1% at Fault in an Auto Accident

Video Transcript:
Cindy Speaker: What if I was one percent at fault in an auto accident, can I recover compensation? That’s our topic on this episode of Main Street Law. My guest is North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney, Michael A. DeMayo of the law offices of Michael A. DeMayo. So Michael thanks for being here today.

Michael A. DeMayo: Pleasure to be with you Cindy.

Cindy Speaker: Well Michael, what is the answer to that question? Suppose I was rear-ended by another driver and I’m injured but I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, what happens to my claim?

Michael A. DeMayo: In North Carolina Cindy that really doesn’t matter. In North Carolina, we’re one of three states that have what’s called contributory negligence. So if you’re even one percent at fault, you don’t recover anything. One of the few exceptions is they cannot introduce evidence that you weren’t wearing your seatbelt. So that will not be a bar to recovery. But any other form of negligence generally would be.

Cindy Speaker: Now what is the difference between contributory and comparative negligence?

Michael A. DeMayo: Generally, most states in the United States have a version of comparative negligence which essentially says, “If you’re less than 50% at fault, you recover less your percentage.” For example if you were deemed to be 20% at fault and the defendant 80%, you would get full recovery less 20%. So you get an 80% recovery. There are three states, North Carolina being one of them, where if you’re even one percent at fault, you don’t recover.

So the example would be North Carolina and South Carolina. In North Carolina, you’re going down the road, someone pulls out in front of you, they alleged your speeding, you’re more than one percent at fault for that because you were speeding, and you would recover nothing. In South Carolina, let’s say they attribute 20% to you at fault because you were speeding. You would still recover less the 20%. So it’s a huge distinction. North Carolina has a very strict rules and regulations about how you can recover if you’re involved in an accident and it’s very important that you not give any information out before you seek legal help.

Cindy Speaker: Okay. Now you said North Carolina is one of the only three states that has this law?

Michael A. DeMayo: That’s correct, North Carolina is one that—North Carolina, I believe its Virginia, Alabama and there is one other state. I believe it may be the District of Columbia. But there’s generally only a few states in the entire nation that still have this law because it’s fairly antiquated and it’s pretty unfair because even if you’re one percent at fault, you recover nothing and people sometimes don’t get that. And unfortunately, when they don’t get that and they don’t do the proper things at the onset of their case, sometimes, that causes their case to be denied or devalued significantly.

Cindy Speaker: Well Michael, do you see any hope of North Carolina changing to comparative negligence?

Michael A. DeMayo: Ironically, there were some provisions actually this year in an effort to make the change, but the other side—the insurance industry put in so much other negative provisions into the bill that it really wasn’t worth giving up joint and several liability, paid versus billed, it wasn’t really worth giving up to get comparative, so it did not pass.

Cindy Speaker: Okay. Michael, what are some of the cautions in dealing with the insurance company?

Michael A. DeMayo: Well generally, the insurance company, their job is to get rid of you quick, cheap, and quiet. That’s how they get paid, that’s how they make money. The attorney’s job is diametrically opposed. Obviously the better we do for a client, since we work on contingency, the better we do financially. So we have a vested interest. We have a built-in interest to do well for the client where as the insurance company has the opposite. From a practical standpoint, some of the tricks that the insurance companies will use is right after the accident, they’ll give you what they call a short sale or quick settlement offer, they’ll get you to sign sometimes a medical authorization which is a big mistake, and sometimes they’ll do a recorded statement which is not required, although oftentimes they’ll tell you that it is.

Their job is to investigate the claim so that they can either deny it, delay paying it, or defend it if you go to court. So the reality is when people say the insurance company is being very nice, sure they’re being very nice, they don’t want you to get an attorney because statistics show that when you get an attorney, you generally recover three and a half times more with an attorney than without. So what that says is even someone like myself charging a third, the client’s net recovery is always going to be better as a general rule with me as opposed to without me.

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And every once in a while, we’ll get a case where we say, “You know what, we’re really not going to add value,” we’ll tell the client that. We’ll be very honest and say, “Listen, you know your case is small. You only went to the doctor a few times. There’s only X amount of value for your pain and suffering, we’re not going to benefit you as much such that us taking our fee, you’re going to come out the same. So we’re not going to take your case. But think about us in the future if you should need us.”

Cindy Speaker: Excellent, great information. Well Michael, if someone has specific questions how can they reach you?

Michael A. DeMayo: They can certainly contact us by our toll free number which you can reach us anywhere in the United States, which is toll free 877-333-1000. We answer our phones 24/7, 365 days a year. Or obviously if they want to do a little research on our firm, they can go to www.demayolaw.com and they have a myriad number of abilities to get in touch with our office or ask questions or do research so that they can feel comfortable about our experience, knowledge, and our dedication to them.

Cindy Speaker: Very good. Well Michael, thank you so much for your time today.

Michael A. DeMayo: My pleasure.

Cindy Speaker: This is Cindy Speaker for State Law TV.

Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer for an Accident Claim?

We are taught in nearly every school in the world to care for our medical and personal health, but often our legal and financial health is overlooked. No one teaches us to consult with a legal advocate when we are injured or wronged, which seems to be a grave disservice to us.

The reasons for using a personal injury lawyer are to protect your lifestyle and your financial health, as well as your family and your future. While many of us do not consider seeking out an attorney immediately upon injury, it’s quite often the best time to accomplish it in order to assure a full and complete recovery from our injuries-both personal and financial.

When Should I Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer?

When you have been injured in an accident, chances are good that the only thing on your mind is feeling better. You are concentrating on healing from the injuries that you have sustained.  Pain has a tendency to cloud our thinking and to make real consideration of what took place and how to recover from it something you’re not actually thinking about.

In many cases this recovery is paramount in your mind, with all other considerations being secondary.

The cost of being out of work, as well as being ill and requiring medical treatment can be exorbitant. You will quite likely also be concerned about spending anything further.  For this reason alone, you may be hesitant to hire a personal injury lawyer.

For many of us, it follows that we probably won’t consult with a personal injury lawyer until much later-if we do at all. This can be a serious mistake on our part.

The time that immediately follows the personal injury is a time when we are not concentrating on what has taken place, but only our own pain.

Realistically this is a time when we need to consider not just the present, but also the future that you may face. Many people neglect to realize that the injuries that you sustain, even if you consider them to be minor, can affect your entire life.

Immediately following an injury is when the best evidence may be gleaned and the most important statements may be taken. Comments from those who have witnessed what took place are more likely to be pertinent and honest when the incident is fresh in their mind.

Waiting to consult with an attorney may not be in your best interests. Personal injury lawyers can tell you what your rights may be, as well as to advise you on the steps you should be taking. They may also help you to procure the evidence you need should legal action be necessary to protect your interests.

Doesn’t it Cost a Lot to Get a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis which means that they only get paid if your recover compensation.  They then recover a percentage of the award that you are given. If you think that handling the situation yourself is in your best interests, you should probably reconsider.

The defendant, especially if it is a company or corporation, such as an insurance company, will definitely have legal representation working on their behalf. These attorneys know the law and know well how to manipulate it to their own advantage. You need an advocate who can accomplish the same thing for you.  The reality is that you can’t do the job as well as your personal injury attorney.

We try to cut corners in many cases, and to save a few dollars on the cost of an attorney. The end result is that we may in fact attain an award that is far less than we might otherwise have achieved.

Personal injury lawyers are specialists. They have spent years in the study of injury law and how the legal system works to award, or to deny the monetary compensation to the victims of an accident.

What if I Already Have a “Family” Lawyer?

Putting in a call to your family attorney, or your legal aid society is not going to achieve the same expert results that you will achieve if you contact a personal injury lawyer to attend to your needs. In much the same way as you would not contact a chiropractor to remove your tonsils; you need to seek out a specialist to help you to achieve the best and most fair award that you can receive for the injuries that you have suffered.

When you are injured, seek out a personal injury lawyer. They will be best able to help you to protect your interests as well as your future.

Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers

If you were the victim of a motor vehicle accident and were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you have an especially difficult task ahead. An uninsured driver is a driver with no insurance coverage at all; an underinsured driver is one with some coverage, but not enough to cover the damage he or she caused. (A hit-and-run driver is considered an uninsured motorist, at least until he or she can be identified.) In a no-fault state, your own PIP coverage should cover at least some of your injuries and property damage. But in an at-fault state, being hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver may mean there is no money at all available to cover your injuries. You are free to sue, of course, but most individuals are not wealthy enough to fully pay for a serious injury.

In at-fault states, and in no-fault states with low coverage limits, more and more drivers are responding to this risk by carrying uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance that supplements their basic policies. In fact, some states require it. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage compensates you for the costs of the accident, up to the limits of the uninsured/underinsured policy. Unfortunately, the actual cost of your injuries can still exceed those limits. And because uninsured/underinsured motorist claims can be difficult to document, some insurance companies make them difficult to collect.

The Adjuster Is Not Your Friend

Because we refer to “our” insurance companies, it can be easy to believe that insurance adjusters are here to help us. Unfortunately, that is just not true. Insurance companies are in business to make money, and premiums — the monthly or yearly payments we make to have insurance — are just part of their profit. Like any other business, insurers make more money if they keep costs low. In an insurance company’s case, that means paying less to people with expensive claims. The job of an insurance adjuster is to save the company money by settling your claim for as little money as possible.

If you were seriously injured in your accident, you may not be in the best position to fight with your insurance company. Hiring a lawyer may be the best decision you can make to protect yourself, your family and your future.

Property Damage Claims In A Motor Vehicle Accident

If you were injured in your accident, the chances are good that there was also damage to your property. Damage to your car, truck or other vehicle is the most common type of property damage, but any other property you lost or had to repair because of the accident should also qualify. The same auto insurance policy that covers your injuries should also cover all of your property damage.

Generally, claims of damage to your vehicle fall into two categories. If the insurance company says your car or truck is “totaled,” it means the repair costs are likely to be greater than the actual fair market value of the vehicle. That makes it not worth repairing, at least to the insurance company. (You are free to do what you like with a “totaled” vehicle.) The fair market value of the vehicle is determined by its age, condition, mileage, appearance, depreciation and other factors. Each insurer does this differently, and some take into account incidental costs like storage.

Because car loans and other financial obligations related to the vehicle are not considered in determining fair market value, your car or truck might be considered worth less than what you owe for it. This is especially likely with newer vehicles, which depreciate (lose value) quickly within their first few years of use. The insurance company is obligated to pay only the actual cash value of the vehicle immediately prior to the accident, not the cost of repairs you made or your original purchase price. A special type of insurance called gap insurance is designed for this situation; it pays the difference between actual cash value and any loans you still owe. Gap insurance is optional, but insurers will probably try to sell it to owners of new vehicles.

If the insurance company considers the vehicle repairable, it should pay for repairs by a body shop or a mechanic. Your insurance coverage may pay for your use of a rental car during repairs, or compensate you for the temporary loss of your car or truck. Some states allow you to choose your own repair shop; others allow the insurance company to choose. If you disagree with the insurance company’s estimation of the damage, you can sometimes get a second opinion from another repair shop.

Having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side will make this process easier.  In many cases personal injury lawyers will handle your property damage claim at no cost if you hire them to handle your injury claim.

Contacting Your Automobile Insurance Company

One of the most difficult things that auto accident victims and their loved ones have to deal with once the medical issues are under control, is interacting with one or more insurance companies. In 48 states auto insurance coverage is mandatory.  In Wisconsin and New Hampshire auto insurance is not mandatory as long as the resident has the financial resources to pay for any damage they cause in an accident.  However, having some auto insurance is not the same as having enough auto insurance — and some drivers break the law by carrying none at all. This is bad news if you rely on the other driver’s insurance policy to cover your injuries.

Before we go on, you should understand how insurance works in your state. There are two types of auto insurance systems in the United States, and which one you use usually depends on where you live. Most states are at-fault or tort states, which means the other driver is legally responsible for any injuries and financial costs caused by the accident. The other driver’s insurance policy is supposed to pay those costs, but you may have to sue to get payment if the facts are in dispute.

As of late 2008, eleven states have no-fault auto insurance systems. If your insurance policy is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP), you probably live in a no-fault state. In a no-fault system, your own insurance company pays the costs of your injuries, no matter whose fault it was. In exchange for that security, you cannot file a lawsuit over the accident unless you meet certain qualifications. In some states, your financial costs must be above a certain amount; in others, your injuries must be very serious (as defined by law).

Three states have “choice no-fault” systems, which means each individual may choose either an at-fault policy or a no-fault (PIP) policy. As of late 2008, those states are New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. If you are not sure what type of insurance you have, check your policy or ask your insurance adjuster.

Contacting Your Insurance Company

After you receive medical care and recover from the immediate effects of your accident, one of the first things you should do is call your insurance company. If you live in an at-fault state, you will probably also have to call the other driver’s insurance company. You should make that call as soon as you reasonably can, because waiting too long might make it look to the insurance company like you are exaggerating your injuries. Calling quickly is also part of your obligations under the contract you signed with your insurer.

This first call should be fairly short. Its purpose is only to give the insurance adjuster the basic facts about your accident and the information for the other driver’s insurance company, if there is one. In fact, during the call, the insurance adjuster on the other end should never ask to record you or ask you to sign anything, especially in exchange for money. If you get this kind of request, you may be dealing with a dishonest company; you should politely decline and call a lawyer as soon as possible.

During your initial call, the insurance adjuster will probably ask you who was at fault for the accident or who was to blame. He or she might also ask if anyone got a ticket. If this is disputed or you truly are not sure, just stick with the facts. During this or any other conversation with an insurer, it is important to avoid apologizing or accepting blame just to be polite, because that could be taken as an admission of guilt. And if you were knocked unconscious or taken to the hospital, you may not have gotten the full story. One way to get it is to get a copy of the accident report, if there is one, made by the police. If they will not release it, your insurance adjuster can get it for you and use it to start your claim.

Common Defenses Used by Insurance Companies

Experienced personal injury lawyers have years of experience with the misrepresentations, exaggerations and outright lies insurance companies commonly use after injury victims make a legal claim. One common defense is to suggest that the victim suffered from similar injuries before the accident, or that the victim was predisposed to the type of injury he or she suffered. Yet another defense is to try to prove that the victim’s injuries were not caused by the accident, but by other events in the victim’s life. When insurance companies cannot dispute the fault of their insureds (customers), they might resort to the age-old tactic of attacking a plaintiff’s character or preexisting medical history.

A good lawyer will successfully challenge these common defenses and help the victim present his or her injuries clearly, concisely and coherently. For example, even if you suffered from a similar medical problem (such as a back or neck condition) before the accident, your lawyer can help you prove that your previous injury was made worse as a result of your accident. Most state laws support the premise that a wrongdoer “takes his victim as he finds him.” This means victims are entitled to recover full compensation even if they were particularly susceptible to an injury, or predisposed to experience greater pain or suffering than could have been foreseen by the defendant.

For example, you have a bad back that never required surgery, but then you are involved in a serious car accident that aggravates the back condition enough to require surgery, you are entitled to recover compensation for the surgery. After all, you would not have needed it if the accident had never happened.

Ultimately, in most instances hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer is going to be the best decision you can make to adequately protect your legal rights and those of your family and your future.

Choosing A Personal Injury Lawyer

The lawyer you choose is one of the most important factors in the success or failure of your case. It is a decision you should make with care. Unfortunately, choosing a lawyer can be intimidating for people who have never been through the process before. You may be justifiably concerned about ending up with a lawyer with bad ethics or poor skills. In this article, we hope to ease those fears and provide a basic guide to finding a personal injury lawyer.

The first thing to consider is that lawyers, much like doctors, often concentrate their practices in specific areas of the law. If you need hip replacement surgery, you would probably see an orthopedic surgeon, not a cardiologist. Similarly, if you are in an accident, you will not want to hire a lawyer who focuses on divorce. Another type of lawyer may be able to help you, but he or she will not have the same experience and skills that a personal injury lawyer brings to a personal injury case. Personal injury lawyers understand the legal, procedural and evidentiary strategies that can maximize the value of your personal injury claim, because they work with these issues every day.

We find that most of clients value a recommendation from someone they know. For that reason, we recommend that you begin the search by talking to your family and friends. Ask if anyone can refer you to a personal injury lawyer who helped them get good results, or who they have heard good things about.

If nobody you know can recommend a lawyer, you can also start by considering lawyer advertisements. You have probably seen lawyer ads on television, in newspapers or in the Yellow Pages. Consistent advertisements from a particular lawyer show that his or her firm has been practicing for all of that time, and is likely to have the experience and resources necessary to take on insurance companies. In fact, insurance companies sometimes decide whether or not they will settle a case before a trial based on the reputation and experience of your lawyer.

If you are comfortable with computers and the Internet, you can try an Internet search. Using a search engine like Google, Yahoo! or MSN, you can easily search by both your location and the legal specialty you need. There are many ways to search for this information. Here are a few tips that may be helpful:

1. Search for a phrase instead of a single word. “Auto accident lawyer” will probably turn up more useful results than just “lawyer.”
2. Put the phrase you search for in quotes. This will tell the search engine to look for the entire phrase as you searched for it, not the individual words in the phrase. Without quotes, your results will be greater in number but not nearly as relevant to your search. Just make sure to spell everything correctly.
3. Narrow your search by including some geographical information. For example, if your auto accident happened in New York, you might want to search for “New York auto accident lawyer.” You need a lawyer in the state where the accident happened, even if that is not the state where you live or have legal residency.

The Initial Consultation

When you first call a law firm, your call may be taken by a lawyer, a paralegal, a case manager or an intake specialist. This person will ask you for basic contact information, as well as the details of your accident. Based on your answers, a lawyer will make an initial assessment of your case and may schedule a consultation. If you cannot travel to the law firm, many personal injury lawyers are willing to have the consultation on the telephone, in your home or at the hospital. Most firms make every effort to accommodate clients and potential clients with this type of need.

During the initial consultation, you will be asked for details about your accident and your injuries. Because details can be hard to remember, and because some clients feel intimidated or stressed by this meeting, we recommend that clients bring all of the documents they have that are related to the accident — things like police reports, hospital bills, your insurance policy and more. We always do our best to put clients at ease and explain everything as thoroughly as possible, without “legalese.”

Questions the lawyer is likely to ask at your consultation include:

1. Did anyone receive a ticket?
2. Was a police report made? If so, do you have a copy?
3. Did you take photos of the vehicle?
4. Did you take photos of your injuries?
5. Did you give a statement to police, insurance adjusters or anyone else?
6. Were there any witnesses, and if so, did anyone get their contact information?
7. How much damage was done to your vehicle?
8. What medical treatment have you had thus far? 
9. What medical treatment, tests or follow-up are currently recommended by your treating physician(s)?
10. How are you feeling?
11. How are your bills being paid?
12. What insurance companies are involved?

Once you have discussed all of this, the lawyer should bring up his or her fees. Most personal injury lawyers work on what is called a contingency-fee basis. This means that you are not required to pay for legal services unless and until the case has been won. The lawyer should have a fee agreement that specifies that he or she will be paid with a percentage of the financial settlement or verdict. The size of that percentage depends on whether the claim is resolved before or after the lawsuit is filed.

This arrangement may sound strange, but it remains popular because it allows lawyers to take strong cases brought by clients who might not be able to afford legal fees otherwise. We believe this is an essential and valuable part of our legal system, providing access to justice for everyone, no matter what their income or background might be.

Trucking Accidents with Peter Steinberg

Los Angeles personal injury attorney Peter Steinberg was a guest on StateLawTV to discuss trucking accidents. Cindy Speaker interviews Mr. Steinberg about the legal questions that arise when dealing with the aftermath of an accident with a large truck.
 

What is Social Security Disability

Video Transcript:

Cindy Speaker: What is Social Security Disability?  That’s our question on this episode of Main Street Law.  My guest is North Carolina attorney, David Daggett of Daggett Shuler Law.

So David, thank you for being with us today.

David Daggett: Thanks for having me with you, Cindy.

Cindy Speaker: Well, David, can you explain to us a little about what Social Security Disability is?

David Daggett: Sure, Cindy.  Social Security Disability is an insurance program through the United States Government to cover people if they become disabled form working.  It’s just like any other insurance policy.  You know the FICA that’s on your paycheck, that is actually and insurance payments to the government and that’s there to cover you if become disabled from working.  So this is something you pay into over your working career in order to cover you if you become disabled and can’t work any further.

Cindy Speaker: David, what are the standards for Social Security Disability?

David Daggett: In order to qualify for Social Security Disability, you have to be disabled from doing any gainful employment and have a work history of paying the insurance that we discuss into the program then you become eligible for Social Security Disability.

Cindy Speaker: Well, how do you go about the process?

David Daggett: Generally, what an individual has to do is fill out and file a Social Security Disability application.  You can either do that at your local Social Security office, or the application is now available online that you can complete to be submitted.  When you complete that application that then begins the Social Security Disability process, this process goes through the government agency and it’s processed through the paperwork and through a claims processing system with the government.

Cindy Speaker: How long does this usually take?

David Daggett: Unfortunately, one of the difficulties with Social Security Disability claims is in most part of the country, the Social Security Disability office is backlogged sometimes for a extended period of time.  This cost is quite a bit of a delay for disabled person and actually can put them in quite a bind when they’re out of work and can’t return to work and don’t have any other source of income coming in.  The most important thing for an individual to do is they believe they are disabled or have an impending disability, is to get that application filed to get the process started.

Cindy Speaker: Why should someone hire an attorney in a Social Security Disability case?

David Daggett: Hiring a qualified attorney in a Social Security Disability case can help an individual cut through some of the red tape of the process and an experienced lawyer knows how to work their way through the system a little more quickly, a little more efficiently and provide the necessary documentation so that the odds of successfully concluding your claim increases.

Cindy Speaker: I understand that there are national law firms doing Social Security Disability and some that advertise on cable TV and that sort of thing.  And let me ask you this.  Do you feel there is an advantage to hiring a local attorney rather than a national firm?

David Daggett: In North Carolina, it’s important to have a local attorney on your Social Security Disability claim for several reasons.  First, the North Carolina State Bar has a certification process for experienced Social Security Disability lawyers.  This certification process in which an attorney can become a board certified specialist in Social Security Disability, helps for the claimant to know and depend that they are getting an experienced lawyer to help them on their claim.

Further, hiring a lawyer who is board certified in Social Security Disability in North Carolina also means that you are getting a lawyer who is familiar with the local claims office, the local claims office personnel has presented cases before this very same administrative law judges, perhaps a number of times, and the familiarity with the system, again, can help an individual both with the efficiency of processing their claim as well as we believe enhanced the opportunities for having a successful outcome of your Social Security Disability claim.

Cindy Speaker: If someone is awarded Social Security Disability benefits, when do those payments begin?

David Daggett: If you’re awarded Social Security Disability benefits, typically, you are entitled to back benefits back to the date of your disability, through the present and then you have monthly payments then begin going on into the future as long as an individual remains disable.

Cindy Speaker: Well, David, if someone wants more information, how they can reach you?

David Daggett: Well, certainly, we would be please to answer any questions that any has regarding Social Security Disability claims, they can contact us toll free at 1-800-815-5500 or they can contact us trough out website at www.daggettsulerlaw.com.  We’d be happy discuss the merits of the case, provide guidance and representation if necessary.

Cindy Speaker: David, that’s terrific.  Thank you so much for your time today.

David Daggett: Thank you for having us.  We appreciate providing assistance to people who may need Social Security Disability.

Cindy Speaker: You’re welcome.  This is Cindy Speaker for State Law TV.

PWC Insurance

Video Transcript:

Cindy Speaker: Is it important to have insurance for your boat or jet ski? That’s our topic on this episode of State Law TV. My guess today is South Carolina Personal Injury Attorney George Sink of George Sink Injury Lawyers, and he is going to enlighten us. So George, welcome.

George Sink: Well thank you, Cindy. Glad to be here.

Cindy Speaker: Well, George, I think our topic is timely today. We’re in the middle of the summer season and there are a lot of people enjoying their boats and jet skis and such. But do they need to be concerned about purchasing insurance for their water crafts?

George Sink: Well, the hard thing to know is these water crafts, jet skis, and other things are smaller than boats. And they maneuver more quickly, faster, and there’s a lot more danger to them than boat, something your familiar with. And on top of that, comes the security that you get on the water. It’s peaceful, serene, you’re happy, nothing could be wrong and so yes, you do need some insurance to protect against certain problems that can arise with these crafts.

Cindy Speaker: Well, George, what does personal watercraft insurance typically cover?

George Sink: Well, it covers medical and property damage and a matter of fact, I personally have had need for this. I took one of these skidoos up on a oyster bed in South Carolina here and it caused a lot of damage. So, there’s so much fun that the property damage luckily was covered. But if I would have fallen off as you know, you can imagine on an oyster bed, I would have been personally injured the large extent but I couldn’t sue myself. But my passenger might have had some recourse against me. So, these things are very important especially this time of year.

Cindy Speaker: Now, does the law require you to carry this insurance or is it optional?

George Sink: No, it’s optional. We don’t have to have it. So you don’t have to have life insurance either. But sometimes, it’s a really good idea and so it really works to your benefit. The benefit of you, the participant, in case something were to go wrong, and you never know. So yes, it’s highly recommended.

Cindy Speaker: Well, George, in your line of your work, handling accident and injury cases, you deal with insurance issues all the time. If someone has specific questions along these lines, how can they contact your firm?

George Sink: At 1-800-849-SINK. You can call toll free or you can find us on the internet at www.sinklaw.com.

Cindy Speaker: Very good. Well, George, thank you so much for speaking to us today about the importance of personal watercraft insurance.

George Sink: Well thank you, Cindy. I enjoyed it.

Cindy Speaker: This is Cindy Speaker for State Law TV.