The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer who is experienced in defending car accident cases can help you determine the strength of your case and the amount of settlement you could receive. However it is only possible with all the necessary information.

The initial step in a car crash lawsuit is known as discovery. During this stage, attorneys and their teams communicate with each other and ask questions under the oath.

Documentation

A lot of the work involved in a car wreck case is collecting evidence. This could include evidence such as photos, medical records, or witness statements. The more documentation that you have, the better your case will be.

The first document that you must have is a police report. The police officer who arrives at the accident scene will usually write a report. This report will provide important information regarding the accident as well as who was responsible.

If needed your lawyer has the option of using the police report to gather additional evidence. For instance, if the accident happened in a business, an employee at that area may have recorded video footage of the incident. If this is the case the tape should be requested from the business as soon as is possible.

You should also record the costs you have incurred as a result of the accident. These could include medical bills and records for your treatment, receipts for medication rental car costs, in-home care or assistance expenses for transportation, and much more. In addition, you should keep track of any income loss due to your la mirada auto accident attorney. You can use tax returns and pay stubs.

If you can, get the names of witnesses to the incident as well. They might be able provide valuable information, particularly if you are able to have them testify in court. However, it is important to remember that witnesses can change their testimony over time and they may forget details about the incident.

Intake and Investigation

If you've made an insurance claim with an company or have started an action against the at-fault driver, the process of obtaining an intake is essential for obtaining full and fair compensation for the accident injuries. Your lawyer will begin by looking over your medical records, as well as obtaining copies of accident reports and other evidence. They will also visit and document the scene of the accident.

This information will assist them determine the extent of your injuries in relation to future and current costs for your emotional and physical suffering. They will then analyze your financial losses to estimate the total value of your case. The damages you incur could comprise not only your current and future medical expenses as well as lost income and property damage.

Your lawyer will also conduct an investigation, including interviewing any witnesses and analyzing all the available evidence. They will also take the driver who was at fault and their driving phone records to determine how they were using their vehicle at the time of the collision. This is particularly important when there was a collision with an Uber or Lyft car, or [empty] any other indication that the driver was working on the clock.

As part of the discovery procedure the lawyer will inquire about the defendant's criminal and traffic record of offenses. These details are typically not admissible but could be used to undermine the defendant's credibility in cross-examination.

Negotiating a Settlement

Once you have received the medical records, you can begin settlement negotiation. Initially the insurance company will make an offer that's usually much lower than what you requested in your letter. This is an opportunity to test the strength of your case. In the counteroffer, you must be crucial to emphasize the most important arguments you have in your favor - for example, the insured was completely at the fault, and that you suffered severe injuries with high medical expenses. In the end, back and forth bargaining will lead to an amount that is reasonable and fair.

A skilled lawyer for accidents can successfully argue for your claim's merits, by presenting evidence to justify your losses. This could include photos of car damage, police reports or witness testimony. We also know how to determine the value of each element of your claim, including loss of income, pain and suffering.

If the insurance company is unwilling to pay an appropriate amount at this point, we may make a claim. A trial usually lasts up to two days and can be heard by an individual judge (called a bench trial) or by a jury. If your case settles prior to this stage, it can take several months. Or, your lawyer may be in a position to file an application for summary judgment. This is a way of claiming that all evidence is in your favor, and arguing that it's impossible to allow the opposing side to win.

Filing an action

In a majority of car mckenzie auto accident attorney cases parties are able to settle their dispute out of court. Our team can help you negotiate with the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident or directly with the driver who was at fault. However, if an agreement cannot be reached Our lawyers will file a lawsuit against the defendant. The Complaint will include your claims and allegations regarding the cause of the crash and the reasons you are entitled to compensation. The defendant is served the Complaint, and given a specified period of time to reply.

During the discovery phase, our attorneys will discuss documents and other material with the defendant while asking questions via interrogatories or depositions. Our team will ask the attorney for the defendant questions regarding their interpretation of events, focusing on how they believe the crash occurred and the injuries you have suffered. We will also seek expert opinions to support our position.

During the discovery process your lawyer could submit legal documents known as motions to the court for a judge's ruling on. This may include requesting the court to exclude evidence or schedule a trial. It can take a year or more to complete the discovery process and determine the trial date for your case. It is essential to speak with an experienced Long Island Burley Auto Accident Lawsuit accident attorney as early as you can in the process.