Insurance Coverage – Are You Protected?

Robert L. Mertig, Claims Consultant

Author: Claims Consultant Robert L. Mertig

In Virginia, we see many instances where the at-fault party has only minimum limits of automobile liability insurance coverage, and the injured party also has only the minimum limit of $25,000.[1] Under these circumstances, often the most you can recover — no matter how serious your injury or loss – is only $25,000.

Increasing your liability and UM (Uninsured Motorist) limits… [ read more ]

Auto Insurance: Having “Full Coverage” Doesn’t Mean You Have Enough Insurance

Attorney Priscilla R. Woody

Author: Attorney Priscilla R. Woody

When I first meet a client who have been injured through no fault of their own, one of my first questions is: “How much insurance do you have?” Most clients answer, “I have full coverage.” However, when we review their declaration page and policy, the clients are surprised to learn that they have minimal insurance coverage on their vehicles. The confusion comes… [ read more ]

Diminution of Value (Diminished Value): Is Your Car Worth Less After Accident Repairs Than If it Had Never Been Damaged?

Author:  Robert L. Mertig

Robert L. Mertig, Claims Consultant

Virginia law allows that, even after proper repairs have been made, you can recover the “loss of value” of your repaired vehicle after an accident in addition to the cost of the repairs. 1 Insurance companies and auto repair shops called this loss of value the “diminution of value” or “diminished value” of the vehicle.

In layman’s terms, “diminished value” means the difference in value between a vehicle… [ read more ]

INSURANCE INDEX DATA BASE SYSTEM: How insurance companies are using your personal information

Egena Younger, Claims Consultant

Author: Egena T. Younger

You have been involved in an accident and are contacted by the insurance company. The adjuster requests your full name, address, date of birth and social security number. You feel uncomfortable providing such private information, but you are told that the information is required to handle your claim, or maybe you are told that it is required to properly issue your check upon settlement of your claim.… [ read more ]

Traumatic Brain Injuries – More Common than You Might Think

Attorney Jason W. Konvicka

Author: Attorney Jason W. Konvicka

I recently read an article that stated that a person sustains a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the United States every 21 seconds. In fact, the same article indicated that traumatic brain injuries occur more frequently and affect more people than breast cancer, AIDS, and Alzheimer’s disease combined. At first, I found these statistics surprising. I even questioned their accuracy… [ read more ]

Motor Vehicle Accidents in Virginia – Why hire an attorney? – Part One

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… [ read more ]

If the Insurance Company Presents You with a Scheduled Release, Consult Your Doctor and an 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… [ read more ]

Medical Malpractice Reform Debate

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… [ read more ]

Myths about Virginia Auto Insurance

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… [ read more ]

“Stacking” The Insurance Coverage of Cars on the Same Policy: The Virginia Farm Bureau v. Williams Case

Author: Attorney Chris A. Meyer

Attorney Christopher A. Meyer

Very seldom do we discuss the details of Virginia Supreme Court decisions interpreting insurance contracts; these are true lawyer issues that can put normal folks to sleep.  But this recent case is important if you are in an automobile accident and are seriously injured.  So important that if you are seriously injured and don’t at least ask… [ read more ]