Recent Blog Posts
MY INSURANCE COMPANY WANTS ME TO ATTEND AN “INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EXAM,” WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Insurance companies have the right under almost all automobile insurance policies to verify you’re your medical treatment is “reasonably and necessarily incurred as a result of” the collision. One way the insurance company can almost always this is by asking you to see a doctor of their choosing. This is called an “Independent Medical… Read More »
WHY IS MY INITIAL OFFER FROM THE INSURER TO SETTLE MY INJURY CLAIM SO LOW?
One of the most common reasons given by potential clients for coming to see me is that the insurance company for the person or company that hurt them offered a ridiculously, insultingly low amount to settle their claim. “I’m not looking to get rich or retire on this…but what they offered didn’t seem at… Read More »
IS ONE’S UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRATION STATUS ADMISSIBLE AT TRIAL IN WASHINGTON COURTS?
Is One’s Undocumented Immigration Status Admissible at Trial in Washington Courts? Short answer: Generally, no. Almost four years ago now, on January 14, 2015, I published a blog entitled Immigrants, Illegal Status, and Personal Injury (also published in Spanish as ¿Es el Estatus de un Inmigrante Ilegal admisible en un Caso de Lesión Personal?). It addressed the… Read More »
DO I HAVE TO PAY BACK PIP BENEFITS FROM MY VERDICT OR SETTLEMENT?
Do I have to pay back PIP benefits out of my settlement or verdict? Sometimes, when a case is at its end — whether that is a settlement or a jury verdict – clients think that means the case is over. To many clients, it is a sad realization that a huge part of… Read More »
WHEN IS IT NECESSARY TO FILE A LAWSUIT?
To see an overview of the typical personal injury claim process, click here. The following are situations in which it can be necessary to file a lawsuit. This list is not exhaustive and this list is not legal advice. To the extent you believe it is necessary for you to file a lawsuit, please contact… Read More »
WHAT IS “BURDEN OF PROOF” AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR MY CASE?
In the law, there is a tendency to use big words. Even if the words themselves are small, legal professionals often use words that are difficult to understand. Such is the case with “burden of proof.” It means, simply, “who has to prove what and by what standard—or with how much evidence must something… Read More »
WHAT ARE THE COSTS TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH PERSONAL INJURY AND WRONGFUL DEATH CASES?
When I sit down with a potential new client, one of the important things we go over is what the case is ultimately going to cost them financially. As with almost all attorneys on personal injury and wrongful death cases, the attorney fee is going to be a percentage of the money we are… Read More »
BILL THAYER PRESENTS “ETHICS IN MEDIATION”
Bill Thayer (left) discussing “Ethics in Mediation” Bill Thayer of Schauermann Thayer Jacobs Staples & Edwards PS spoke as one of the presenters at a Continuing Legal Education course entitled “Ethics in Mediation” on December 6, 2018 at the Red Cross Building at Fort Vancouver. The course was presented by the Clark County Bar… Read More »
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING PROACTIVE IN GETTING BETTER
“Training Day” is one of my all-time favorite movies. Denzel Washington’s performance was totally deserving of his Oscar win. It also gave me a line to help explain to my clients why communication with medical providers is so important, and following through with a medical treatment plan is absolutely crucial. Denzel Washington’s character, Alonzo,… Read More »
WHAT IS A DECLARATIONS PAGE?
When I meet with a potential client who’s been involved in a car crash, I always ask them about their own auto insurance coverage. Specifically, the coverages I’m most curious about are Personal Injury Protection (“PIP”) and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (“UIM”). You can find helpful explanations of these coverages here, and here. In short, PIP… Read More »
