Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuit

In many cases, a person's medical expenses and other economic losses can be beyond the insurance coverage they have under no-fault. A motor vehicle lawsuit might be the best option in this scenario.

The process of filing suit begins by sending an accusation to the defendant. The defendant has the option to respond to your complaint.

Damages

In a motor vehicle accident lawsuit damages are awarded to cover the physical, financial and any other personal injury caused by the negligence of another party. In most states the tort liability system is utilized. This means that the party responsible for the accident is required to compensate the victim for their losses. Twelve states have no-fault insurance which requires car owners to carry insurance to protect themselves from any injuries they cause.

Your lawyer will conduct an investigation prior to filing a lawsuit to identify possible at-fault parties and possible causes of action. This is called discovery, and involves exchanging documents and seeking information from your adversary. Be aware that your adversary is seeking to settle this matter for as little as they can. It could take a bit of time before you receive an offer of an acceptable settlement.

The amount of the damages you will receive in a car accident lawsuit will be contingent on the severity of your injury as well as the amount of property damage. Your lawyer can help calculate the value your claim by adding your medical expenses and any projected or future expenses.

It can be difficult to determine the value of a car accident claim. However, your lawyer will do everything to help your claim and ensure you receive the most compensation possible. Your lawyer will discuss with insurance companies to achieve a fair resolution that will address your present and future financial needs.

Liability

During the initial discovery phase of your case your attorney will begin to exchange information with the insurance company of your adversary. This includes documents such as accident reports and medical records, as well as witness statements, and expert opinions.

You will also share your account of what transpired. The stress of an accident can hinder your ability to recall details, however we will be patient and kind. Our aim is to help you remember as much as you can, so we can make a convincing argument for your damages.

At this point, your lawyer will most likely seek an agreement. However, it's not always feasible. If no agreement can be reached, the case will be taken to trial. This could be a bench trial the presence of a judge or jury, based on the jurisdiction.

A lawsuit can be expensive. Insurance companies are typically required to pay the costs of an attorney, investigator, or other experts. This is why the majority of parties want to settle their claims as fast as possible. Settlements will save both parties time and money as well as make the claim more streamlined. This is one of the reasons why personal injury lawyers typically operate on a contingency basis and do not get paid until they settle your case. Plaintiffs also want to get past the incident and its aftermath.

Statute of limitations

In every lawsuit there is a specific time limit for filing the case called the statute of limitations. If you fail to file your lawsuit within the stipulated time frame, your claim will be deemed barred. This means you will not be able to claim compensation the damages you suffered. An experienced attorney can determine the precise time limits for your particular case.

For instance in car accident cases, the law requires that you file your claim within three years of the date of your accident. However, there are numerous exceptions that could affect your statute of limitations. For example, the deadline can be tolled (stopped) in certain situations like when you're a minor or when the accident involves a government agency.

There may also be a statute-of-limitations tolling provision in certain cases where there is doubt as to the victim's mental state at the moment of the incident. The statute of limitation could be tolled if your attorney demands from lawyers for the defendant as well as the defendant for details through written questions, also known as interrogatories or formal depositions.

A personal injury lawyer can ensure that your legal case is filed in time and that you have access to the evidence you need for an effective defense. Many accidents require an investigation, which can take time. In addition, physical evidence can degrade as time passes.

Defenses

There are many defenses that can be argued in any motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicle accident lawsuit. These include factual and legal arguments. Some legal defenses are based on procedural considerations that include inability to satisfy the statute of limitations. Others could be solely based on merits.

Comparative negligence is an important factual defense. This is a legal claim which asserts that the injured person who files the claim should be held partly accountable for the damages or injuries they have sustained. The validity of this argument an appropriate argument will depend on the law of the state. A majority of states have enacted some form of comparative negligence law.

Defendants can also rely on the defense of assumption of risk to attempt to strip plaintiffs of their right to compensation. This argument states that the victim assumed risk of injury by engaging in an activity like working out at a gym or playing sports. This is a valid argument, however experienced attorneys know the best way to defeat it.

Another common defense that could be used is that the party who was injured did not take the necessary steps to reduce their losses. For instance If a person filing a loss of earnings claim as part of their overall damages, the defendant could claim that the victim should have taken steps to find work even if it could not have made them whole.