The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer with expertise in the area of car accident litigation will help you determine the strength of your case is, and how the settlement may be worth. However this is only possible with all the information needed.

The initial step in a car accident lawsuit is known as discovery. During this phase attorneys and their teams exchange documents and ask each other questions under an oath.

Documentation

A significant portion of the work involved in a car crash case is collecting evidence. This could be evidence like photographs, medical records or witness statements. In general, the more evidence you can provide to support your claim the stronger your argument will be.

The first document that you must have is a law enforcement report. The police officer who arrives at the scene will typically prepare a report. It will provide important information about the accident and who was responsible.

If required your lawyer has the option of using an investigation report to collect additional evidence. If the incident occurred at a place of business such as a place of business employees may have recorded video footage. If this is the situation, the tape must be requested from the business as soon as possible.

You should also keep track of the costs you have incurred as a result of the accident. These could include medical bills or records of treatment, receipts from medications rental car expenses, in-home assistance or care, transportation costs and more. It is also important to document any income you lose due to your injury. This could include old pay slips and tax returns.

You should also get the names of witnesses. They may be able to give valuable information, especially if are able to get them to be a witness in court. It's important to keep in mind that witnesses may alter their story and forget details about the accident over time.

Intake and Investigation

Whether you have filed a claim with an insurance company or are starting an action against the at-fault driver, the process of intake is essential to receive the fair and complete compensation you deserve for the piedmont auto accident lawsuit injuries. Your attorney will start by reviewing your medical documents, as well as copies of accident reports, and other evidence. They will also go to and document the bountiful auto accident law firm scene.

This information will assist them understand the extent of your injuries both in terms of future and projected costs for your emotional and physical suffering. They will then look over your existing and expected financial losses to estimate the total value of your case. Your damages may include not only future and current medical expenses, but also your loss of income as well as property damage.

Your lawyer will also conduct an investigation into the incident, including questioning witnesses and reviewing any available evidence. They will also collect driving and cell phone records of the drivers who were at fault to determine how they operated their vehicle at that time. This is particularly important if the collision involved an Uber or Lyft vehicle, or any other indication that the driver was working, as this could impact their ability to pay your damages.

As part of the discovery procedure, your lawyer will also inquire about the defendant's traffic and criminal conviction records. These details are typically not admissible, however they can be used to undermine the defendant's credibility in cross-examination.

Negotiating a Settlement

Once you have the medical records, you are able to begin settlement negotiation. The insurance company is likely to make an initial offer that is much smaller than the amount that you requested in your letter. This is a way to test the strength of your case. In your counteroffer, it is crucial to highlight the most powerful arguments to your advantage. For example, that the insurance company was in the wrong and that there were serious injuries as well as significant medical expenses. Eventually, negotiations back and forth should result in an amount that is reasonable and fair.

A skilled attorney for accidents can effectively argue for the merits of your case, including presenting evidence supporting your losses. This may include photos of your car damage, police reports or witness testimony. We know how to calculate various elements of your claim like lost income as well as pain and suffering, and police report.

If, at this point, the insurance company still refuses to offer a reasonable amount, we can choose to file a lawsuit in court. A trial usually lasts between one and two days and Vimeo.Com is ruled on by a judge or a jury. If your case is settled before reaching this stage the process could take months. Or, your lawyer may be capable of filing a motion for summary judgment. This is a way of presenting all the evidence to your advantage and arguing that it's impossible for the opposing side to prevail.

Filing an action

In the majority of car accident cases, the parties can settle their disputes without the need for court. Our team will assist you negotiate with the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident or directly with the person at fault. If an agreement cannot be reached, our lawyers will initiate an action against the defendant. The complaint contains your claims and allegations about the accident, and explains why you are entitled to compensation. The defendant will be served with the Complaint and given a particular period of time to respond.

The discovery phase is when our attorneys and the defendant will begin to exchange documents and other evidence as they ask questions via interrogatories or depositions. Our team will ask the defendant's attorney questions regarding their interpretation of the events, such as what they believe happened during the crash, as well as how they think it took place and what injuries you have suffered. We will also seek out expert opinions that enforce our position.

During the discovery phase, your lawyer could file legal documents known as motions in court for the decision of a judge. These could include requests to the court to block certain evidence or to schedule the date for a trial. It can take up to a year for the discovery process to be completed and a trial date established. This is why it's important to work with an experienced Long Island car accident attorney early on in the process.