The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer who specializes in the area of car accident litigation will help you determine how solid your case is, and how the settlement might be worth. However it is only possible if you have all the information needed.

The first step in a car crash lawsuit is called discovery. During this stage, attorneys and their teams communicate with each other and ask questions under an oath.

Documentation

Documentation is a large component of a car accident. This could be evidence like medical records, photos or witness statements. The more documentation that you have, the more convincing your case.

A law enforcement report is the primary document you should have. Typically the police officer that arrives at the scene of the accident will prepare an investigation report. This will provide important information about the circumstances of the crash and who was responsible for the incident.

Your lawyer may also utilize an official report from law enforcement to pursue additional evidence if necessary. For example, if the accident happened in a business where employees were present, the site might have recorded video footage of the incident. If this is the situation, the tape should be requested from the business as quickly as possible.

You should also document the expenses you incur in the aftermath of the accident. This could include medical bills and records for your treatment, receipts for medication rental car expenses home care or assistance as well as transportation costs and many more. In addition, you should keep track of any income loss due to your injury. You can use your old tax returns and pay stubs.

If you are able to, request the names of witnesses to the accident as well. They may be able provide valuable information, especially if can get them to appear in court. However, it is important to keep in mind that witnesses are prone to altering their story over time and forget details of the incident.

Intake and Investigation

If you've made an insurance claim with an company or have started an action against an at-fault driver, the initial intake process is essential to receive the fair and complete compensation you deserve for the accident injuries. Your attorney will begin by reviewing your medical records and then obtaining copies of accident reports as well as other evidence. They will also go to and document the scene of the hatboro auto accident law firm.

This will help them to assess the severity of the injuries you've suffered as well as the current and projected costs for your physical or emotional suffering. They will also review your financial losses to determine the value of your case. The damages could comprise not only your current and future medical expenses but also income loss and property damage.

Your lawyer will also investigate the incident, including speaking with witnesses and analyzing any evidence. They will also take the driving and cell phone records of the drivers who were at fault to determine how they used their vehicle during the time. This is particularly important if there was a collision involving an Uber or Lyft car or any other evidence that suggests the driver was on the clock.

Additionally your lawyer will also inquire about the defendant's previous criminal and traffic convictions as part of the discovery process. These details are generally not admissible, however they can be used to undermine the credibility of the defendant during cross-examination.

Negotiating a Settlement

After you have received your medical records, you can start settlement negotiations. The insurance company will typically make an initial offer that is less than the amount you demanded in your letter. This is a way to assess the strength of your case. In your counteroffer it is essential to highlight the most compelling points that you have in your favor. For instance, you could argue that the insurance company was in the wrong and that there were serious injuries as well as the medical costs were high. In the end, back and forth bargaining should result in an amount that is both reasonable and fair.

A skilled attorney can successfully argue your claim's merits including presenting proof to support your losses. This could include photographs of the car damage along with a police report as well as witness testimony. We are able to calculate the various components of your claim, such as loss of income or pain and suffering, as well as police reports.

If at this point the insurance company still refuses to offer a fair amount, we have the option to start a lawsuit in the courtroom. A trial usually lasts between one and two days, and is judged by jurors or vimeo a judge. If your case is settled before this point it could take several months. In addition, your attorney might be in a position to file a motion for summary judge. This is where you present all the evidence in your favor and arguing that it is impossible for the other side to prevail.

Filing a Lawsuit

In the majority of car crash instances, parties can resolve their disputes without the need for court. Our team will assist you in negotiating a settlement with the other driver's insurance company, or directly with the party at fault. If an agreement is not reached, our attorneys will file a lawsuit against the defendant. The Complaint outlines your claims as well as allegations regarding the accident and the reasons why you are entitled to compensation. The defendant is served with the Complaint, and given a specified time frame to respond.

During the discovery phase, our attorneys will exchange documents and other material with the defendant and ask questions via interrogatories as well as depositions. Our team will ask the defendant's attorney questions regarding their interpretation of the events, including how they believe the crash occurred and the injuries you've sustained. We will also request expert opinions that enforce our position.

During the discovery phase, your lawyer can file legal documents known as motions with the court for a decision by a judge. This could include asking the court to omit evidence or set a trial date. It could take a full year or more to complete the discovery process and establish the date of trial for your case. It is imperative to speak with an experienced Long Island massachusetts auto accident law firm accident attorney as early as possible in the process.