Missouri Law Help » Insurance

Passenger in car crash receives settlement after airbag was deactivated by vehicle owner

admin — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:00:06 +0000

Meyerkord Law Firm recently reached two policy limit settlements for a client who was injured when she received injuries as a passenger in a car accident. Last year our client suffered serious injuries when an uninsured motorist lost control and crossed the median striking a pick-up truck in which our client was a front-seat passenger. The offending driver had no insurance. Our firm filed an uninsured motorist claim and reached a policy limit recovery of $50,000.00. Because we had thoroughly photographed the truck before it was salvaged we determined that the passenger-side airbag switch located on the dashboard had been turned to the “off” position using the vehicle owner’s key. We interviewed the owner of the truck who admitted to deactivating the airbag because he sometimes transports audio equipment which he did not want damaged by the airbag should he be in an accident. With our proof in hand, Meyerkord Law Firm went back to the insurance carrier and secured an additional $100,000.00 recovery for our client based on their insured’s negligence in deactivating the passenger airbag. We were able to show that the owner of the truck suffered minor injuries in the crash because he was protected by his airbag and that our client suffered major injuries because her airbag was deactivated.

The Meyerkord Law Firm, L.C. has provided the materials on this website for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice. The use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Additionally, e-mail or other communication with our attorneys through this site should not be considered confidential or privileged.

Report Your Car Accident in Missouri so the Facts Get Recorded

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:12:33 +0000

Making a record is what lawyers call the process of recording information for future use. Making a record is necessary because people often forget small but important details as time progresses. Remember playing the telephone game as child? As an adult we should remember the telephone game and call for police assistance when involved in a Missouri car accident. A good rule of thumb to follow is that a call to the police should be made if property damage or injury is apparent. Upon arrival to a car accident scene, Missouri police officers will interview the parties to the car crash, witnesses, and take measurements. The location, time and date will be recorded along with weather conditions. In most instances the officer will state what he or she believes to be the “probable contributing circumstance” to the Missouri car accident. Our rules of evidence will usually prevent the officer’s opinion concerning probable contributing circumstances to be shown to the jury, but insurance companies often do place importance on such findings when determining whether to accept liability for their driver involved in the car accident. The next time you are involved in a Missouri car accident call the police to report property damage and personal injury just as soon as it is safe and practical. Otherwise you may fall prey to bad memories and a bad conclusion to your insurance claim.

State Farm “No Pay” Med Pay

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:45:46 +0000

Yesterday I wrote a bit about med pay insurance and why I believe it is a good investment. Today I learned that in May of 2009 State Farm changed its policy concerning medical payment coverage in auto injury cases. State Farm states in a memo that it will no longer provide duplicate payment of medical bills, specifically when their insured receives a liability settlement, underinsured motorist or uninsured motorist settlement. The effect of this is to significantly reduce the instances in which State Farm will be liable to pay under their policies. If the policyholder elects to purchase med pay and pays their premium why should State Farm not provide coverage for accident related bills? Most med pay claims are small because most policies provide minimal, however helpful benefits. Hopefully other carriers will see the benefit of providing their customers with first dollar payment of med pay claims.

Geoff Meyerkord
Attorney At Law

Will Using My Medical Payments Insurance Raise My Rates?

admin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:57:50 +0000

I would suggest to my friends and clients that you add medical payments coverage to your car insurance. This coverage will pay medical bills if you are in a car crash – even if you cause the accident. It is inexpensive coverage and will not raise your rates if you use it because it is considered no-fault insurance. You can find out if your current insurance policy includes medical payment coverage by looking at your declarations page. Call me to discuss or email us.

The Meyerkord Law Firm, L.C. has provided the materials on this website for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice. The use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Additionally, e-mail or other communication with our attorneys through this site should not be considered confidential or privileged.