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, Robert T. Wetherell
   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, Robert Beck
   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, Chris Graham
   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
   2:00 - 3:00, Wm. Breck Seiniger Jr.
   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, Robert T. Wetherell
   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

ROBERT BECK is an attorney in his office, Robert Beck & Associates, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Mr. Beck has enjoyed the challenges of being a trial attorney for more than 21 years. He has resolved or assisted in resolving over 550 cases involving work injuries, personal injuries and mass torts. Mr. Beck majored in English Literature and graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He attended law school at the Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington, and graduated from the University of Idaho, College of Law in Moscow, Idaho. Following law school, he worked in the oil and gas industry for the Exxon Corporation in Texas. Since then, Mr. Beck has practiced law in Idaho and Utah, where he is licensed.

CHRIS GRAHAM is an attorney in the Boise law firm of Trout Jones Gledhill Fuhrman, P.A., where he focuses his practice on commercial litigation, employment law and insurance matters, including coverage and defense. Mr. Graham attended Boise State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He earned his J.D. degree, cum laude, from the University of Idaho College of Law, where he was editor-in-chief of the Idaho Law Review. While in law school, Mr. Graham worked as a judicial extern for the U.S. District Court Judge, Edward J. Lodge. Following graduation from law school, he worked as a judicial law clerk for Idaho Supreme Court Justice Jesse R. Walters. Mr. Graham is admitted to practice in all courts in the state of Idaho, the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a member of the Idaho State Bar (Litigation, Employment and Labor Law sections), the American Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute and the Idaho Association of Defense Counsel.

WM. BRECK SEINIGER JR. is an attorney at Seiniger Law Office in Boise. He began his practice of law in Idaho in the 1970s, where he has focused his practice on personal injury, workers' compensation and employment law. His trial practice includes numerous jury and bench trials. Mr. Seiniger is an honors graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and the University of Idaho College of Law. He is a member of the Idaho State Bar, Oregon State Bar, District of Columbia Bar and the Washington State Bar Association. Mr. Seiniger has been recognized by fellow lawyers for some of the most prestigious honors in the legal field, including being named in The Best Lawyers in America and receiving the highest-possible rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He is also a frequent lecturer on litigation topics.

ROBERT T. WETHERELL is a partner with the Boise law firm of Brassey, Wetherell & Crawford, L.L.P. Mr. Wetherell has had extensive trial experience in almost all aspects of litigation and appellate practice. His areas of practice include environmental defense and coverage issues, products liability, automobile negligence, wrongful termination and personnel matters, defense of governmental entities, real estate and commercial litigation. Mr. Wetherell earned his B.A. degree from St. John's University and his J.D. degree from the University of Idaho. Upon graduation, he became a law clerk to Judge Fred M. Taylor and Judge Ray McNichols of the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. Mr. Wetherell is a member of the Idaho State Bar, The Idaho Association of Defense Counsel and the Boise Adjusters Association. Mr. Wetherell is an AV rated attorney with 27 years of trial experience and speaks often as a presenter in trial skills seminars.

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