The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer who is specialized in car accident litigation can help you determine how strong your case is and how the settlement might be worth. This is only possible if all the information you require is available.

The initial step in a lawsuit involving a car accident is called discovery. In this stage, attorneys and their teams exchange documents and discuss questions under the oath.

Documentation

Documentation is a major aspect of the investigation in a car accident. This could include evidence such as medical records, photos, or witness statements. Generally speaking, the more evidence you have to back your claim the more convincing your argument will be.

The first document you need is a report from the police. The police officer who arrives at the Norman Auto Accident Lawsuit scene will typically prepare a report. It will provide important information regarding the accident as well as who was responsible for it.

Your attorney can also use a law enforcement report to seek additional evidence if required. If the accident happened in a place of business, for example, an employee may have recorded video footage. If that's the case, the tape must be requested from the business as quickly as is possible.

Keep track of any expenses you incur in the aftermath of the accident. Document any expenses you incurred due to. This could include medical bills, records of your treatment, medication receipts rental car costs for in-home assistance, care at home expenses for transportation, and more. It is important to record any income lost due to your accident. This could include old pay stubs and tax returns.

If you are able, obtain the names of any witnesses to the incident as well. These witnesses can be important sources of information in your case, especially those who are able to give evidence at trial. It is important to keep in mind that witnesses may alter their story and forget details regarding the accident as time passes.

Intake and Investigation

The process of intake is crucial to getting fair compensation for your injuries from an accident, whether you have submitted an insurance claim or are suing the responsible party. Your lawyer will begin by reviewing your medical records, as well as obtaining copies of jupiter auto accident attorney reports as well as other evidence. They will also visit the scene of the crash to observe and document what they can.

This information will allow them to understand the extent of your injuries as well as the future and anticipated costs for your physical and emotional suffering. Then, they'll review your financial losses to determine the value of your case. The damages you incur could include not just your current and future medical expenses but also income loss and property damage.

Your lawyer will also investigate, including interviewing any witnesses and analyzing all available evidence. They will also collect the driver who was at fault and their driving phone records to determine 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 evidence that suggests the driver was on the clock.

Additionally, your attorney will likely ask questions regarding the defendant's prior criminal and traffic offence history as part of the discovery process. These details are typically not admissible but could be used to undermine the credibility of the defendant in cross-examination.

Negotiating a Settlement

After receiving the medical records, you are able to start settlement negotiations. The insurance company will often make an initial offer that is much less than the amount you demanded in your letter. This is a method to determine how strong your case. In your counteroffer, it's essential to highlight the most compelling arguments you have to your advantage. For instance, you could argue that the insurer was at fault and that there were serious injuries as well as high medical costs. Negotiating back and forth should eventually lead to an equitable and reasonable amount.

An experienced accident lawyer can successfully argue for your claim's merits, including presenting proof to support your losses. This could include photos of vehicle damage, police reports and witness testimony. We are able to determine the various elements of your claim, such as lost income along with pain and suffering as well as a police report.

If the insurance company is unwilling to pay an acceptable amount at this point, we may make a claim. A trial usually lasts between one and two days. It is usually ruled by a judge (called a bench trial) or jurors. If your case settles before this point it could take a few months. Or, your lawyer may be able to file a motion for summary judge. This means presenting all of the evidence to your advantage and arguing that it's impossible for the opposing side to win.

Filing an action

In a majority of cases involving car accidents the parties are able to resolve their disputes outside of court. Our team will help you negotiate a settlement with the insurance company or directly with the at-fault party. However, if an agreement cannot be reached Our lawyers will initiate an action against the defendant. The Complaint contains your claims and allegations relating to the accident, and explains why you are entitled to compensation. The defendant is served the Complaint and given a specified amount of time to respond.

The discovery phase is the time when our lawyers and the defendant begin to exchange documents and other evidence while asking questions through interrogatories or depositions. Our team will pose questions to the lawyer for the defendant about their version of the events, including what injuries you've sustained and what they believe happened. took place. We will also solicit expert opinions to support our position.

During the process of discovery, your lawyer may submit legal documents known as motions to the court for a judge's ruling on. This could include asking the court to exclude evidence or to schedule a trial. It could take a year or more to complete the discovery process and set a trial date for your case. This is why it's vital to partner with an experienced Long Island car accident attorney early in the process.