St. Cloud Personal Injury Lawyer - attorney

20-year-old Eagan Woman Killed By Passing Car In St. Paul

Mike Bryant — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:18:40 GMT

Monday night, a 20 year old woman from Eagan was stepping on to W 7th street in St Paul when she was stuck and killed by a passing car. Sympathy goes out for all of those involved. Cause was still being determined by the St Paul Police.

A number of Injuryboard members have discussed pedestrian accidents and the issues that are often involved.

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 all of these cases sorrow for the families of those involved goes out.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Two Killed As Truck Hits A Deer In Wisconsin

Mike Bryant — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:24:00 GMT

Saturday night, the driver and his 14 year old passenger where killed when they hit a deer in Woodman Township. The truck hit the deer and plunged down an embankment into a tree.

The Minnesota Department of Traffic Safety's "Crash Facts 2007" indicated that there were 3,144 vehicle-deer accidents reported last year with 336 injuries and six fatalities. Wisconsin is thee spots down, but is also in the top ten list of states with a high number of car/ deer collisions.

The Duluth News Tribune recently published some helpful suggestions:

Rule 1: Treat every deer as if it’s going to cross in front of you. If you assume a deer feeding on the shoulder is going to hold its position until you have gone by, you’re just an accident waiting to happen.

Rule 2: Drive according to the conditions. If the night is foggy, rainy, or slippery, you might not be able to prevent a collision, but you can minimize the damage if you’re driving slowly enough. Don’t just speed along and hope nothing gets in your way.

Rule 3: Keep your eyes on the road at all times. You may only have a second or two to react to a deer crossing the highway. If you’re not an attentive driver, you can get hurt.

While there is no liability claim for the driver of the car, passengers may still have a claim for liability depending on the facts of the collision. It is important that these case be investigated early by an Attorney who does this type of work. Our sympathy goes out to the family and friends of the two who died.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

I-35 Collision Kills Two

Mike Bryant — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:50:30 GMT

This morning, I-35 was shutdown in Washington county near Forest Lake. The crash involved two vehicles and happened in the southbound lane of I-35 at Hwy. 8. The state patrol have reported that a 19-year-old driver of a Chevy pickup lost control heading north on Interstate 35 and hit a car head-on. Two passengers, including a child in the southbound vehicle were killed. Everyone else involved was taken to North Memorial Hospital.

The crash happened on a stretch of interstate in Forest Lake that lacks a physical safety barrier in the median that is designed to prevent cross-over crashes. I have written about the value of the cables in preventing these kinds of tragedies. Sorrow for the family of the child and all of those involved goes out.

As with any death in a Minnesota motor vehicle collision, there are many 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.

This past month many of my fallow writers C. Brooks Schuelke, Mike Bryant, Noble McIntyre, Jeremy Thurman, and Steve Lombardi here at the Injuryboard have been looking at what has been happening on I-35. Here are some blogs worth the time on the topic:

9 Reasons Why People Get Injured on I-35 in Iowa, Steve Lombardi, October 31, 2009 8:05 AM

I-35 Blog Pack - The Importance of Client Communication, Jeremy Thurman, October 29, 2009 3:36 PM

Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer for an I-35 Car Accident, Steve Lombardi, October 18, 2009 11:33 PM

Why Hire a Lawyer After an I-35 Collision?, Mike Bryant, October 20, 2009 7:11 AM

Injured in an I-35 Accident? Real Life Reasons You Need an Attorney, Jeremy Thurman, October 22, 2009 2:26 PM

What Does The Department Of Transportation Think Of I-35? , C. Brooks Schuelke, November 6, 2009

I-35 Collision Kills Two, Mike Bryant , November 08, 2009 9:50 PM

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

The Wintry End Of I-35 Is Already Seeing Weather Issues

Mike Bryant — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:24:00 GMT

The I-35 blog pack is already at work providing traffic accident information concerning the areas covered by the highway. C. Brooks Schuelke, Mike Bryant, Noble McIntyre, Jeremy Thurman, and Steve Lombardi are all covering the collisions taking place from end to end. On the Minnesota end, I expected at some point that we might be talking, some, about the winter conditions for us. Sure, each of the other states see their storms, but we keep the Ice Box of America up here for a reason.

What I did not expect was to be talking about these conditions in mid October. Hopefully, we will still be using our outside Twins stadium this time next year. It would be great if my beloved Red Sox were in town. But, that's next year.

This past week we saw accidents across Minnesota caused by snow, ice, and that great excellerent speed. Saturday morning marked 15 collisions in Duluth alone. Most of the accidents happened near the 21st and 27th avenues west exits off of I-35. State Representative, Roger Reinert was in one of the crashes, and in the 40 minutes he waited for the the tow truck to arrive he saw more than six more vehicles get in accidents at that spot.

It is never too early to be safe and review the winter road tips from DPS and MnDOT :

Always use seat belts.
Accelerate and decelerate slowly on icy/snow-covered roads to retain traction and avoid skids.
Do not use cruise control.
Do not “power up” hills, which may cause wheels to spin. Build momentum before reaching a hill and do not stop while traveling uphill. Reduce speed before going downhill.
Know your brakes. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of the foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
Give yourself plenty of travel time. Do not put your schedule before safety.
Clear snow and ice from vehicle windows, hood, headlights, brake lights and directional signals.
Headlights must be turned on when it is snowing or sleeting.

Most police officers say the key is usually to Just Slow Down.

To keep up with the blog pack read some of the great stuff posted so far:

Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer for an I-35 Car Accident, Steve Lombardi, October 18, 2009 11:33 PM

Why Hire a Lawyer After an I-35 Collision?, Mike Bryant, October 20, 2009 7:11 AM

Injured in an I-35 Accident? Real Life Reasons You Need an Attorney, Jeremy Thurman, October 22, 2009 2:26 PM

For questions you have about these collisions contact:

Steve Lombardi, 4200 Corporate Drive, Suite 112, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 Tel: 515-222-1110 Fax: 515-222-0718

Noble McIntyre, 1300 S. Meridian Ave. Suite 501, Oklahoma city, OK. 73108 | ph: 405-917-5200

Jeremy Thurman, 1300 S. Meridian Ave. Suite 501, Oklahoma city, OK. 73108 | ph: 405-917-5200

Schuelke, C Brooks, 1717 W 6th St # 375, Austin, TX (512) 476-4944

Or me, Mike Bryant, 1505 Division Street | Waite Park, Minnesota 56387 | T: 320.259.5414 | F: 320.259.5438

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Why Is The Insurance Company So Friendly To Me?

Mike Bryant — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:39:01 GMT

Why is that insurance adjuster being so nice to me? This may be the easiest question we have ever answered here at the InjuryBoard. Maybe the insurer wants to take care of you. Maybe they want you to fully recover for all of your damages. Maybe they have your best interests at heart, even if it cost their insurance company more. Maybe not.

Despite what my fellow InjuryBoard blog pack members have been writing, it often seems like the insurance company is looking out for you. Otherwise, why would so many people spend so much time dealing with the adjusters themselves? Why wouldn't people take advantage of free consultations with experienced lawyers like Devon Glass, Wayne Parsons, Steve Lombardi , Pierce Egerton, Rick Shapiro and myself, Mike Bryant, that have dealt with so many of these cases? People must believe that the insurance companies are really working for them. Are they right?

Wait. Stop. Think. Do you really think a multi-billion dollar insurance company has your best interest at heart? Insurance companies’ profits depend on taking in more in premiums and investments than goes out in payments. The insurance company only benefits if they pay out less.

Maybe they're trained to be nice to keep you from going to a lawyer because they know that will cost them a lot. Maybe it's that the adjusters really know what to say:

- Are they giving legal advice?

- Are they trained to convince people that they really are getting good deals?

- Are they just plain old lying to people?

It's illegal in most states for the insurer to tell you not to go to a lawyer. But it's not illegal to be nice, to pretend they have your best interests at heart.

Many insurers even have a whole different set of adjusters that deal with people who don't have lawyers. 'Unwrapped Units' are trained to deal with these folks, using special training to try to keep people happy. If they get smart and hire a lawyer, their case gets switched to a 'wrapped unit'.

It's amazing how many times we look at these offers and they are woefully inadequate. Occasionally, we see fair offers and we tell people that. We've even had cases where we help them make sure that the health insurance subrogation interests are dealt with and that all of the coverages have been found. If it's a good deal, or even close to a good deal, we tell them.

The reality is that you can hire someone that is on your side and who works for you or you can hope they don't rip you off too much. You can guess what the value of your case is or hire a lawyer that has done this before and knows how to present a case.

Now I do understand that the case is always yours. So if you want to settle and think it's a good deal, go for it. But, it reminds me of the last time I tried plumbing. Took me two days to put in a garbage disposal. Week later, a real plumber came in and got it fixed in about 30 minutes.

At least if you are going to play lawyer for you or your family, spend a little time reading these:

I was in an automobile accident. What should I do? Ten Tips For Hawaii Drivers, Wayne Parsons on September 14, 2009 - 3:59 AM EST

What would a caveman bring to meet with the lawyer?, Steve Lombardi , September 15, 2009 11:00 AM

Solving Legal Problems, Being a Client, Back to the Basics, Steve Lombardi , September 15, 2009 8:48 AM

Car Accident Injury Client: What Makes the Case Good or Bad? (The Collision & Medical Care) , Rick Shapiro September 16, 2009 9:38 AM

Being a Client: More Tips To Help Improve Your Case If You've Been In An Car Accident , Devon Glass , September 17, 2009 8:39 AM

Presumed Guilty: How to Avoid Having Insult Added to Injury When You’ve Been Hurt in a Car Crash, Pierce Egerton , September 18, 2009 4:28 PM

What To Do After An Accident When The Adjuster Is There First, Mike Bryant, September 19, 2009 6:26 PM

What Questions Is The Lawyer Going To Ask Me At The Initial Interview For My Injury Or Death Case?, Wayne Parsons , 20 September 2009 12:01

What makes a case good or bad?, Steve Lombardi, 21 September 2009 12:57 PM

What To Do After An Accident When The Adjuster Has A Tape Recorder, Mike Bryant , September 23, 2009 10:01 PM

Do I have a good or a bad case?, Devon Glass, September 24, 2009

What are interrogatories and how do I answer them?, Steve Lombardi, September 29, 2009

Interrogatories: A Written Deposition , Devon Glass, September 30, 2009

How Do You Value Your Case? Mike Bryant October 03, 2009 9:29 AM

Demystifying Injury Litigation for Clients: What Are Interrogatories?, Rick Shapiro ,October 3, 2009

Do only dishonest people refuse to give a recorded statement? Steve Lombardi | October 06, 2009 10:47 AM

Demystifying Injury Litigation: What Is a Deposition and How Do I Get Ready for It? Rick Shapiro | October 21, 2009 10:34 AM

How Does An Injured Person Describe Their Injury To Doctors, Lawyers and Their Family?(2); Wayne Parsons | October 22, 2009 3:45 AM

What's the big deal with my deposition? Devon Glass, October 22, 2009

Why Does Discovery Need To Be Truthful?, Mike Bryant, October 23, 2009 11:28 PM

How do I know what my case is worth?, Steve Lombardi , October 24, 2009 10:06 AM

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Why Hire a Lawyer After an I-35 Collision?

Mike Bryant — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:11:00 GMT

The Blog Pack with C. Brooks Schuelke, Mike Bryant, Noble McIntyre, Jeremy Thurman, and Steve Lombardi started another series this week. This one will center around collisions in and around Highway 35. The highway that splits into 35W and and 35E though Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Twin Cities here in Minnesota, but cuts across the country as I-35. The series will get the perspective from each of the states that are intersected:

Steve Lombardi kicked things off yesterday with :

Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer for an I-35 Car Accident , October 18, 2009 , 11:33 PM EST

Today I will look at that issue a little more with the question: why to hire a lawyer:

There are collisions each day along I 35. If you are in an accident, we encourage you to see an attorney. As an example, we assisted a client in a situation where months after an accident, his family was facing bankruptcy, only to find he had an actionable claim. Valuable evidence is often lost when there is a delay.

Insurance companies have teams of defense lawyers to help them minimize your compensation. You need an experienced and effective advocate on your side, dedicated solely to protecting your interests.

Immediately after a personal injury, it’s critical to see a doctor and to file a police report.

Experienced personal injury lawyers regularly represent clients suffering from serious and catastrophic injuries. They have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies and litigating personal injury and wrongful death claims. Whether you were injured in an auto or truck accident, in a collision with an insured or underinsured driver, or in a car accident involving alcohol, you need someone that will go to work for you immediately to seek the financial compensation you need and deserve.

For questions contact:

Steve Lombardi, 4200 Corporate Drive, Suite 112, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 Tel: 515-222-1110 Fax: 515-222-0718

Noble McIntyre, 1300 S. Meridian Ave. Suite 501, Oklahoma city, OK. 73108 | ph: 405-917-5200

Jeremy Thurman, 1300 S. Meridian Ave. Suite 501, Oklahoma city, OK. 73108 | ph: 405-917-5200

Schuelke, C Brooks, 1717 W 6th St # 375, Austin, TX (512) 476-4944

Or me, Mike Bryant, 1505 Division Street | Waite Park, Minnesota 56387 | T: 320.259.5414 | F: 320.259.5438

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

How Do You Value Your Case?

Mike Bryant — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:29:00 GMT

What is my case worth? This is one of the questions that we hear most often. Many of our clients just want to know how they are going to get their medical bills paid and what they are going to do about the wages they are losing. Some of them have already been stressed out by the tough economic times and now suddenly, things have become even tighter. The question may not even really be about right now, but may be just as much about the next week, month or even years down the road. How am I going to pay my mortgage when I can't work? So they ask what the case is worth.

I wonder how other lawyers answer the question, especially since the answer is usually not available at the time people are looking for a lawyer. There are effects of the injury, what the doctor says and unfortunately it truly does depend on the coverage. The clients want some certainty at this time. The easy thing would be to just throw a number out there. But, they don't come to us at an easy time and they don't higher us to take the easy way out. The truth I always explain is that we don't know right now. You are actually better off if it's less money and you get better. Those are actually my happiest former clients. But, if you are hurt long term, we know how to present your case in the best light. It is the difference of hiring a lawyer that knows and will represent you in presenting your loss and basically hiring a claims adjuster. It may not be fast , but we will look at your case and present it in the most comprehensive light.

Many of these people that have already talked to the insurance adjuster. We regularly meet with potential clients who have been offered small sums as the insurance company works to get out of liability and to close the file. They know that there are a percentage of people who really need money, so they will prey on that group. In these economic times, it happens all of the time.

If you are facing that choice, please keep in mind:

- For a minor, there is no way that they can settle the case without Judicial approval. I've seen companies try to get around this, but it's against the law.

- When the settlement discussions are going on, is the adjuster practicing law? Do they talk about: if you need a lawyer, about the value of the case, or present their version as to fault? All of these get very close to giving you legal advice. I do it and I need to follow up with information on the statute of limitations. The non lawyer does it and they are breaking the law. They also, intentionally or not, can be very very wrong.

- Most car collisions involve the tort thresholds in Minnesota. Basically, you need to have $4000 in medical expenses, a permanent injury or 60 days loss of enjoyment of life. You meet one of those and you have a claim for pain and suffering. You don't and you have no claim other than the bills, wage loss and property damage. I look at the little offers this way. If you meet a threshold and have a permanent injury, is there any way that is worth that amount? If you don't meet a threshold, well, what did you really lose by waiting and making sure?

- The insurance company wants a settlement quick. They often make their offer within days or weeks of the collision. While some cases can be evaluated at that time, usually it takes time to get a full view of your injuries and to also get through a year's cycle. Is there something that you do in the winter or summer that will cause you problems? It's worth waiting to make sure you can play softball or snowmobile without problems. The statutes of limitations were made longer so that you have the chance to see the affect of your injuries.

It's always worth talking to a personal injury attorney to make sure you are aware of all of your rights. If the offer is fair, we will tell you. We also can give you lawful legal advice and answer your questions.

As fellow members of the blog pack, Steve Lombardi, Wayne Parsons, Devon Glass, Mike Bryant, Rick Shapiro and Pierce Egerton, have been pointing out there is also a difference in what lawyer you talk to. Don't make the mistake of undervaluing yourself. As I tell many of my clients, I may be smart enough to do some of the things you do with your daily job, but it's doubtful I will do it completely right. I don't think your competitor would come over and willingly help me. Severe injuries are not the time to learn how to protect you and your family and most definitely not the time to take legal advice from the other side. Take your time and learn who and what is out there for help.

I was in an automobile accident. What should I do? Ten Tips For Hawaii Drivers, Wayne Parsons on September 14, 2009 - 3:59 AM EST.

What would a caveman bring to meet with the lawyer?, Steve Lombardi , September 15, 2009 11:00 AM

Solving Legal Problems, Being a Client, Back to the Basics, Steve Lombardi , September 15, 2009 8:48 AM

Car Accident Injury Client: What Makes the Case Good or Bad? (The Collision & Medical Care) , Rick Shapiro September 16, 2009 9:38 AM

Being a Client: More Tips To Help Improve Your Case If You've Been In An Car Accident , Devon Glass , September 17, 2009 8:39 AM

Presumed Guilty: How to Avoid Having Insult Added to Injury When You’ve Been Hurt in a Car Crash, Pierce Egerton , September 18, 2009 4:28 PM

What To Do After An Accident When The Adjuster Is There First, Mike Bryant | September 19, 2009 6:26 PM

What Questions Is The Lawyer Going To Ask Me At The Initial Interview For My Injury Or Death Case?, Wayne Parsons | 20 September 2009 12:01

What makes a case good or bad?, Steve Lombardi, 21 September 2009 12:57 PM

What To Do After An Accident When The Adjuster Has A Tape Recorder, Mike Bryant , September 23, 2009 10:01 PM

Do I have a good or a bad case?, Devon Glass, September 24, 2009

What are interrogatories and how do I answer them?, Steve Lombardi, September 29, 2009

Interrogatories: A Written Deposition , Devon Glass, September 30, 2009

Demystifying Injury Litigation for Clients: What Are Interrogatories?, Rick Shapiro October 03, 2009

and this one

How Do You Value Your Case? Mike Bryant October 03, 2009 9:29 AM

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Crosswalk Mayhem - 2009 Pedestrian Deaths Spike

Joe Crumley — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:09:59 GMT

Pedestrian deaths in Minnesota jumped dramatically this year, with more deaths in the first nine months than all of last year. The Department of Public Safety today reported there were already 26 deaths through the end of September, eclipsing the 2008 whole-year total of 25.

The Star Tribune reported:

... this year's spike is unlikely to get Minnesota anywhere close to its all-time totals. Looking at just the past two decades, the state's yearly high is 61 pedestrian deaths in 1991.

The Department of Public Safety is calling for increased driver awareness and asking pedestrians to cross smartly and legally to counter a typically dangerous time of year for pedestrians. In autumn, the department said, there is an increase in foot traffic with school resuming. Also, visibility becomes more challenging for drivers and pedestrians as darkness comes earlier in the evenings. October was 2008's deadliest month for pedestrians with four fatalities.

Officials referenced the upcoming the 2009 Twin Cities Marathon, perhaps the annual peak of pedestrian activity, in the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Press Release. The release also discussed some crucial legal points relating to pedestrians:

Every Corner is a Crosswalk! "Minnesota law states pedestrians must obey traffic control devices, and when no traffic control device is present, motorists must stop for crossing pedestrians within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk."
Where there are signals, pedestrians only have the right-of-way when traffic signals allow.
"Pedestrians must also walk on the left side of the roadway facing oncoming traffic, when possible." This allows pedestrians a chance to react if vehicles swerve off the road.

The reported continued:

DPS is calling for increased motorist awareness of pedestrians and asking pedestrians to cross smartly and legally to combat a typically dangerous time of year for pedestrians. Autumn safety issues include a spike in foot traffic with school in session, as well as visibility challenges as the days become darker earlier. Last year, October was the deadliest month for pedestrian deaths — four were killed.
...

In Minnesota, failing to yield right-of-way to a pedestrian is a misdemeanor and can result in up to 90 days in jail, a $700 fine or both. A jaywalking citation is a petty misdemeanor and can cost up to $95.

Officials also gave some important Safety Tips.

Motorists:

Look for pedestrians
Prepare to stop if a pedestrian is nearing an intersection
Stop for pedestrians within a marked crosswalk - it's the law!
Stop for pedestrians at an intersection with no marked crosswalk — it’s the law!

Pedestrians:

Just because you see the car or truck, don't assume they see you!
Wear bright and reflective clothing
Cross only at intersections or crosswalks
Obey traffic signals
Don't enter a crosswalk if a vehicle is too close or going too fast

Hopefully we can cut these tragic statistics and prevent these needless deaths.

People don't think about the tremendous forces when a steel car weighing thousands of pounds strikes a person of flesh and bone. Maybe they should look at what could happen ... Don't become a victim, like the poor guy in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ICQ15Es_Ng&feature=fvsr

I was concerned about offending people with graphic violence, so that was a fairly tame video shot from a distance. If you want to really teach your kids the horrors of car v. people collisions, and you have a strong stomach, show them some of these horrific pedestrian-vehicle videos. Warning: some of them will turn your stomach.

Stay safe!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Crumley

Questions to Ask a Potential Lawyer in a Brain Injury Case

Mike Bryant — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:00:00 GMT

I saw this list when Injuryboard member Timothy Smith originally answered these questions. His answers demonstrate a lawyer that people in his area should be talking to when they are injured. As Tim explained:

Lay people sometimes have a tendency to see lawyers as a sort of multi-function tool. As though any lawyer has the training and skill to perform any needed task. In fact, the legal world is highly specialized, and just as one would not go to a dermatologist for open heart surgery, one should seek appropriate counsel for specialized legal tasks. Traumatic brain injuries often call for an attorney with a specialized legal skill-set. Some clients who have survived a brain injury need an attorney family law, estate planning, or even criminal law experience. With an eye toward these concerns, the BIAA has presented a brief guide to selecting appropriate counsel for brain injury survivors.

These are questions that you or your family should be asking a potential lawyer. Here is how my firm would answer these questions:

Who else in your practice would you involve in my case? What role(s) would these people have? Describe their background and expertise. You would have 4 different attorneys working on your case - together- as a team. My background includes 18 years representing individuals with brain injuries, and my partner Joe Crumley has 22 years. In addition to our associate attorneies, we also work with five paralegals, all of whom have experience working with brain injured clients and their families. Two of them have been with the firm for over 25 years and have attended seminars and conferences on the topic. I am presently the President of the Minnesota Association for Justice and Joe was the President two years ago. Our web site cantains more details on our qualifications.
Who will be my primary contact with your practice? Either I or Joe will always be the primary contact and you will be able to contact us by phone or email 24/7.
Are you or your law firm able and willing to advance as much as $50,000 in the investigation, preparation and presentation of my case? Yes, we will spend what is necessary in your representation, but will not waste money. Costs are all amounts that we pay outside of the office for things like investigation, experts, medical records and reports. We will hire the necessary experts to help prove your case. We have spent substantial amounts in cases in order to insure the best possible representation.
How much of your practice is devoted to personal injury? Joe practices 100% in personal injury. I still do a little bit of criminal defense.
Of your personal injury cases, how many are devoted to brain injury? I would estimate that approximately 10% of our current files involve a brain injury. We have taken over cases from other attorneys and even earlier doctors treatments and found that the injury was never asked about or recognized. Thus, we have established a procedure to always be on alert for these type of injuries.
What results have you achieved? The firm holds the top rating or [AV] from Martindale-Hubbell. I have been a top 100 and top 40 personal injury "Minnesota Super Lawyer" by Minnesota Law and Politics magazine on multiple occasions. Joe has been a Super Lawyer most years and also won the top settlement for Minnesota and eastern Wisconsin for a motorcyclist with a brain injury.
What have you worked on in the past six months? The last six months each of us has worked on significant brain injury cases. We also have taught seminars and written articles for the Minnesota Association for Justice.
What special training or education do you have specific to brain injury or benefits that people can get after brain injury. The experience of representing injured people across Minnesota for a number of years. We have also attended many medical and legal training seminars on the subject. Joe and I continue to share experiences with other lawyers and doctors in this field through teaching and lecturing.
What is your involvement with legal associations, local, state or national brain injury associations or other organizations? We have each dealt with the brain injury organizations as we have represented brain injured clients. Our involvement with the Minnesota Association of Justice, our trial lawyers association, is unmatched. Joe and I have spent a great deal of time in all aspects of the association, culminating in our respective presidencies.
How do you stay up to date with personal injury law and brain injury issues? We read the medical literature, attend and teach continuing education courses and also learn much through the continued representing of clients. We talk to experts and treating physicians almost daily.
How did you first become involved in brain injury cases? As with most of what we do, it started with the representing of a client. Early in my career, I helped John Bradshaw, my boss at the time, represent a brain injured person. John went to a conference in Texas and came back with loads of material which he turned over to me. I spent a lot of time researching and reviewing this literature, and that was my start representing brain injured folks.

The lawyer you hire will and can make a difference. The key is asking the right questions and looking for a firm with the experience and caring to represent you properly.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

What To Do After An Accident When The Adjuster Has A Tape Recorder

Mike Bryant — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:01:56 GMT

The blog pack is looking at various issues that we see in our day to day practices, each writer is looking at a topic from our various perspectives.

David Mittleman and Devon Glass of Church Wyble, PC in Lansing, Michigan,

Pierce Egerton of Egerton & Associates P.A. in North Carolina,

Steve Lombardi of The Lombardi Law Firm in Des Moines Iowa

Wayne Parsons of The Parsons Law Firm in Hawaii

Rick Shapiro of Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton, P.C. from Virginia and North Carolina

I addressed the issue of the adjuster being the first one there last week; today I want to look at what to do if they have a tape recorder or want to take a statement.

Some insurance contracts do require it. If it really is required by your insurance policy, the answer in many cases is going to be that it's something you have to do at some point. However, a lawyer can to be prepared for the statement, and sit through the statement at your side, making sure your rights are protected. It is clear, when the adjusters are calling to get these statements, that they are doing it to limit their companies 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 and information provided. We also have experienced the importance of certain questions and answers 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 of the importance of what is about to happen.

For the most recent articles in this series check out:

Series about Common Questions Clients Ask

I was in an automobile accident. What should I do? Ten Tips For Hawaii Drivers, Wayne Parsons on September 14, 2009 - 3:59 AM EST.

What would a caveman bring to meet with the lawyer?, Steve Lombardi , September 15, 2009 11:00 AM

Solving Legal Problems, Being a Client, Back to the Basics, Steve Lombardi , September 15, 2009 8:48 AM

Car Accident Injury Client: What Makes the Case Good or Bad? (The Collision & Medical Care) , Rick Shapiro September 16, 2009 9:38 AM

Being a Client: More Tips To Help Improve Your Case If You've Been In An Car Accident , Devon Glass , September 17, 2009 8:39 AM

Presumed Guilty: How to Avoid Having Insult Added to Injury When You’ve Been Hurt in a Car Crash, Pierce Egerton , September 18, 2009 4:28 PM

What To Do After An Accident When The Adjuster Is There First, Mike Bryant | September 19, 2009 6:26 PM

What Questions Is The Lawyer Going To Ask Me At The Initial Interview For My Injury Or Death Case?, Wayne Parsons | 20 September 2009 12:01

What makes a case good or bad?, Steve Lombardi, 21 September 2009 12:57 PM

and this one

What To Do After An Accident When The Adjuster Has A Tape Recorder, Mike Bryant , September 23, 2009 10:01 PM

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant