Craig Swapp & Associates has offices in Sandy, Utah; Boise, Idaho; Spokane, Washington; and Kennewick, Washington, and employs over 60 legal professionals. For the past 10 years, Craig Swapp & Associates has been known for its renowned tagline, "One Call, That's All!"
Previous Employment Summary
I started my legal career as a car accident attorney with Siegfried & Jensen and eventually chose to pursue other options to advance my professional skills and abilities.
Activities and Awards
I am currently serving on the Board of Governors, Utah Association for Justice. I and my team of lawyers have been recognized by peer groups and community groups for our effective advocacy on behalf of our clients.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
We believe that the more a client knows about their legal matters, the better they understand the important role of a Washington auto accident attorney in reaching a satisfactory conclusion to one's case. However, we believe that fundamentally it is unwise for one to represent oneself in personal injury and bankruptcy cases. We have seen too many situations where individuals are taken advantage of and abused when not represented. As a general rule, we strongly recommend that people with auto accident cases and insolvency issues always retain an experienced personal injury or bankruptcy attorney.
With personal injury cases, profit-driven insurance companies are overjoyed to work with an injured victim who seeks to represent themselves, since that person has no idea the scope of their case. The insurance company will eagerly exploit that lack of knowledge and experience. Adjustors are good at offering the victim of a minimal settlement and then pushing the victim into accepting it. People with good cases often contact us after they have negotiated their own settlement, and are shocked to learn that they possibly walked away from thousands of dollars. As experienced Spokane auto accident lawyers, we know how to build a strong case for our clients and get them the fair compensation they deserve, whether it is through tough negotiations, arbitration, mediation or trial.
When one faces financial hardship situations, he or she often thinks that their financial troubles require immediate bankruptcy protection. However, we see that measure as a last resort. Our experienced Salt Lake City bankruptcy lawyers at Craig Swapp & Associates are expert at using the law to end harassing creditor calls, restructure debt, stop foreclosure, modify mortgages, and stop repossessions, garnishments and lawsuits. These types of services and results are difficult, if not impossible, to achieve without legal representation. Because of the legal complexities involved with bankruptcy law, we never recommend a self-help approach without first consulting an experienced legal professional.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
See answer above.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
We do this routinely in situations where it is safe for a client to represent him or herself.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
To make a difference. I have always felt a strong desire to level the playing field for the underdog.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
All life experiences have helped me be a better lawyer. Both formal and informal education have been key to becoming a pragmatic legal advocate that gets satisfactory results for my clients.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I wanted to provide a voice for those seeking justice and accountability from big business, which typically puts profits over people.
What do you like best about your career?
I particularly appreciate the opportunity to help people through difficult times and seeing them get back on their feet again.
Tell us about your law firm:
I work with an all-star cast of legal professionals. We have 15 experienced and very capable auto accident attorneys, along with 45 other professionals, who do an outstanding job in helping our clients get the care and legal service they need and deserve.
What are your strengths and style?
I have been fortunate to be able to see the 'big picture' and stay cool under pressure when I fight for what is right and true. I have always enjoyed working with my clients and my associates at the office.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends - we love to golf, water ski, snow ski, and a variety of other activities that we can do together. I am an avid reader and love to travel when my schedule permits.
Fax
(800) 663-0083
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Mountain Time Zone)
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Spanish, German, and Korean.
Additional Offices
Sandy
Primary Mailing Address
PO Box 709390
Sandy, UT 84070-9390
Kennewick
Kenewick Attorney Tri-Cities Office
1030 N. Center Parkway
Kennewick, WA 99336
Boise
Boise Personal Injury Attorney Office
2939 N. Cole Road
Boise, ID 83704
Sandy
Utah Personal Injury Attorney
9980 South 300 West
Suite 400
Sandy, UT 84070
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Yes, we offer reasonable fixed fee arrangements with our bankruptcy and insolvency services.
Hourly Rates
We don't charge on an hourly basis. We work on a contingency basis for all personal injury cases and fixed fees for bankruptcy.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, we offer free consultation to anyone who thinks they have a personal injury case or issues with financial hardship. We're happy to take enough time necessary to understand the basic facts of every case and then explain what we see as the person's legal options and rights.
Typical Retainer
With personal injury cases, we work on a contingency basis: 33% for most cases and 40% for cases requiring litigation.
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