Articles Archive for October 2009
Car Accidents, Insurance Companies, Insurance Coverage, Personal Injury, Richmond Attorney, Trucking Accidents »
Attorney R. Clayton Allen
Author: Attorney R. Clayton Allen
As a personal injury attorney, one of the questions I am most frequently asked is why an injured person needs to hire an attorney to represent them. Here’s an outline of how I usually answer that question.
Sometimes you don’t. If your injuries are relatively minor, if your medical treatment is for only a short period of time, and if your medical expenses and other damages are small, and if you are pretty savvy…
Fredericksburg Attorney, Personal Injury »
Claims Consultant Chris Cloude
Author: Christopher B. Cloude, Claims Consultant
Before we can talk about what a personal injury settlement involves, we must first look at what makes a successful personal injury case that leads to a settlement.
In order to have a personal injury case for which you can make a recovery, there are three basic elements that must be present:
1. Liability
2. Damages
3. A source of recovery
Liability is when a person or entity (corporation, association, etc.) is negligent (1) and has caused another…
Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Richmond Attorney, Virginia Law »
Attorney R. Clayton Allen
Author: Attorney R. Clayton Allen, Esquire
I am always surprised at the misunderstandings and misconceptions people have about their rights when they have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Virginia. This article is a summary of an explanation I give to each of my clients at the beginning of representing them. After I give this general explanation, of course I explain how and what parts of this summary apply to their particular case, what additional investigation…
Insurance Companies, Personal Injury »
Bill Bootwright, Claims Consultant
Author: William P. “Bill” Bootwright, Claims Consultant
You have often heard the expression “you can’t have your cake and eat it, too.” (1) But that’s exactly what the insurance companies try to do in handling claims. Whatever the situation, they try to argue that means the injured person wasn’t hurt very much. Sometimes they create a problem, and then try to benefit from it. Just the other day I had a case with a claims adjuster where this expression…
Insurance Companies, Insurance Coverage, Personal Injury, Richmond Attorney »
Attorney Priscilla R. Woody
Author: Attorney Priscilla R. Woody
The insurance company wants to settle your case as soon as possible if you are injured and not represented by an attorney. Use of a “Scheduled Release” (1) is a tactic used by insurance companies to entice unrepresented claimants (people who are making a claim to the insurance company) to settle their claims quickly. When claimants are wary and unsure of the claim process and their future medical condition, the insurance representative appeases them…
Insurance Coverage, Medical Malpractice, Richmond Attorney, Virginia Law »
Attorney Malcolm P. McConnell
Author: Attorney Malcolm P. McConnell, III
Sarah Moss (1) was a four year old girl who had one of her kidneys removed and her ureter (2) attached to that kidney was re-attached to the remaining kidney. Unfortunately, while still at the hospital, she began leaking urine into her abdomen from the ureter re-attachment. Her belly swelled with fluid, making it difficult for her to breathe. Electrolytes which should have been excreted with her urine were being reabsorbed into her blood through…
Insurance Coverage, Richmond Attorney »
Attorney R. Clayton Allen
By Attorney R. Clayton Allen
While talking to a client today about their auto insurance, I was reminded of a number of misconceptions and misunderstandings many people have about motor vehicle insurance. Here are four of the most common ones I hear.
Myth #1. “The better known insurance companies offer better coverage, so it’s safer to be with one of those.”
The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) Bureau of Insurance issues a form “family automobile insurance policy”. (1) All consumer family auto…
Fredericksburg Attorney, General Information »
Attorney Tamara L. Jezic
Author: Attorney Tamara L. Jezic
The U.S. Supreme Court began its 2009-10 term on October 5, 2009 – the first Monday in October – with recently confirmed Justice Sonia Sotomayor as its newest member. The Court’s docket this year includes cases with a number of important and interesting issues, including the following:
Gun laws. Last year, the Court overturned a handgun ban in Washington, DC, ruling that the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution granted citizens of the District of…
General Information, Richmond Attorney »
Attorney R. Clayton Allen
Author: Attorney R. Clayton Allen
Arbitration is a method of resolving disputes without going to court. Sometimes an attorney will recommend arbitration to a client as the best means to resolve a claim. In arbitration, the dispute is submitted to a third party (the arbitrator) who resolves the dispute after hearing a presentation by both parties. The presentation may be just documents submitted to the arbitrator by each side. More often, in addition to the documents submitted, each…
General Information, Richmond Attorney »
Attorney R. Clayton Allen
Editor: R. Clayton Allen
There’s no doubt about it - you play an important part in your case. Here are 9 things you can do to help insure a successful recovery in your personal injury case.
1. Follow your doctor’s and other health care providers’ advice.
When your attorney submits your case documents to the insurance company to discuss settlement, the insurance company will analyze your medical records closely. Your dedication and commitment to your own recovery - including physical…
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