Our intent in providing this information is not to persuade or change your testimony, but rather to reduce your anxiety and help you convey your message more clearly.

Again, thank you for taking time out of your practice to help your client with this difficult time in their life.

Doctors is a post from: Austin Accident Lawyer

I recommend that you review the first two items at your leisure.  You may have received the other items when you signed the contract with us.

You should have received an email with the password to access the content – call or email us if you don’t have it.

New Clients is a post from: Austin Accident Lawyer

Manage Subscriptions is a post from: Austin Accident Lawyer

If you are going in for jury selection, then this video will give you some insight into what’s going on behind the scenes.

You see, the insurance companies have successfully gotten the word “insurance” out of lawsuits where they are not being sued directly.

If someone is injured in a crash and the insurance company won’t pay full and fair compensation for the medical bills and injuries caused by their insured, the insured, and not the insurance company is sued.  So you see Plaintiff Joe v. Defendant Suzy, not Defendant Rip em Off insurance.  Then, while you’re listening to the trial, listen for not only what’s said, but what’s not said.  What won’t be said is the word insurance.

You see, even though there are not studies to confirm this, the insurance companies long ago convinced the legislature that if people knew insurance was available, they’d be more willing to give money.  No studies confirm this theory, but I the opposite is actually more likely.  Juries are more likely to under-award a plaintiff who is injured because they feel sorry for the defendant.  They worry about saddling the poor, widowed, retired school teacher with a heavy burden, never finding out that she has a $100,000 insurance policy.

Watch the video and I’ll tell you how things work behind the scene and how you can tell whether the defendant has insurance.

What Jurors Need to Know is a post from: Austin Accident Lawyer

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Websites is a post from: Austin Accident Lawyer

I recommend you review the videos and read the written materials at least once.

Deposition Preparation is a post from: Austin Accident Lawyer

I have been representing accident victims in their claims against insurance companies for the past 8 years. My office has handled hundreds of accident cases during this time. Over the years I have seen how the insurance industry operates. How they deal with accident victims after they begin the claim process following an accident. I have seen the kind of procedures that are in place for the insurance adjuster to follow. I have heard how they use their protocols and scripts.

Most insurance adjusters are highly trained adversaries, and very good at what they do. People do not think this is the case. At least not in the beginning of the claims process when the adjuster is acting like your friend. As I am sure you are aware, it is the insurance company’s job to make money. One way they do this is by settling claims for less than what the claim is worth. Insurance companies use sophisticated, yet simple methods to help it accomplish this goal. They also try to keep the money for as long as possible before paying the claim. This allows the insurance company to continue to earn interest on that money. You might think your claim isn’t big enough for this to make a difference, but when you multiply that by the thousands of claims across the country it does.

Here are some questions that can make the insurance company uneasy and nervous. They do not like it when you ask these questions because they cannot answer the question or, the answer is one they do not like to give.

Question 1: Isn’t it true that if I hire an attorney, I’m likely to receive more money in settlement than if I try to settle the claim on my own?

Answer: Don’t be surprised if the adjuster lies to you and says “no” to this important question. This is incorrect. Most accident victims received larger settlements if they hire an attorney.

Question 5: Why do I have to give you an unrestricted medical authorization before I can settle the claim?

Answer: The adjuster can go on a fishing expedition into your past medical history and find anything about your prior health if you sign a medical authorization without restrictions. This would help the company either deny your claim or pay out as little as possible. You can collect your accident-related medical records and send them to the carrier for their review when you attempt to settle your case. If you are not represented by counsel the carrier will probably not accept this. The attorney can usually put limits on the amount of medical information that needs to be disclosed. You should speak with your attorney before signing the authorization for medical records. I will make sure the insurance company gives me a copy of everything they obtain and limit it under most circumstances to the records from the current accident.

Questions 6: Shouldn’t I wait to settle the claim until my medical treatment concludes or until I’m sure that I have made a full recovery?

Answer: The answer is yes, but the insurance company may tell you no. This is because the insurance company knows that the quicker you settle the claim the less money they will have to pay out. Once you settle the claim you can’t reopen the case if it turns out your injuries are more severe or if you need more treatment as recommended by your doctor. When it is settled it is over for good. Most insurance companies have in place written directives to its claims department to settle every claim as quickly as possible. This is so the accident victim can’t reopen the case later if the person’s condition gets worse or additional injuries are disclosed. When it is over, it is over.

Question 7: Why hasn’t anyone told me about Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage?

Answer: Many people do not know that they may have additional coverage under their own policies which will pay for the injuries and damages caused by a car accident. If the at‑fault driver has no insurance, or not enough insurance to pay for your damages, then your own insurance company is responsible for paying you additional compensation under the UM/UIM portion of your policy if you have this coverage. I have written a book on buying car insurance in Texas entitled “What You Don’t Know About Buying Car Insurance Can Hurt You”. Just visit the accident law video section to get your free copy. Many insurance companies don’t want you to know about this coverage because it may mean that you are entitled to more compensation!

Question 8: If you are claiming that my medial treatment is excessive or unreasonable, will you pay my doctor to write a detailed report explaining why my treatment has been appropriate and related to the accident?

Answer: Of course not! The insurance company will always refuse this request. The claims adjuster has absolutely no medical training. This doesn’t stop him or her from arguing that your treatment was excessive or unreasonable. Most insurance companies will pay to have your records reviewed by one of their own doctors though. They will gladly pay for this because they know what the report will say in most instances, And it will hardly ever help your case. This is one way the carrier will try to decrease the value of your claim hoping you will accept a much smaller settlement than what you may be entitled to. An experienced personal injury attorney on your side will help to solve this problem!

Question 9: What is your insured’s policy limit?

Answer: We won’t tell you.  That’s right – even though you can get this information after you file suit, the insurance company will almost never tell you how much insurance their insured is carrying.  They want you to give them information – but they don’t want to give you any information.

IMPORTANT

In the Republic of Texas you only have two (2) years from the date of your accident to settle your claim or file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. This is called the statute of limitations. The insurance company may intentionally delay and drag out the settlement process. Before you know it, the statute of limitations is right around the corner. The insurance company knows that you only have a certain amount of time to settle your claim and if you’re backed up against the SOL, there is a good chance no reasonably good attorney will take your case. You will then be forced to accept a settlement that is virtually pennies on the dollar of the true value of what the claim is worth. Don’t fall into this trap! The bottom line is to be prepared. By knowing the processes you will help protect yourself and increase the value of your accident case.

Questions You Should Ask the Insurance Adjuster is a post from: Austin Accident Lawyer

You can get a Free Accident Pamphlet to keep in your glove box in case you’re in a wreck. Enjoy!

Don’t forget – if you have any questions, you can call us at (512) 343-2572 or order our free book by completing the form on the right or calling our toll-free automated line at 888-HURT-007.

What to Do After an Accident is a post from: Austin Accident Lawyer

Don’t forget – if you have any questions, you can call us at (512) 343-2572 or order our free book by completing the form on the right or calling our toll-free automated line at 888-HURT-007.

When Should I Notify My Insurance Company is a post from: Austin Accident Lawyer

You can get a Free Insurance Buying Guide prepared by us as well. Enjoy!

Don’t forget – if you have any questions, you can call us at (512) 343-2572 or order our free book by completing the form on the right or calling our toll-free automated line at 888-HURT-007.

The Most Important Insurance is a post from: Austin Accident Lawyer