Investigating and Defending Catastrophic Automobile Events

Presented to:The Golden Gate Chapter of CPCUSan Francisco, CA | March 03, 2017Prepared by:

Anne C. Gritzer and Randall J. Lee

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Anne C. GritzerSenior Counsel

Anne C. GritzerPartner

►Overview of Potential Risk to Employers and Emerging Trends

►Employer’s Role in Maintaining Best Practices

►When Catastrophe Strikes

►Use of Technology to Gather Transient Evidence

►Post-Accident Discovery

►Practical Advice for Claims Handlers

►Questions

Course Objective

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Course Objective

Overview of Potential Risk to Employers and Emerging Trends

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Potential vicarious liability for negligent acts of employees

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Potential liability for negligent hiring and negligent entrustment

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Potential liability for failing to train and adequately supervise

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Potential liability for failing to adequately maintain its fleet

The Employer’s Role in Maintaining Best Practices

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Best practices when taking on new hires

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Best practices relevant to training

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Best practices to instill risk avoidance habits

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Best practices for fleet maintenance

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Best practices for prompt reporting of accidents

When Catastrophe Strikes

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Minutes Count

►Open lines of communication essential> Develop a culture that fosters open, unfettered communication

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Minutes Count

►Technology facilitates rapid communication> Driver to dispatcher> Dispatcher to claims agent> Claims agent to counsel> Counsel to accident reconstruction

expert

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Minutes Count►Recommendation: every claims agent should have pocket

authority to dispatch an accident reconstruction expert the moment the call is first received

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Use of Technology to Gather Transient Evidence: Drones

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Use of Technology to Gather Transient Evidence: Black Boxes (Event Data Recorder)

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Use of Technology to Gather Transient Evidence: Dashboard Cameras

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Post-Accident Discovery

►Use of private investigator

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Post-Accident Discovery

►Written discovery regarding employment records, pre-hire investigation and fleet maintenance records

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Post-Accident Discovery

►Subpoena DMV records, employment records, medical records

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Post-Accident Discovery

►Depositions

Practical Advice for Claims Handlers

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Early resolution when liability is clear

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Aggressive defense where culpability is questionable

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Consider trial when settlement numbers make no sense

Questions?

Thank You

For More Information:

Anne Gritzer► (415) 781-7072

► agritzer@wfbm.com

Randall Lee► (415) 781-7072

► rlee@wfbm.com