Phases of an auto accident law firms Accident Lawsuit

Injuries from car crashes could result in significant medical bills, property damage, and even lost wages. An experienced lawyer can help you get the compensation you need.

The process varies from case to case, but generally starts by filing an action. The discovery phase, trial and any appeals follow.

Medical Records

Medical records are an essential element of any auto accident law firm accident lawsuit. They can assist a judge or jury determine the impact of the accident on your life. This includes the emotional, financial physical, and emotional expenses. Insurance companies will have a hard time to refute the story portrayed by medical records.

Depending on your state's laws and your doctor's policy, you may have only a short amount of time to request medical documents from healthcare providers. This is why it is important to discuss your legal needs as soon as you can following an accident. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) HIPAA ensures that you have the right to access these records. However, this doesn't mean that only you or your lawyer are able to access your medical records. Insurance companies are always looking for anything that could indicate your injuries may not be as severe as you think or if you have pre-existing injuries.

Your lawyer will make use of the medical records you provide to draft the letter of demand that will include evidence supporting the damages you are seeking. It is essential that your lawyer only provides relevant medical records to the insurance company, since they might ask you to sign an authorization that allows them to access all your medical records. This is not in your best interest as it could reveal past injuries that aren't related to the present claim.

Reports of Police

Police reports are generated every time a law enforcement officer responds to an emergency call or accident, such as car accidents. Although they cannot be admitted in a court of law (they are considered to be hearsay) they can provide valuable information for attorneys when investigating and preparing their cases.

A police report is an impartial account of the accident from the witness' testimony as well as the officer's observations regarding the weather conditions, drivers, and auto accident law firm a variety of other factors. It is a significant piece of evidence that could assist you in winning your car accident lawsuit against the defendant.

You can usually request a copy of the records from the police precinct that handled the investigation. Call their non-emergency phone number and provide a receipt or an incident number as proof of identification. The police department might have a website on which you can request copies online.

You'll have to file a suit against the driver who was at fault when your medical bills along with lost wages and property damage have reached an amount. The police report can be an important tool in settlement negotiations, particularly if you can prove the other driver's guilt in the light of observations made by the officer. But, many cases settle an agreement without ever going to trial. Pre-trial proceedings can be lengthy and your case might not be resolved until a year after you file it.

Insurance Company Negotiations

After the adjuster has all the information they require from you and your automobile accident investigation, they will make an offer of settlement. To create their initial offer, they'll input all the information and details into an application on computers. Most likely, they'll come up with a much smaller number than what you estimated from your investigation. When insurance companies make settlement offers, they have their own financial interest in their minds.

They'll want to reduce the amount they'll need pay for medical bills and other damages. You can fight back if you mention the way your injuries will affect your life in the near future. You could, for instance you can highlight the mounting medical bills and your lost earning potential, as being aware of the physical and mental suffering you're experiencing.

You or your lawyer will then prepare a demand letter and submit it to the insurer. This should include all the evidence you have collected, including witness statements, photos of your injuries and any documents supporting your losses. You'll also prepare an inventory of your non-negotiables, so you can keep the insurance company from under-pricing you. Once an agreement is reached and ratified, it will be included in the form of a written settlement agreement. It's common for a back-and-forth to occur during these negotiations, but remaining patient will help you reach an equitable settlement.

Legal Advice

Discovery is the next stage of the lawsuit in which the parties exchange information and evidence. Parties may request medical records and police reports, as well as witness statements. They will also provide the other interrogatories (written questions that have to be answered under oath before the expiration of a specific time). Your attorney will also document the severity of physical, emotional, and psychological traumas you've suffered in addition to any other damages that might be sought, such as the amount of medical expenses you are currently and in the future, property damage, and lost wages.

Your lawyer will also talk with experts, such as medical experts mechanics, engineers and mechanics. These experts can assist the jury to get an accurate picture of your injuries and accident.

Then, your lawyer will begin negotiations with insurance companies to try to resolve your claim without trial. If the insurance company fails to offer an equitable settlement or doesn't take into consideration your injuries and other losses, your case is likely to go to trial.

It is crucial that victims file a lawsuit as soon as possible even though very few cases are heard in court. The memories fade, witnesses disappear and evidence may be lost as time passes and make it difficult to build a strong case to get the maximum amount of compensation. You must also adhere to the statute of limitations in your state which can range from 1 to 6 years.