California Personal Injury and Insurance Blog

New Blog - Boston Auto Accident

Christopher Earley has a new blog that you should read. It is geared towards Massachussetts law, but he has some very valuable information. I suggest everyone take a read and bookmark it.

FAQ: Do they have to disclose their insurance to me?

Q: I was involved in an accident. Does the other person have to tell me the details of their insurance?

A: No. The Insurance Privacy Act protects this information unless the insured specifically authorizes the release of the information. However, they do have to tell you who the insurance company is and the policy number. Anything beyon that is confidential unless they choose to share it with you.

Free Book for My Readers

Yep, that's right. A free book for readers of my blog. The topic: Buying Car Insurance.

Now, you all probably have car insurance. And your agent has probably told you what you need to have. But, has your agent told you EVERYTHING you need to know? Probably not. So, I put together this free book. All you have to do is email me and I will send it to you. It includes a special offer at the back of the book - a $300 value.

After you read it, let me know your thoughts.

FAQ: How do I prove wage loss?

Q: I was injured in an accident. How do I prove my wage loss?

A: You should get a letter from your employer verifying that you missed time from work and your hourly wage. This, along with the doctor's note taking you off of work, would be sufficient proof of your wage loss.

FAQ: Do I have to give a recorded statement?

Q: I filed a homeowners insurance claim for damage to my house. The adjuster told me they want a recorded statement. Do I have to give them a recorded statement?

A: Probably not. Read your policy. You have a duty to cooperate. That usually does not include a recorded statement, but you do have to complete a proof of loss and give them any information they ask for. If you do not give them a recorded statement, they will probably demand an Examination Under Oath. For that, you should have an attorney present.

FAQ: Is the employer responsible?

Q: I left my car with a mechanic. One of his employees hit my car when he was driving his personal car. Is the mechanic/employer responsible?

A:  This hinges on whether the employee was working at the time.

Was he working at the time? If so, the dealer would be responsible for the actions of the employee. If he was not working at the time, you can either deal with your insurance company, the employee's insurance company or the employee directly.

They are not responsible just because it occurred on their property. You need to show that he was working or that the employer was benefitting from him being there at the time.

Off Topic: An interesting blog collection

For those of you who are in Sacramento, interested in Sacramento or just want to learn more about the capital of this state, I would urge you to look at IpsoSacto. It is a great collection of blogs by Sacramento bloggeres. (And, it lists my blogs!)

Enjoy!