The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer that specializes in the field of car accident litigation can help you determine the strength of your case is, and how the settlement might be worth. However it is only possible with all the information needed.

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

Documentation

A large portion of the work involved in a car crash case is collecting documentation. This can include evidence like photos, medical records, or witness statements. The more evidence you have the more convincing your case will become.

A police report is the very first document you need. The police officer who arrives at the scene is likely to prepare a written report. This report will provide important details about the incident and the person responsible for it.

If necessary you need to, your attorney can make use of an investigation report to collect additional evidence. For instance, if an incident occurred at a company where employees were present, the site might have recorded footage of the incident. If that's the case, the tape should be requested from the company as soon as is possible.

You should also document the expenses you incur as a result of the accident. This can include medical bills and records for your treatment, receipts for medication rental car expenses, in-home care or assistance expenses for transportation, and much more. In addition, you should note any income loss due to your accident. You can use old tax returns and pay stubs.

If you can, collect the names of any witnesses to the incident as well. They may be able to give valuable information, especially if you are able to get them to appear in court. However, it's important to remember that witnesses may alter their accounts over time, and could forget specific details about the accident.

Intake and Investigation

If you've filed a claim with an insurance company or are preparing an action against an at-fault driver, the initial intake process is essential to receive the full and fair amount of compensation for Download free the injuries you sustained in a crash. Your lawyer will begin by looking over your medical records, and obtaining copies of cutler bay auto accident law firm reports as well as other evidence. They will also visit and document the accident scene.

This will allow them to understand the extent of the injuries you've sustained, both in terms future and current costs for your physical or emotional suffering. They will also review your financial losses to estimate the total value of your case. The damages you incur could include not only your present and future medical expenses but also income loss and property damage.

Your lawyer will also investigate the incident, including speaking with witnesses and analyzing all the available evidence. They will also take the driver at fault's driving records and cell phone records to see the way they used their vehicle at the time of the crash. This is especially important in the event that there was a collision with an Uber or [Redirect-Meta-0] Lyft car or 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 traffic and criminal record of offenses. In general, these information are not admissible in court, but they can be useful to undermine the credibility of a defendant during cross-examination.

Negotiating a Settlement

After obtaining the medical records and obtaining the medical records, your lawyer can begin negotiations to settle the matter. The insurance company is likely to make an initial offer that is less than what you requested in your letter. This is an opportunity to test the strength of your case. In your counteroffer, it's crucial to emphasize the most important arguments to your advantage. For instance, you can say that the insurer was in the wrong and that there were serious injuries and the medical costs were high. Then, bargaining back and forth will result in an amount that is fair and reasonable.

A skilled fairborn auto accident law firm attorney can successfully argue the benefits of your claim, including presenting evidence supporting your losses. This could include photos of the damage to your vehicle or a police report, as well as witness testimony. We also know how to determine the value of each element of your claim, including lost income and suffering and pain.

At this point, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, we can decide to make a claim in court. A trial usually lasts between one and two days and is conducted by a judge or a jury. If your case settles prior to this phase it could take several months. Your attorney might also be able file a summary motion to enter judgment. This involves asserting all of the evidence in your favor and arguing that it is impossible for the opposing side to win.

Filing an action

In the majority of car crash cases parties can settle their disputes outside of court. Our team will assist you negotiate with the insurance company of the other driver or directly with the person responsible for the accident. However, if an agreement is not reached, our lawyers will start an action against the defendant. The complaint contains your claims as well as allegations regarding the accident, and explains why you are entitled to compensation. The defendant will be served the Complaint and given a specified amount of time to respond to it.

During the discovery phase, our attorneys will discuss documents and other material with the defendant and ask questions via interrogatories as well as depositions. Our team will ask the attorney for the defendant questions about their view of the events, such as what they believe happened, how they believe it occurred and the injuries you've sustained. We will also seek out expert opinions that will support our stance.

During the discovery stage, your lawyer will prepare legal documents referred to as motions to the court for a decision by an individual judge. This may include requests for the court's decision to exclude certain evidence, or to set the date for a trial. It could take a year or more to complete the discovery process and establish a trial date for your case. This is why it's important to find a knowledgeable Long Island car Reno auto accident lawsuit attorney early on in the process.