The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer who is experienced in defending car accident cases can help you determine the worth of your case and what settlement amount you might get. This is only possible if all the information you need is available.

Discovery is the first stage of an indianola Auto accident law firm auto accident lawsuit case. In this phase attorneys and their teams exchange documents and ask each other questions under swearing.

Documentation

A significant portion of the work involved in a car accident case is obtaining documentation. This may include evidence such as photographs, medical records or witness statements. Generally, the more documentation you can provide to support your claim the more convincing your claim will be.

The first piece of evidence that you must have is a police report. The police officer who arrives at the scene of the accident will typically prepare a report. It will provide important information about the accident and the person responsible for it.

If needed you need to, your attorney can make use of an investigation report to collect additional evidence. For instance, if an accident happened in a business the employee who worked at that location might have recorded footage of the incident. If this is the case, a copy of the tape should be requested from the company as soon as possible.

Note any costs you have incurred because of the accident. Record any costs you incur due to. These could include medical bills and records for your treatment, brookhaven auto accident attorney receipts for medications rental car costs and in-home assistance or care as well as transportation costs and more. It is also important to document the loss of income due to your accident. This could include old pay stubs as well as tax returns.

If you are able, obtain the names of witnesses to the incident as well. They may be able to give valuable information, particularly if you can convince them to be a witness in court. It is important to keep in mind that witnesses can change their stories over time and forget details of the incident.

Intake and Investigation

The intake process is essential to receiving fair compensation for your injuries from an accident regardless of whether you've submitted an insurance claim or are suing the at-fault party. Your attorney will begin by looking over your medical records, millville auto Accident attorney as well as obtaining copies of accident reports, as well as other evidence. They will also go to and document the accident scene.

This will allow them to understand the extent of injuries you have suffered, both in terms actual and projected costs for your emotional or physical suffering. Then, they'll review your current and future financial losses to estimate the value of your case. Your damages may include not only current and future medical expenses, but also your lost income and property damage.

Your lawyer will also investigate the incident, including speaking with witnesses and reviewing all available evidence. They will also gather the at-fault driver's driving and cell phone records to see the way they used their vehicle at the time of the collision. This is especially important if there was a collision that involved an Uber or Lyft vehicle, or any other indication that the driver was working around the clock.

As part of the discovery procedure the lawyer will inquire about the defendant's traffic and criminal conviction records. In general, these information are not admissible in court, however they could be helpful to undermine the credibility of a defendant in cross-examination.

Negotiating a Settlement

After you have obtained the medical records and obtaining the medical records, your lawyer can begin settlement negotiations. The insurance company may make an initial offer that is much smaller than the amount that you demanded in your letter. This is a way to assess the strength of your argument. When you counteroffer, it's important to highlight the strongest points you have to your advantage. For example, that the insurer was in the wrong and that there were severe injuries as well as significant medical expenses. Eventually, bargaining back and forth will result in an amount that is reasonable and fair.

A skilled accident lawyer can successfully argue your claim's merits including presenting evidence to prove your losses. This may include photos of your car damages, police reports and witness testimony. We have the ability to calculate various elements of your claim such as lost income, pain and suffering and police reports.

If the insurance company refuses to pay an acceptable amount at this point, we could bring a lawsuit. A trial typically lasts one or two days and is usually ruled by a judge (called a bench trial) or a jury. If your case settles before this stage it could take a few months. Your lawyer may also be able file a summary motion to dismiss. This is a way of presenting all the evidence in your favor and arguing that it is impossible for the opposing side to win.

Filing a Lawsuit

In the majority of cases involving car accidents, the parties are able to settle their dispute out of court. Our team will assist you negotiate with the insurance company of the other driver or directly with the party responsible for the auto accident attorney. If an agreement is not reached, our lawyers will file a suit against the defendant. The Complaint will outline your claims and details about how the accident occurred and the reason you should be compensated. The defendant will be served the Complaint and given a specific period of time to respond.

During the discovery phase, our lawyers will share documents and other evidence with the defendant while asking questions via interrogatories as well as depositions. Our team will ask the defendant's attorney questions regarding their interpretation of events, focusing on what they believe happened, how they believe it took place and what injuries you've sustained. We will also search for experts to back our assertions.

During the discovery phase, your lawyer may make legal motions to the court for a judge to decide on. These could include requests to the court to omit certain evidence, or to set the date for a trial. It can take a whole year or more to complete the discovery process and determine the trial date for your case. This is why it's crucial to work with an experienced Long Island car accident attorney early in the process.