St. Cloud Personal Injury Lawyer - wage loss

Tiger Woods Crashes Car after Rumors of Sexual Affair

Joe Crumley — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:34:56 GMT

News services Friday afternoon reported that Tiger Woods, the best golfer in the world, was seriously injured in a car wreck outside his Florida home early in the morning. Later reports indicated the injuries were not serious.

Woods apparently left his suburban Orlando driveway atand struck a tree and fire hydrant, causing serious facial injuries. Woods, who at 33 has consistently matched and exceeded all golfing records, may have heard recent internet and tabloid reports that he was having an affair with Rachel Uchitel.

The news reports regarding the crash did not intially reference the infidelity stories, but the blogosphere soon began questioning a link.

The police report, above, indicates the one-car crash occurred just outside Woods' driveway.

The Orlando Sentinel reported:

Woods was transported to Health Central Hospital in Ocoee in serious condition, FHP said. No other information about his condition has been released.

A Health Central hospital employee said at 2:30 p.m. that Woods was not a patient. A hospital operator would not say if Woods had been treated and released.

FHP said the airbags in Woods' Cadillac Escalade did not deploy, which means the vehicle was traveling under 33 mph.

Orange County Fire Rescue received the call for aid at 2:28 a.m. Woods was transported from his Windermere-area neighborhood by the hospital's own ambulance.

An Orange County Sheriff's Office official said his agency received it's call for assistance at 2:27 a.m. An operator was told the driver was injured and still inside the vehicle.

FHP did not report the accident until just after 2 p.m. today. The agency said the crash remains under investigation and charges are pending.

Golf fans the world over are hoping for the best for Tiger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb2qJpDR6PQ&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUnNq1lFFbU

In any car wreck with injuries, assesing damages can be an issue. Wage and income loss, in particular, can be difficult to assess. Tiger Woods, the richest athlete in the world, would be an extreme example. How much would Tiger lose if he couldn't golf?

Tiger crashed his own car, and it sounds like he won't be seriously injured. If another driver were involved, insurance coverage would be a major issue. No one carries enough insurance to fully compensate Tiger, should he be unable to work.

For Tiger, and anyone else injured in a car accident, getting a lawyer who will be able to calculate and argue for full and fair lost earnings would be crucial. My partner Mike Bryant, and I have been representing such people for years, and have written many articles and taught many classes to other lawyers on these subjects.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Joe Crumley

Wisconsin Going In The Right Direction On Auto Insurance

Mike Bryant — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:33:00 GMT

It is amazing how often clients who return after a second automobile collision have additional automobile insurance coverage the second time. The first one taught them how important it is to stack their coverages and to buy enough to protect their family. It's one of those long term benefits that insurance companies never seem to admit. I'm sorry that they were hurt again, honored that they would seek our help again, and heartened that they learned and protected themselves.

It was nice to read that Wisconsin helped the first time insurance consumer:

They eliminated reducing clauses, so that insurance companies can no longer deduct the amount of insurance carried by a negligent driver from the uninsured or underinsured coverage purchased by an injured policyholder, allowing policy holders to access the full amount of insurance they have purchased.
Mandated that drivers purchase auto liability insurance
Increased minimum limits to require that polices must cover “$50,000 because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and, subject to such limit for one person, $100,000 because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident, and $15,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.
Required all liability policies to include underinsured motorist coverage with limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.
Required that the holder of an umbrella or excess liability policy reject in writing an offer of underinsured and uninsured coverage.
Insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage for hit-and-run accidents because no physical contact occurred.

There is a lot of great coverages here that will protect all Wisconsin drivers. Hopefully, legislators in Minnesota will be looking this bill over. Each of these provisions would make for greater coverages for Minnesotans if they were added.

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: What is my case worth?

Mike Bryant — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:20:00 GMT

During the month of June, I am addressing common questions that get asked in our practice. Today's Question is: What is my case worth?

Very rarely can anyone tell you that at the start of your case. If your damages are serious and there is minimal coverage, the settlement may be quicker because of those limits. But there are often issues beyond that, such as subrogation rights, other coverages or defendants who may need to be investigated before the settlement. But, if you have the usual case, it will depend upon the way the injuries affect your life, the opinions of your doctor, and what ongoing medical care that you need which will determine the case value. As I tell each client, your hope is that your case isn't worth much. That means you got better. Those are some of the happiest clients I've ever had. They didn't get much, but their bills were paid and they have no ongoing issues.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

No Fault Auto Insurance: Stack Your Policies If You Can

Mike Bryant — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:21:00 GMT

In Minnesota, every auto insurance policy is sold with minimum No Fault limits of $20,000 in Medical and $20,000 in wage loss. With some companies, you can buy more coverage in each of these categories. Since wage loss is paid at the amount of $250.00 per week, upping those limits are important to almost any income.

The easiest way to increase your limits is if you have multiplied cars on the same policy. In this case, you can stack those benefits. Basically, your benefits are multiple by the number of cars. Two cars will double the total limits and the weekly wage loss payment. When comparing the price to the actual benefit is received, stacking the benefits are a very small increase.

At the time you are sold your coverage, you are supposed to be asked if you want to stack your benefits. Usually insurance agents will have you sign off if you don't want the coverage. Make sure you understand what it is you are turning down and what the extra coverage would cost.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant