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 - 10:30, Dawn Mefford-Besserman
   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
   10:45 - 12:00, Ann Marie Piana
   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
   1:00 - 2:15, Steven Aroesty
   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
   2:30 - 3:30, Steve Aroesty
   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
   3:30 - 4:30, Ann Marie Piana
   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

STEVEN AROESTY is the founder and owner of Steven  M. Aroesty, L.L.C. a personal injury law firm located in St. Louis and exclusively dedicated to representing injury victims and their families. Previously, he was associated with the plaintiff's firm of Brown & Crouppen where over a nine year period, he successfully resolved more than 1,700 injury claims. He also has prior experience defending injury claims and insurance coverage disputes while working in both private practice and as part of insurance company staff counsel. He earned his undergraduate degree at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York and his law degree at Washington University in St. Louis.

DAWN MEFFORD-BESSERMAN is an attorney with Paul J. Passanante, P.C. & Associates, where she concentrates her practice on personal injury litigation, including automobile negligence, medical malpractice, and product and premises liability cases. Ms. Mefford-Besserman is a member of The Missouri Bar, the Illinois State and American bar associations, the American Association for Justice, the Lawyers Association of St. Louis, the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the Women Lawyers' Association. Her published works include: "The Effect of Tort Reform on Medical Malpractice," Journal of the Missouri Bar, September/October, 2005; "Objections and Rulings on Evidence," Chapter 6, Missouri Bar Evidence Deskbook, 5th Ed., 2006; "Cross-Examination," Journal of the Missouri Bar, January/February, 2006; "Anticipated Constitutional Challenges to Tort Reform," Journal of the Missouri Bar, July/August 2006; and "How Federal Regulations Are Used to Build a Punitive Damages Claim in Trucking Accident Cases," Tort Trends, Vol. 44, No. 2., December 2008. Ms. Mefford-Besserman earned her B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from Southern Illinois University and her J.D. degree, cum laude, from Saint Louis University School of Law.

ANN MARIE PIANA is an attorney with the Missouri law firm of Eckenrode Maupin, Attorneys at Law, where she practices primarily in the areas of medical malpractice, premises liability, vehicular liability and personal injury litigation. She is licensed to practice in the states of Missouri and Illinois, and has more than 20 years of experience in civil litigation. Ms. Piana earned her B.B.A. degree from Texas Christian University and her J.D. degree from St. Louis University. She is a member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, The Missouri Bar, the Illinois State Bar Association and the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers (member, Board of Directors, 05/2000-06/2006) wherein she has chaired various committees, including the insurance and substantive law committee.

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