Regardless of how careful they are, the odds are good that your clients will be in a car accident at some time in their life. These cases are difficult enough when everything goes "right." But what if you run into trouble - determining who was liable, dealing with the insurance adjuster, computing damages or handling some other key issue? With challenges like these, you need more than just a working familiarity with the claims process. You need to be thoroughly up to speed in every stage and every step.

Expand your knowledge of automobile claims and insurance coverage with this detailed review, and improve your track record for settling cases in favor of your client. Expertly figure out the scope of insurance coverage, determine what's covered - and what isn't - and get clients every dime they're owed. Obtain all the information regarding the facts of the case in discovery to avoid costly surprises later. Skillfully use mediation and alternative dispute resolution to arrive at a reasonable settlement out of court and end the claim without further costs to your client. Do the best job possible of presenting your case in trial to ensure your client comes out on top. Remember, automobile injury claims are won or lost on your ability to manage the claims process error-free.

1. Probe Complex Insurance Coverage Issues
2. Conduct Initial Investigations, Gather Evidence and Prepare Experts
3. Settle the Claim Without Going to Court
4. Know How to Walk the Ethical Line
5. Take the Case to Trial

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. PROBE COMPLEX INSURANCE COVERAGE ISSUES
   9:00 - 10:15, Written by Edward P. Rowan.
   Presented by Will O. (Trip) Walton III in Montgomery and Edward P. Rowan in Mobile.
   1. Common Concerns Related to Insurance Liability Provisions
   2. What is Liability Coverage?
   3. How Medical Payment Coverage Can Wreak Havoc in Your Case
   4. A Detailed Look at Personal Injury Protection Coverage
   5. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverage - Rules You Must Know
   6. Little-Known Facts About Property Damage Coverage
   7. Playing the Stacking and Offsets Game
   8. Punitive Damages Coverage - What Your State Allows
   9. Statute of Limitations: Rules and Expectations
   10. Manage Your Liability Risk in Coverage Disputes
   11. Impact of Recent Legislation and Case Law on Your Claim
2. CONDUCT INITIAL INVESTIGATIONS, GATHER EVIDENCE AND PREPARE EXPERTS
   10:30 - 11:45, Written by Mark R. Ulmer.
   Presented by Will O. (Trip) Walton III in Montgomery and Mark R. Ulmer in Mobile.
   1. The Adjuster's Role in Gathering All the Facts
   2. Methods of Accident Reconstruction
   3. Key Issues in Discovery - Pay Attention!
   4. How to More Easily Determine Who's Liable
   5. Factors to Consider When Computing Damages
   6. How the Vehicle May be Your Best Evidence
   7. Challenges Involved in Preparing Expert Witnesses for Trial
   8. How to Prepare Lay Witnesses That Don't Fall Apart in Trial
3. SETTLE THE CLAIM WITHOUT GOING TO COURT
   12:45 - 2:00, Written by Edward P. Rowan.
   Presented by Lindsey Simmons in Montgomery and Edward P. Rowan in Mobile.
   1. How the Adjuster's Settlement Authority is Restricted
   2. What Works When Negotiating With Attorneys and Claimants
   3. Maneuver Your Way Through Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
   4. Clear Up Confusion About Consent to Settle and Subrogation
   5. Lien Considerations to Be Aware of
   6. Procedures for the Review of Settlement Documents
   7. The Consequences of Reneging on Settlement
4. KNOW HOW TO WALK THE ETHICAL LINE
   2:15 - 3:15, Written by Mark R. Ulmer.
   Presented by Lindsey Simmons in Montgomery and Mark R. Ulmer in Mobile.
   1. Common Threats to the Attorney-Client Relationship
   2. Dealing Fairly With Conflicts Involving Multiple Defendants
   3. The Ethics of Disclosing Information Which Defeats Coverage
   4. How Issues of Legal Liability and Ethics Intersect
5. TAKE THE CASE TO TRIAL
   3:15 - 4:30, Written by Mark R. Ulmer.
   Presented by Lindsey Simmons in Montgomery and Mark R. Ulmer in Mobile.
   1. What to Expect When Establishing Jurisdiction
   2. Choose Your Trial Methods: Jury or Non-Jury?
   3. Using Experts, Evidence and Exhibits in Court to Gain an Edge
   4. The Dangers in Using Law Enforcement as Expert Witnesses
   5. The Secrets to Delivering an Effective Direct Examination
   6. Prepare for the Unknown During the Cross-Examination
   7. A Checklist of Points to Include in Your Closing Argument

LINDSEY SIMMONS is an attorney with King, Horsley & Lyons, where her main areas of practice are personal injury, medical negligence, employment law, appeals and fraud. She is a member of the Alabama State Bar and is admitted to all state and federal trial courts in Alabama. Ms. Simmons is active in the Alabama Association for Justice, serving as a co-chair of the Membership Committee of the Emerging Leaders Section. She also is a member of the Birmingham Bar Association, in which she was selected to serve as the Secretary to the Workers' Compensation Section, and actively participates in the Women's Section. Ms. Simmons earned her B.A. degree from the University of Alabama and her J.D. degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.

WILL O. (TRIP) WALTON III is the owner/manager of Walton Law Firm, P.C., in Auburn and Montgomery, Alabama, where he practices in the areas of traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, personal injury, tractor trailer accidents, automobile accidents, criminal law, driving under the influence, and drugs and narcotics. He has lectured to the Alabama Trial Lawyers, the Alabama Paralegals Association, police and state troopers, as well as for classes at Auburn University. Mr. Walton also has written an article titled "Killer Trucks," which was presented to the Peoples Court Law School. He earned his B.S. degree from Auburn University and his J.D. degree from the University of Alabama. Mr. Walton is a member of the Lee County and American bar associations, and the Alabama State Bar, the State Bar of Georgia, the American Association for Justice, the Alabama Association for Justice, the Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice, the North American Brain Injury Society (NABIS), the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He also has chaired the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee for the Alabama State Bar from 1998 to the present.  Mr. Walton also is a life member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum - The Top Trial Lawyers in America.   

EDWARD P. ROWAN is an attorney with the law firm of Taylor Martino Zarzaur, P.C. in Mobile, Alabama, where he practices in the areas of automobile litigation, insurance bad faith, mass torts and products liability litigation. Mr. Rowan is a member of the Alabama State Bar, The Mississippi Bar, the American Bar Association, The American Association for Justice, the South Alabama Trial Lawyers Association and the Alabama Association for Justice. Mr. Rowan earned his B.A. degree from Birmingham-Southern College and his J.D. degree from the University of Alabama.

MARK R. ULMER is a partner in the Mobile law firm of Ulmer, Hillman & Ballard, P.C., where his practice is concentrated in the areas of insurance defense law, litigation, personal injury law and employment law. From 1980 to 1982, Mr. Ulmer was the assistant attorney general for the state of Alabama and has served as assistant city attorney for the city of Mobile. He has spoken for various professional groups on his areas of practice. Mr. Ulmer is a member of the Mobile Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association and the Defense Research Institute. He earned his B.A. degree from Washington & Lee University and his J.D. degree from Cumberland School of Law.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com