Car Insurance

You Should Delay Signing a Release and Letting the Other Parties Insurance Company off the Hook Until Your Injuries Are Known and Treated.

March 20, 2019 | Vann H. Slatter

These days, driving in California is more dangerous than ever. The number of accidents has grown steadily, and with it the number of back injuries attributed to those car accidents. When you or someone you know is the victim of a car accident some injuries are visible right away, but the majority of injuries from car accidents are internal and difficult to spot.

Even more challenging is the fact that sometimes you feel fine right after the accident, maybe even after the initial shock of the accident wears off, and only days later do you start to realize the true scope of the injuries you’ve received. Back injuries in particular have been shown to often take days (or longer) to develop after a car accident without having any outside signs of the real damage your body has sustained.

A headache could often indicate soft tissue injury to the back or neck, and what you may think is whiplash can very frequently be instead a pinched nerve or herniated disc. Even low speed crashes that don’t seem particularly bad can result in numbness or some tingling in your limbs or fingers/toes and these have been shown to be linked to spinal cord injuries and damage to your lumbar region (your lower back).

Can I Recover For The Lost Resale Value Of My Vehicle From The Insurance Company?

August 6, 2016 | Vann H. Slatter

Over the years as a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles, clients have often asked me if they can recover the lost resale value (“market value”) of their vehicle after property damage arising from a collision. As is often the case in the law, the answer is “it depends.”

In this article, we discuss the circumstances that lead up to a loss of future resale value of a vehicle, the current law governing such cases, and what you need to know about this when purchasing an automobile insurance policy.

How Long Do I Have To File An Underinsured Motorist Claim With My Insurance Company?

August 6, 2016 | Vann H. Slatter

In our article entitled “What is Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage?” we explained what underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage is, and how it is different than uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. In this article, we discuss exactly how long you have to file an underinsured motorist claim with your insurance company from the time of the collision, and explain the recent legal cases that can help you recover from your insurance carrier.

First, it is helpful to understand exactly what UIM coverage is, and how it is different than UM coverage. If you haven’t read our articles on these subjects, here is a quick explanation of UIM coverage.

What Type Of Insurance Should I Carry On My New Car?

June 20, 2016 | Vann H. Slatter

Getting a new car can be a very exciting time in a person’s life. That new-car smell, all the newest technology, bells, and whistles. Looking out into the driveway to see it sitting there, new paint glimmering in the sun. You love your new car, and like a responsible driver, you purchased both comprehensive and collision coverage on your new vehicle. But is that enough to ensure that your new car is protected against the potential perils of the road, especially in busy cities such as Los Angeles?

In this article, we discuss new car replacement coverage, repair provision coverage, and Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) coverage.

Payment Of Your Medical Bills By Your Insurance Is Not Free

May 18, 2016 | Vann H. Slatter

In this article we explain how payment of your medical bills typically works in a personal injury claim, and discuss the concept of reimbursable med-pay.

How does med pay work in a personal injury claim?

So you were injured in an automobile accident that was not your fault. You suffered injuries to your neck and back, and some cuts and abrasions as well. You were taken by ambulance to the hospital from the scene of the accident, and continued with medical care and physical therapy as prescribed by your doctors. You hired an experienced attorney right away, who helped you find the right medical care and represented your interests, negotiating with the insurance companies and making sure that you received the compensation you deserve. During the course of your claim, some of your medical bills may have been paid by the med-pay portion of your auto insurance policy, your private health insurance, Medicare, or Medi-Cal.