Have you done any of the following things that could have possibly devalued your case or claim. Check the ones that apply to your case or claim.

___1.  Failure to seek immediate medical attention.

___2.  Delaying the treatment for your symptoms because you thought they would get better.

___3.  Failure to summon law enforcement to the accident scene.

___4.  Failure to file a station report of accident and/or SR1 form with DMV if law enforcement did not come to the scene    of the accident.

___5.  Telling law enforcement and paramedics that you are fine, when you are nervous, shaking, confused and disoriented following your accident.

___6.  Failure to record adequate identity, insurance and vehicle information on the adverse driver and vehicle.

___7.  Failure to take accident scene photos.

___8.  Failure to obtain witness information.

___9.  Failure to take visible injury photographs.

__10.  Movement of vehicles before police arrived (unless safety issues were present).

__11.  Delay in retaining counsel.

__12.  Failure to record information on vehicle movement and body position at time of impact on a minor property damage accident.

__13.  Giving a recorded statement to the adverse carrier stating that you were not injured and your symptoms developed after that.

__14.  Failure to give your attorney an accurate prior accident history.

___15.  Failure to give your doctor an accurate medical and accident and injury history.

___16.  Failure to go for recommended medical treatment and medical follow-up.

___17.  Missing doctor’s appointments without a good reason and/or not calling to cancel your appointment.

___18.  Failure to obtain a doctor’s excuse for missed work, even if not required by your employer.

___19.  Failure to tell your employer that your were involved in an accident.

___20.  Not keeping a record on days/hours of that you missed work.

___21.  Failure to report initial minor symptoms to your doctor and reporting them weeks or months later, when they become worse.

___22.  Arguing with defense counsel in deposition, arbitration, or trial.

___23.  Failure to obtain medical treatment for symptoms you are experiencing after discharge from doctor.

___24.  Telling the doctor that you are fully recovered so that you can get discharged from treatment.

___25.  Failure to give an accurate explanation to your doctor of any aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

___26.  Not giving adequate time and attention to the completion written discovery.

___27.  Not reviewing documentation on your case prior to deposition, arbitration or trial.

___28.  A prior accident was revealed during your deposition or arbitration or trial that you didn’t tell anyone about.

___29.  Not taking medication as prescribed.

___30.  Not advising your attorney of new medical treatment or diagnostic tests.

___31.  Not responding to your attorney’s telephone calls and faxes.

___32.  Delay in responding to your attorney’s requests for communication.

___33.  Allowing your emergency bills to go into collections because you didn’t pay your deductibles.

___34.  Lengthy therapy without referral to a doctor to verify the medical necessity of this treatment.

___35.  Obtaining treatment from providers who are unfamiliar with auto accident cases.

___36.  Failure to tell your healthcare providers how the  injuries are affecting your daily activities.

___37.  Failure to tell your doctor that your injuries are affecting your ability to sleep.

Most insurance companies will use computer programs to evaluate your auto accident claims. These programs consider the aforementioned factors to reduce the value of your auto accident claim.

HOW DID YOU SCORE?

7 or less checkmarks – minor reduction in value

8 to 15 checkmarks   – moderate reduction in value

16-20 checkmarks     – major reduction in value

over 20 checkmarks   – you probably received only a nominal offer or no offer on your claim.

  Were you or a loved one injured?  Call attorney Gary Doehling toll free 866-941-9370 for a free consultation.

Gary has an office in Snowmass Village and in Grand Junction. We will come to you so that you do not have to travel. 

Vail ski collision, Aspen ski collision, Snowmass ski collision, Beaver Creek ski collision, Winterpark ski collision, Keystone ski collision, Durango ski collision, Wolf Creek ski collision, Loveland ski collision.

There are many simple things you can do when snow falls to safely get to your destination.

If you have been injured in an auto accident please call Doehling Law for your free consultation:

(970) 241-9370

Many of the Colorado and Utah Ski resorts are opening early for the 2011-2012 ski season.  Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm wishes everybody a great and safe ski season.

Gary  Doehling Personal Injury law firm represents those skiers who have been involved in a ski collision and have been injured because of another skiers negligence.

Call toll free 866-941-9370 if you have been injured in a ski collision.

Did you know that Colorado personal injury attorney Gary Doehling is also licensed to practice in Utah? Gary has worked several cases throughout his 28 year carreer in the State of Utah.  If you are injured because of an automobile accident in Utah and and wish to have an personal injury attorney close to the Grand Junction or Snowmass Village, Colorado area, please call attorney Gary Doehling at 866-941-9370 for a free consultation 866-941-9370.  www.doehlinglaw.com

Utah is a beautiful State and we hope your enjoy your time exploring all it has to offer.  Moab, Green River, Lake Powell, St. George & Vernal.

Personal Injury Related Questions? Ask the Insurance Claims Manager.

Q.

. No it is NOT true. I evaluated and worked personal injury claims for 18 years as a claims manager for an insurance company and, most recently, three years as a claims manager for a personal injury attorney. The three times incurred medical personal injury settlement concept is a MYTH. To illustrate, compare the following scenarios:

- Joe was in an auto accident and broke his arm because of the negligence of another party. He went the emergency room and had his arm placed in a cast. The broken bone healed with no further complications, the cast was removed and Joe had physical therapy. Total medical expenses incurred were $4,000.00

- Bill was in the same auto accident. He did not have any broken bones but did have general soreness, stiffness in his neck, shoulders and back. The hospital conducted a series expensive diagnostic testing (CT Scan or MRI etc…) all of which were negative. Bill did not seek any follow up treatment. He incurred a hospital and radiology bill in excess of $6,000.00.

Under the three times medical theory, Joe should receive $12,000 and Bill should receive $18,000 to settle their personal injury claims. However, Joe had a more significant and debilitating injury than Bill. Joe probably took longer to heal and his activities were more limited. Bill probably recovered rapidly without significant restriction of his activities. Bill’s medical expenses were incurred for expensive diagnostic tests. Joe’s medical expenses were incurred for treatment. Because of these factors, my experience reflects that Joe would have been offered more money to settle his personal injury claim that than Bill, notwithstanding the fact that Bill had incurred more in medical expenses.

Each individual personal injury case must be evaluated on its own merits and many factors must be considered in determining a fair settlement. One size does not fit all. This is why it is important for an injury victim to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney before agreeing to settle.

*Scott Krug, CPCU has worked, evaluated and settled personal injury claims for the past 21 years. He was a claims representative and claims manager for an insurance company for 18 years and is currently the claims manager for Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm, P.C in Grand Junction and Snowmass Colorado, www.doehlinglaw.com.

Spanish speaking clients involved in an bus or auto accident in Colorado or Utah are invited and encouraged to contact Gary Doehling P.C. on our toll free number 866-941-9370 for a free consultation with attorney Gary Doehling. 

Gary Doehling P.C. understands the need for clear communication and has witnessed the frustration that Spanish speaking clients have incurred when dealing with insurance companies.  We have a translator on staff and we will work to resolve your injury claim with the insurance company.

    The Governor’s Highway Safety Administration reports that there were over 4,700 motorcycle accident fatalities in 2009, noting the first time in 12 years that the number of fatalities has declined. In Colorado, the number of deaths decreased as well, down over 10 percent from the 2008 high of 98.

A recent report by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) states that there are nearly 175,000 registered motorcycles in the state. With more and more motorcyclist on the road, it is important for riders and drivers of other vehicles alike to take notice and help the number of accidents and fatalities continue the downward trend.

Staying Safe

Though experts recommend wearing proper protective gear while riding, including gloves, eye protection and a jacket, perhaps the best way to protect yourself is to wear a properly fitting helmet. In Colorado, the CDOT statistics note that two-thirds of those killed in motorcycle accidents during 2009 were not wearing helmets. Nationally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) estimates that wearing a helmet can reduce motorcycle accident fatalities by up to 37 percent.

Though lack of head protection is a major factor in motorcycle related deaths, the use of helmets by riders has been consistently on the rise. The NHTSA estimates that in 2009, 67 percent of riders were wearing a helmet, up from 48 percent in 2005.

The other major contributing factor in motorcycle fatalities is the use of alcohol. As with the operation of any motor vehicle, you should avoid using alcohol if you plan on riding. The CDOT reports that 40 percent of all motorcycle accident deaths involved alcohol use by the operator last year, up 6 percent from 2008.

Increasing Awareness for Drivers of Cars and Other Vehicles

The insurance company Allstate has released a list of motorcycle safety tips for drivers of motor vehicles to keep in mind when sharing the road with motorcycles. The tips note that the main reason motorcyclists crash is because drivers of cars and other vehicles do not see them. Because motorcycles are smaller, they can easily disappear in blind spots and be closer in mirrors than they appear.

Giving motorcyclists enough room is also emphasized by Allstate. Bikers will often slow down by downshifting instead of using their brakes, meaning that drivers behind motorcycles may not see brakes lights as the rider slows down. Also, it is difficult for bikers to slow down or stop quickly on wet roads. Allowing more following distance in wet or slippery conditions can help save lives.

The company notes that 80 percent of motorcycle accidents will result in death or some form of injury, as riders lack the protection of a car and its safety devices like airbags and seat belts. It is important for all riders and drivers to be more aware and safely share the road during the peak riding season.

Article provided by Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm, P.C.

Please visit us at www.doehlinglaw.com

A Mesa woman was killed this morning after rolling her sport-utility vehicle, injuring two others.

The Colorado State Patrol said Courtni J. Bieser, 23, was driving east on County Road 330E, approximately 22 miles east of Collbran, when her 1996 Nissan Pathfinder lost control on a curve, went off the road and rolled multiple times down an embankment about 50 feet from the road. Bieser, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. The accident was reported just after midnight.

A front seat passenger, Joseph Bieser, 22, of Mesa, was wearing a seat belt and was treated at the scene for minor injuries, troopers said. Hannah Etcheverry, 18, of Collbran, was riding unrestrained in the back seat and was ejected. She was taken to Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs reportedly in stable condition.

If you had benn injured in an accident you are welcome to contact Gary Doehling Personal Injury Law Firm, P.C. at (970) 241-9370.