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

1. PROBE COMPLEX INSURANCE COVERAGE ISSUES
   9:00 - 10:15, Kimberly Turner Miller
   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, Jeanne W. Washburn
   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, Michael W. Washburn
   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, Michael W. Washburn
   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, Jeanne W. Washburn
   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

KIMBERLY TURNER MILLER is an attorney at the law firm of Hardison & Associates, where she practices in the area of personal injury. Ms. Miller is admitted to the North Carolina State Bar. She is a member of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, North Carolina State Bar and 10th Judicial District Bar. Ms. Miller earned her B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her J.D. degree from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.

JEANNE W. WASHBURN is a sole practitioner in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her main areas of practice are personal injury and workers' compensation. Ms. Washburn is a member of the North Carolina and Wake County bar associations and North Carolina Association of Justice. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and her J.D. degree from Campbell University.

MICHAEL W. WASHBURN is a partner in the Raleigh law firm of Brown, Crump, Vanore & Tierney. He has been practicing law for 17 years and currently practices in the areas of insurance defense litigation, automobile liability, trucking liability, trial practice, insurance coverage, uninsured/underinsured coverage, product liability, general premises liability litigation, pharmacy malpractice, municipality litigation, wrongful death, premises liability and property liability. Mr. Washburn was editor-in-chief, Campbell Law Review; Supreme Court Cases editor, Campbell Law Observer; and research assistant, Justice Louis B. Meyer, 1993 to 1994. He earned his B.A. degree from Davidson College and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Campbell University School of Law. Mr. Washburn is a member of the Wake County, the North Carolina and the American bar associations, The North Carolina State Bar and the Defense Research Institute.

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