The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer that specializes in the area of car accident litigation will help you determine how solid your case is as well as how the settlement may be worth. However it is only possible with all the information needed.

Discovery is the first stage of an auto accident lawsuit accident law firm (redirected here) accident case. During this stage, attorneys and their teams discuss documents and answer questions under the oath.

Documentation

A large portion of the work involved in a car crash case is collecting documentation. This could be evidence like photos, medical records or witness statements. The more evidence you have to support your claim the more convincing your argument will be.

The first document you need is a report from the police. Typically the police officer who arrives at the scene of the accident will draft the report, and it will give important details about how the crash occurred and who was at fault for the incident.

If necessary your lawyer has the option of using an investigation report to collect additional evidence. For instance, if the accident happened in a business, an employee at that location might have recorded footage of the incident. If this is the case, ask for a copy of the footage from the business.

You should also document the expenses you incur due to the accident. This can include medical bills and records for your treatment, receipts for medicines rental car expenses and in-home assistance or care, transportation costs, and much more. Additionally, you must keep track of any income loss as a result of your accident. You can use your old tax returns and pay stubs.

It is also advisable to obtain the names of witnesses. These people may be able to provide valuable details, especially if can get them to be a witness in court. It's important to keep in mind that witnesses may change their accounts and forget details about the accident over time.

Intake and Investigation

Whether you have filed an insurance company or have started an action against the at-fault driver, the initial intake process is crucial to getting the fair and complete compensation you deserve for your injuries from a crash. Your attorney will begin by looking over your medical records and then obtaining copies of accident reports, as well as other evidence. They will also go to and document the accident scene.

This information will allow them to determine the extent of your injuries in relation to future and projected costs for your physical and emotional suffering. They will then review your existing and expected financial losses to estimate the value of your case. The damages you suffer could include not only future and current medical expenses, but also your loss of income and property damage.

Your lawyer will also investigate the incident, including speaking with witnesses and analyzing all available evidence. They will also obtain the driver who was at fault and their driving cell phone records to see the way they used their vehicle at the time of the crash. This is particularly crucial if the crash involved an Uber or Lyft vehicle or auto accident law firm any other indication that the driver was working while on the job, since this could affect the ability of them to pay damages.

As part of the process of discovery Your lawyer will ask about the defendant's criminal and traffic offense records. These details are generally not admissible, however they can be used to undermine the credibility of the defendant during cross-examination.

The process of negotiating a settlement

After you have received your medical records, you're able to begin settlement negotiations. The insurance company is likely to make an initial offer that is smaller than the amount that you demanded in your letter. This is a method to determine the strength of your argument. In your counteroffer it is important to highlight the strongest points that you have in your favor. For instance, if you claim that the insurance company was at fault and that there were serious injuries as well as expensive medical expenses. Negotiating back and forth will eventually lead to an equitable and reasonable amount.

A skilled lawyer for accidents can effectively argue your claim's merits, including presenting evidence to back your losses. This could include photos of car damage, police reports, and witness testimony. We have the ability to determine the various elements of your claim, including lost income as well as pain and suffering, and police report.

At this point, if the insurance company continues to refuse to offer a fair amount, we can choose to make a claim in court. A trial usually lasts between one and two days and is judged by jurors or a judge. If your case is settled before reaching this stage it could take months. Your attorney might also be able to 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 a Lawsuit

In the majority of cases involving car accidents, the parties are able to resolve their disagreement outside of court. Our team will work to help you negotiate a settlement with the insurance company or directly with the at-fault party. If no agreement can be reached, our lawyers will file a lawsuit against the defendant. The Complaint will include your assertions and allegations regarding how the crash occurred and why you deserve compensation. The defendant is served with the Complaint, and given a specified time frame to respond.

During the discovery phase, our lawyers will discuss documents and other evidence with the defendant and ask questions via interrogatories as well as depositions. Our team will be asking questions to the lawyer representing the defendant about their interpretation of the events, including the injuries you've suffered and the way they believe it happened. We will also seek out expert opinions to support our assertions.

During the discovery process your lawyer may make legal motions to the court for a judge to rule on. This could include requests for the court to exclude certain evidence or set an appointment for trial. It could take up to an entire year for the discovery process to be completed and a trial date set. It's crucial to consult with an experienced Long Island auto accident attorney early during the process.