ITS NO SECRET: BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE OUT TO MAKE BIG PROFITS

Trial attorneys like those at the Law Offices of Gary Bruce are no stranger to the tactics and bottom lines of insurance companies.  However, most injured people have never had to deal with an insurance company for anything more than paying their monthly rate.  Fortunately, folks like Anderson Cooper of CNN are trying to educate the general population about the true motives and personalities behind the cute geckos, “good hands”, and sugary sweet sales ladies.  Insurance companies have one thing that drives all those TV ads and that’s profits. 

The way they relentlessly pursue those profits is by forcing the injured to remain suffering, denying their very purpose, and not compensating those who have suffered loss.  The engine by which they accomplish this has a name.  It is “Deny. Delay. Defend.”  This three pronged approach is geared to prevent an injured person from ever getting the help they deserve from an insurance company (while claiming they protect people).  Step one is to deny your claim in hopes that you will simply not pursue it further/not know what to do.  Step two is delay any action until you are willing to accept whatever they will offer due to your immediate need.  Step three is to defend against your claim tooth and nail to make it so burdensome and costly that you will stop pursuing it.

Those tactics are why speaking to a lawyer immediately after you have been injured is so important.  Watch the Youtube links below as Anderson Cooper pulls back the curtain and shows you how an insurance company treats your claim before you have one of the Good Guys on your side.

CNN 360 Auto Insurance Part 1
CNN 360 Auto Insurance Part 2

"Bike Rodeo" Event a Success

The event sponsored this past Saturday by Safe Kids of Columbus, Georgia and the Law Offices of Gary Bruce among others was a huge success.  Hundreds of Columbus families turned out for the bike helmet give away and free fitting event to promote child safety and accident prevention. 

Much of our staff was on hand to help for the event. For example, attorney Mark Jones was at the fitting station busy making sure that each child's helmet was worn correctly to provide maximum protection against accidents and injury.

After several hundred free helmets were passed out to children and fitted, safety personnel spent awhile checking bikes brought by children to make sure they were tuned up and safe.  Riding instructors were even on hand to give safety lessons and riding instructions to both kids and parents alike.  Following the lessons, the crowd stayed around for the pro's to show what not to attempt on your own during the BMX show featuring some high flying stunts.


Overall the event went wonderfully.  For more pictures, check out the local Ledger-Enquirer's site for more coverage of the event here.

"Bike Rodeo" Event this Saturday

The Law Offices of Gary Bruce is proud to be a sponsor of this weekend's "Bike Rodeo" being hosted by Safe Kids of Columbus, Georgia.  As a personal injury firm, safety is a topic we care a great deal about.  Frequently, the injured people we represent would never have been harmed initially had someone taken a little more care or paid closer attention to what they were doing.  Part of that care involves possessing and using proper safety equipment.

To promote that awareness, the Law Offices of Gary Bruce encourage the area to turn out for the "Bike Rodeo" this weekend from 10:00am-1:00pm at the Columbus Library on Macon Road.  There, Safe Kids of Columbus will be hosting a free bike helmet give away for children under the age of 14 while supplies last.  Also as part of the rodeo, there will be bike inspections, helmet fitting, riding lessons, and information about bike security all to help spread information that will keep Columbus' children safe.  There will also be door prizes and a BMX stunt show to watch!

For more information click here or follow the link to the right to the website of Safe Kids of Columbus, Georgia.

Do you have “Full Coverage”?

One of the strategies of car insurance companies to make money is to get a driver signed up, making payments, and out the door on the road as quickly as possible.  Unfortunately, this often means that “by saving $100 on your car insurance” you are actually getting less than what you need.  Over and over again, we hear our clients tell us in our first meeting that they were told by their company that they have “full coverage”.  In truth, they have far from it.  Often they find out that they may have more than the minimum liability coverage but far less than “full coverage” for the situation they find themselves in after a car wreck.

In reality, “full coverage” is a myth as you can always purchase a larger policy with more coverage.  Generally, people expect when they are told they’ve paid for this insurance is that if and when they are in a wreck and injured, the insurance company will take care of them.  In our experience, “full coverage” seems to mean that the client may have collision and comprehensive coverage for damage to their car, but likely only has the state required minimum liability coverage, which in Georgia is $25,000.00.  Trust us, having the additional coverage necessary to fully insure your bodily injuries is another matter.

Why do we ask about full coverage in a meeting – because many times that “extra” coverage for “underinsured” or “uninsured” motorists can mean the difference between merely getting bills paid vs. a settlement that actually compensates someone injured in a car wreck for the disruption in their life in addition to bills.  For example, that coverage often is the only coverage available to cover a drunk driver who was uninsured.  Also, that coverage sometimes means that there is coverage over and above minimum limits.  Another issue Columbus readers should remember is that with Ft. Benning’s military population and Phenix City a stone’s throw away, many driver’s don’t even have Georgia insurance policies which can add further issues to evaluate. 

There are many aspects to your car insurance coverage to consider.  Even a small amount of “medical payments” coverage can pay doctor bills while someone is treating for an injury.   That coverage is sometimes the only medical coverage available. and can pay for expensive procedures like MRI exams and emergency room visits.

Full coverage means something different to everyone, and the important of insurance coverage is a topic we are sure to revisit again.  But for now, let our advice be clear.

Make sure you check your coverage with your agent BEFORE you have a lawyer ask you what coverage you have – because by then it is too late.

-The Attorneys of Gary O. Bruce, P.C.

Welcome to Our Blog

The attorneys here at the Law Offices of Gary Bruce are excited to be entering the forum of blogging.  We hope to be bringing you some insight on legal issues, news, and events which will have an impact upon you as a citizen of Columbus and its surrounding areas. 

Through this commentary we hope to extend our services to you and this local community.  So welcome to our site and please take some time to get acquainted with it as we bring you more thoughts in the future.

Sincerely,

The Attorneys of Gary O. Bruce, P.C.