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, Shannon D. Elsea
   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, W. Bradley Gilmer
   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, W. Bradley Gilmer
   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, David W. Hill
   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, Shannon D. Elsea
   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

SHANNON D. ELSEA is an attorney with the Memphis law firm of Gatti Keltner Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC. Mr. Elsea practices in the areas of automobile accident litigation and workers' compensation, exclusively in plaintiff's work. He has taught classes on workers' compensation, and has spoken previously before attorneys and paralegals on his area of practice. Mr. Elsea's memberships include the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association. He received his B.A. degree in history, cum laude, from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, and his J.D. degree from John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois.

W. BRADLEY GILMER is an attorney with the Memphis law firm of Domico Kyle, PLLC, where his practice is concentrated in the areas of medical malpractice defense, nursing home defense, product liability defense, railroad law and general civil defense. Mr. Gilmer is admitted to the Bar in Tennessee, the U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee, 6th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Gilmer is the co-author of "Termination of Life-Sustaining Medical Care Sparks Debate Regarding Federal Law", Medical Malpractice Law & Strategy, Vol. XVIII No. 2, December, 2000. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Mississippi and his J.D. degree from the University of Memphis. Mr. Gilmer is a member of the Memphis Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association.

DAVID W. HILL is an attorney at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, PLC, where he practices in the areas of mass torts, automobile, trucking, products liability and general negligence. Mr. Hill is licensed in Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee. He earned his B.S. and B.A. degrees from the Tennessee Technological University, his J.D. degree from the University of Memphis School of Law and his Master's of Education degree from Lincoln Memorial University. Mr. Hill is a member of the Tennessee Association for Justice, the Memphis Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association and the American Association for Justice.

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