Rana Law Group Newsletter
|
|
In this issue:
- Safe Driving Apps
- Medical Debt and Your Credit Score
- Learning a New Skill
|
|
Safe Driving Apps – Update
In our May 2019 Newsletter, I wrote about the phone apps insurance companies want customers to install in exchange for potential savings on their car insurance premiums. I recommended against using these because some drivers experienced an increase in rates after the insurance companies logged the data about their driving habits. My greater fear was this data or the device could be used as a basis to deny claims, potentially causing you to lose your coverage on a technicality.This past month, I had my first deposition where the defendant’s attorney asked my client if they had one of these apps that monitored driving. The motivation for the question was to determine if the raw driving data from the crash existed, in which case it could be analyzed to see if my client could be blamed, even a little, for the crash. The other driver was deemed 100% at fault, however, lawyers being lawyers, if they can create a doubt, sometimes they can create an out which could lead to a discount on what they had to pay out for my client’s damages. Keep in mind, this discount would be far more than the money my client would have potentially saved on her insurance premiums. Thankfully, she did not have the app and the defense attorney moved along with his questioning. If you are thinking of trying to save a little money with one of these apps, keep in mind you could really cost yourself a lot more in the long run. |
|
Medical Debt and Your Credit Score
In addition to the new consumer friendly laws enacted regarding transparency in medical billing (see prior posts from July 2021, January 2021 and August 2019), consumers with medical debt may finally get some relief on how it impacts their credit score.
- As of July 1, unpaid medical debt less than one year old will not be reported on credit reports. This is an increase from six months.
- As of July 1, paid medical debt that was previously in collections will no longer show up on credit reports.
- Starting in the first half of 2023, unpaid medical debt less than $500 will not be included on credit reports or calculated in credit score numbers.
Credit reporting agencies, including Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, estimate these changes will eliminate nearly 70% of the medical debt remarks negatively impacting credit scores. As many of you know, the higher the credit score, the easier it is to borrow money and get better interest rates on loans. This is fantastic news for consumers since the medical care which necessitated the debt was probably not elective. Most consumers will now get some relief to their credit score rather than dealing with the financial consequences of an illness or injury for which they were forced to seek medical care. Another huge win for consumers! |
|
Learning a New Skill
Most of you heard about all of the continuing legal education classes and trial seminars I attended over the last few years during COVID to try to stay sharp for the courtroom. Unfortunately, I did not take the time to become more handy around the house, much to the disappointment of my wife. This past week, I was forced to learn a very different and fairly basic skill when our elderly cat Maggie (still going strong at 22 years old!) figured out she could nudge the screen on our back door to escape into our backyard oasis. My wife got a baby gate to prevent Maggie’s escape but, unfortunately, it also trapped me in. I could not figure out how to operate the thing and I was worried I would just break it since it was wood. I had to be shown several times how to work the gate before I finally understood the mechanics. Thankfully, no broken gate, meaning no unhappy wife and now Maggie can enjoy looking at all her bird and squirrel friends from the comfort of the indoors. Hope you are all enjoying the beautiful weather! |
|
Case Referrals
From time to time, clients call and ask which type of cases we handle. My practice is built on referrals from satisfied clients. I know that if I work hard and do a good job for my clients, they will tell their friends about me. The best compliment from a former client is that client entrusting me with the potential case of their friends and family. Our office specializes in the following cases:
- Personal Injury (auto collisions, trucking, motorcycle, slip and fall)
- Work Injuries
- Traffic tickets and DUI/DWI
If you know someone that meets these criteria, please have them call my office. If someone does not quite fit the above criteria, please still have the prospective referral give me a call as I can usually help them find the right attorney via a referral.
|
|
| Share the Love – Reviews
Thank you very much to everyone who already left a review, we appreciate it! If you have not left one and have some kind words, I would appreciate the time.
- For Google: simply click on the link.
- For Facebook: please “Like” and “Follow” the page and then click on “Reviews” on the left-hand side
- For Avvo: click on “reviews” and then “Review Tarun Rana”
|
|
|
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.