The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer who specializes in litigation involving car accidents can help you determine the strength of your case is, and how much your settlement could be worth. This is only possible when all the information you require is available.

The initial step in a car accident lawsuit is known as discovery. In this phase attorneys and their teams exchange documents and discuss their respective cases under the oath.

Documentation

A significant portion of the work involved in a car crash investigation is gathering evidence. This can include evidence like photographs, medical records or witness statements. Generally, the more documentation you have to back your claim the stronger your case will be.

A law enforcement report is the primary document you should have. The police officer who arrives at the scene of the accident will usually write a report. It will provide important details about the incident and who was responsible for it.

Your attorney can also use a law enforcement report to gather additional evidence in the event of need. If the incident occurred at the business environment for instance, an employee may have recorded video footage. If this is the case, seek a copy from the business.

Note any costs you have incurred in the aftermath of the accident. Record any costs you incur due to. This could include medical bills as well as records of your treatment, receipts from medications, rental car charges as well as in-home assistance or care transport costs, and many more. In addition, vimeo you should note any income loss because of your accident. You can use old tax returns and pay stubs.

You should also try to get the names of witnesses. These witnesses can be important sources of information in your case, particularly those who are able to be present at trial. However, it's important to remember that witnesses can alter their story over time and may forget details of the thibodaux auto accident law firm.

Intake and Investigation

The intake process is essential to obtaining an adequate amount of compensation for your accident injuries, whether you have filed a claim with an insurance company or Vimeo are suing the responsible party. Your attorney will begin by reviewing your medical records, obtaining copies of dunmore auto accident law firm reports and other evidence. They will also go to and document the accident scene.

This information will enable them to comprehend the extent of the injuries you've sustained, both in terms current and projected costs for your physical or emotional suffering. They will then look over your financial losses to determine the total value of your case. Damages could include not just your current and future medical expenses as well as lost income and property damage.

Your lawyer will also investigate the incident, including interviewing witnesses and analyzing any available evidence. They will also gather the driver who was at fault and their driving phone records to determine how they used their vehicle at the time of the accident. This is particularly important if there was a collision with an Uber or Lyft vehicle or any other evidence that suggests the driver was working on the clock.

Additionally, Vimeo your attorney will likely inquire about the defendant's past criminal and traffic offense history in the discovery process. These facts are usually not admissible but could be used to undermine the defendant's credibility in cross-examination.

The process of negotiating a settlement

After you have received your medical records, it is possible to begin negotiations for settlement. The insurance company is likely to make an initial offer that is smaller than the amount that you requested in your letter. This is a tactic to see how strong your argument is. In your counteroffer, it is essential to highlight the most compelling points that you have to your advantage. For instance, if you claim that the insurer was in the wrong and that there were severe injuries and expensive medical expenses. Negotiating back and forth will eventually result in an appropriate and fair amount.

An experienced attorney can successfully argue the merits of your case, by presenting evidence to prove your losses. This may include photos of your car damage, police reports or witness testimony. We also know how to determine the value of various elements of your claim, including loss of income, pain and suffering.

If the insurance company is unwilling to pay an amount that is reasonable at this point, we can start a lawsuit. A trial usually lasts between one and two days and is heard either by either a judge or jury. If your case is settled prior to this stage, it can take several months. In addition, your attorney might be capable of filing a motion for summary judge. This involves asserting all of the evidence in your favor and arguing that it's impossible for the other side to win.

Filing a Lawsuit

In the majority of car crash cases, the parties are able to settle their dispute outside of court. Our team will help you negotiate an agreement with the insurance company or directly with the party at fault. If no agreement is reached, our lawyers will file a lawsuit against the defendant. The Complaint will list your claims and allegations about how the crash occurred and why you deserve compensation. The defendant is served the Complaint and given a specific period of time to reply.

During the discovery phase, our lawyers will exchange documents and other materials with the defendant while asking questions via interrogatories or depositions. Our team will pose questions to the defendant's lawyer about their version of the events, including what injuries you've sustained and the way they believe it took place. We will also seek out expert opinions that support our position.

During the discovery phase, your lawyer can file legal documents known as motions in court to be ruled on by the judge. This may include requests for the court to block certain evidence or to schedule an appointment for trial. It could take a full year or more to complete the discovery process and establish the date of trial for your case. This is why it's vital to partner with an experienced Long Island car accident attorney early in the process.