The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer who specializes in the field of car accident litigation can help you determine the strength of your case is and also how the settlement may be worth. This is only possible if all the information you require is available.

Discovery is the very first step of a car accident case. During this phase attorneys and their teams will discuss documents and answer questions under oath.

Documentation

Documentation is an integral aspect of the investigation in the event of a car crash. This could include evidence such as photos, medical records or witness statements. The more evidence you have the more convincing your case will be.

A police report is the first document you should have. The police officer who arrives at the scene of the victoria auto accident lawsuit is likely to prepare a written report. This will provide valuable information about the accident and the person responsible for it.

Your lawyer may also utilize an official report from law enforcement to seek additional evidence, if needed. For example, if the incident occurred at a company, an employee at that location may have recorded video footage of the incident. If that's the case, the tape must be requested from the company as soon as possible.

You should also keep track of any expenses you incurred in the aftermath of the accident. This can include medical bills and hillsboro auto accident lawyer records of your treatment, receipts from medication, rental car charges for in-home assistance, care at home, transportation costs and more. It is important to record any income you lose due to your injury. This could include old pay slips and tax returns.

It is also advisable to find the names of witnesses. They could be valuable sources of information for your case, especially if they are able to be present at trial. It's important to remember that witnesses can alter their story and forget details regarding the accident as time passes.

Intake and Investigation

Whether you have filed a claim with an insurance firm or are beginning an action against an at-fault driver, the initial intake process is essential to obtaining an adequate and fair settlement for your injuries from a crash. Your attorney will begin by examining your medical records and then obtaining copies of accident reports and other evidence. They will also go to and document the ridgefield auto accident law firm scene.

This information will help them comprehend the severity of your injuries as well as the future and projected costs for your physical and emotional suffering. They will then review your current and future financial losses in order to determine the value of your case. The damages could include not only your present and future medical costs, but also lost income and property damage.

Your lawyer will also investigate the incident, including questioning witnesses and analyzing any evidence. They will also obtain the at-fault driver's driving and cell phone records to see how they used their vehicle at the time of the crash. This is particularly important if there was a collision with an Uber or Lyft vehicle or any other indication that the driver worked while on the clock.

In addition to this the lawyer may ask questions regarding the defendant's prior criminal and traffic convictions during the discovery process. These facts are usually not admissible, but can be used to undermine the credibility of the defendant during cross-examination.

The process of negotiating a settlement

Once you have the medical records, you're able to begin settlement negotiation. Initially, the insurance company will make an offer which is usually much lower than what you demand in the letter. This is a strategy to see how strong your case is. In the counteroffer, it's crucial to emphasize the most important arguments for your side - for example, that the insured was entirely at blame and that you were afflicted with serious injuries that resulted in significant medical expenses. Negotiating back and forth will eventually result in a fair and reasonable amount.

An experienced accident lawyer can successfully argue your claim's merits by presenting evidence to justify your losses. This could include photos of vehicle damage, police reports, and witness testimony. We know how to calculate the various components of your claim, including lost income or pain and suffering, as well as police reports.

If the insurance company is unwilling to pay a reasonable amount at the moment, we can bring a lawsuit. A trial typically lasts one or two days and is supervised by a judge (called a bench trial) or a jury. If your case is settled prior to reaching this stage the process could take months. Your attorney might also be able file a summary judgment motion. This means presenting all of the evidence to your advantage and arguing that it is impossible for the opposing side to prevail.

Filing an action

In the majority of cases involving car accidents the parties can settle their disputes outside of court. Our team will work to help you negotiate an agreement with the other driver's insurance company or directly with the at-fault party. If a settlement isn't reached, our attorneys will file a lawsuit against the defendant. The Complaint contains your claims and allegations relating to the incident and why you are entitled to compensation. The defendant will be served with the Complaint and given a certain time frame to respond to it.

The discovery phase is the time when our lawyers and the defendant will begin to exchange documents and other information in exchange for questions through interrogatories or depositions. Our team will ask the defendant's attorney questions about their view of events, focusing on how they believe the crash happened and what injuries you've sustained. We will also request expert opinions that will support our stance.

During the discovery process your lawyer may submit legal documents known as motions to the court for a judge to decide on. This can include requests for the court to omit certain evidence or to schedule an appointment for trial. It could take up to an entire year for the discovery process to be completed and a trial date to be set. This is why it's important to consult with a seasoned Long Island car perkasie auto accident lawyer attorney early on in the process.