St. Cloud Personal Injury Lawyer - Insurance Claims

Are The Chickens Coming Home To Roost For Allstate?

Mike Bryant — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:54:00 GMT

Interesting that this week Allstate announced they are losing customers. Their revenues are down and they have now vowed to do a better job. Chief Executive Tom Wilson said the insurer was trying to stem the loss of customers whom he fears are unhappy with its services. "We are losing too many, we think because they are not happy," Wilson said.

This is interesting news. Maybe they have been reading:

April Arman : All State and State Farm in Lott's Crosshairs

Mike Ferrara : Allstate is Cooking the Books

Jeffrey Meldon : Allstate Admits it has Dirty Hands

And one of my favorites: Been Treated Like Dirt by Allstate Insurance? Now We Know Why.

Injuryboard members have been pointing out the problems for some time. Hopefully, Allstate means it when they say they are looking at treating people the way their commercials suggest they do. It's time to get out of the frivolous defense business.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Question of the day: Should I give a statement to the insurance company?

Mike Bryant — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:27:00 GMT

During the month of June, I am addressing common questions that get asked in our practice. Today's Question is: Should I give a statement to the insurance company?

Some insurance contracts do require it. If it is required by your contract, the answer in many cases is going to be yes. The difference that can be made by you being represented is how well you are prepared for the statement, as well as being able to have someone there with you to represent you. It is clear, when the adjusters are calling to get these statements, that they are doing it to limit their own liability and in many cases limit what it is they are going to eventually pay. By being the ones asking the questions, they control what information is obtained. It is not unusual, when we represent someone giving a statement, that we make sure additional questions are answered. We also have experienced enough of the importance of certain questions to have properly prepared you to answer these questions. Just like not signing anything, you should not consider giving a statement until you first talk to an attorney. The initial consultation is free, and can give you a better idea on the importance of what is about to happen.

These questions are not intended to replace a consultation with an attorney, nor do they take into consideration facts that may differ about your particular case. Here at the Injuryboard, we have experienced attorneys who can deal with your individual questions and best help you with your case. Feel free to get the help you need by contacting one of us.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Question of the day: How should I fill out forms?

Mike Bryant — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:33:00 GMT

During the month of June, I am addressing common questions that get asked in our practice. Today's Question is: How should I fill out forms?

You should always tell the truth. Keep in mind that these forms are very important and will be looked at by adjusters, defense attorneys, and even potential jurors someday. Thus, sloppy and/or incomplete answers can play a big role in your case later on. As with signing anything, we always suggest that you consult with a skilled personal injury attorney before filling forms out for the insurance company. With your own doctor, you may want to ask them what exactly they are asking about before you fill out long questionnaires. These are very important answers, and need to be taken seriously.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Question of the day: Why do I sign so many authorizations?

Mike Bryant — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:16:00 GMT

During the month of June, I am addressing common questions that get asked in our practice. Today's Question is: Why do I sign so many authorizations?

Different medical providers often require different authorizations. Due to changes in the HIPAA law, many medical providers have come up with their own types of authorizations which over various areas of that law. Further, there are limited authorizations which we give the other side. It is not uncommon to see a new client come in with authorizations that their insurance company originally provided to them. The difference with our authorizations is they limit what it is that the other side is able to obtain and also most important limit or prevent the other side from talking directly to your doctors. We have seen cases where contact with the doctors of unrepresented clients has significantly affected not only opinions, but also an individual’s claim dramatically. This is probably one of the most significant areas where hiring a skilled and knowledgeable attorney makes the most sense.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

First Snow Brings Accidents Across The State

Mike Bryant — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:32:00 GMT

This week saw the first real measurable snow in Minnesota. This first real snow brought with it accidents across the state. A number of those accidents lead to Minnesotans dying on the roads. With this week being Winter Hazard Week, it is hoped that education and notice of problems will prevent more problems as we head into the winter season.

In Southern Minnesota, three separate accidents lead to three deaths and multiple injured parties. In Goodhue County, one man was killed and another injured in a two-vehicle crash near Goodhue County roads 6 and 9 near the town of Goodhue on Wednesday morning. The day before, two Mazeppa teenagers were injured when their vehicle collided with a semitrailer on Minnesota Highway 58 at Goodhue County Road 9 and two people were killed in a pair of accidents on icy roads south of Le Center , including a teenager whose car collided with a snowplow.

Around the Twin Cities, there were multiple accidents and two deaths which shut down 94 and 35W for a while on Tuesday. On Interstate 35E, there was a fatal rollover at County Road 11 on the Apple Valley-Burnsville border and earlier that morning at 5:30 a.m. the northbound lane blocked Interstate Hwy. 94 at the Lowry Tunnel in downtown Minneapolis.

Central Minnesota, saw slippery roads and their own share of roll overs and collisions. No deaths were reported.

In Northern Minnesota, Duluth saw multiple accidents and problems on each of it's major bridges. Traffic was forced into a single lane for vehicles traveling to Duluth on the Blatnik bridge, and to Superior on the Bong bridge. Ice and speed were the causes according to the state patrol.

As with any death in a Minnesota motor vehicle collision, there are a number of issues that will need to be reviewed. My partner, Joe Crumley, addressed this topic in a recent article for the Minnesota Lawyers Trial magazine. I was interviewed last year on the same topic. In this case, sorrow for the families of those involved goes out.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant