Trucking Accidents: Prompt Investigation is Essential

Prompt Investigation is Crucial

Prompt investigation is important in every kind of accident, but is especially critical in obtaining a satisfactory settlement or an excellent jury verdict in a tractor trailer accident case. Under Virginia law, the injured party, called the plaintiff, has the burden of proving how and why his accident happened. If the injured party cannot do this, he cannot win his case. The person who caused the… [ 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 ]

You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat it Too

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… [ 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 ]

Health Care Debate: True Risk – The Americans for Insurance Reform Study

Attorney Malcolm P. McConnell

Author: Attorney Malcolm P. McConnell

For years, some doctors and insurance companies have been telling us and our government that unless frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits are curtailed, and unless out-of-control verdicts are limited, doctors will be driven out of practice by high malpractice insurance premiums. Their efforts have been very successful in Virginia, where doctors enjoy the privileges of a special class, exempting them from… [ read more ]

The Nation’s Health Care Debate: Medical Negligence – The AAJ Reports

Introduction by Attorney Malcolm P. McConnell

Attorney Malcolm P. McConnell

American Health Care, like American Justice, should be the envy of the world. We can attain this goal, but only if we base our decisions and our policies on facts. We must also be guided by traditional American values, to seek the best possible medical care for the greatest number of people, while zealously protecting the legal rights… [ read more ]

Don’t Let The Insurance Company Pressure You Into Settling By Signing a Release Too Early

Article by Bree King & Attorney Melinda H. South

Bree King, Claims Consultant

Attorney Melinda H. South

Recently I received a call from a young man who had signed a Release to settle his personal injury claim. He wanted to know if he had any recourse. It turns out he had signed a Release only three weeks after his motor vehicle accident even though he was still in pain. He… [ read more ]

Damages Cap Now on Tap – A VA Lawyers Weekly Article

Attorney Malcolm P. McConnell

Article Summary by Attorney Malcolm P. McConnell

In Virginia, there is no justice for catastrophically injured victims of medical malpractice. Since 1976, their inalienable rights as American citizens to trial by jury and to equal justice under the law have been stripped from them for no better reason than to keep insurance companies profitable. Meanwhile, insurance companies charge higher and higher premiums to doctors, blaming victims’ lawyers and American citizens who… [ read more ]

What Happened to Fair and Reasonable?

Egena Younger

Author: Egena T. Younger

I worked on the defense side for insurance companies for over 17 years. I experienced many years of investigating, evaluating, and negotiating automobile and commercial claims. From the first day of work, I was told to settle cases for a fair and reasonable amount. I was proud to represent the insurance company and its investors by checking every bill and report, to ensure that only what was necessary, related… [ read more ]

What is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

Attorney Charles Littlepage Allen

By Attorney Charles L. Allen

“What is my case worth?” I am often asked this question by clients when I am first getting to know them. The simple answer is this; whatever a jury says it is worth.

Some people with personal injury claims are surprised to find out that they are not automatically entitled to a… [ read more ]