10 Auto Accident Claim-Related Meetups You Should Attend

The Intake Process for Car auto accident lawsuit Litigation

A lawyer who is specialized in litigation involving car accidents can help you determine the strength of your case is as well as how the settlement might be worth. This is only possible if all the information you need is available.

Discovery is the very first step of an auto accident law firms accident case. In this phase, attorneys and their teams will communicate with each other and ask questions under the oath.

Documentation

Documentation is a significant component of a car accident. This can include evidence like medical records, photos, or witness statements. The more documentation that you have the more convincing your case will be.

The first piece of documentation you should have is a report from the police. The police officer who arrives at the scene is likely to prepare a written report. It will give valuable information about the accident and the person responsible for it.

Your attorney can also use the report of a law enforcement officer to obtain additional evidence if necessary. If the accident occurred in a place of business, for example an employee might have recorded video footage. If this is the case, the tape must be requested from the business as quickly as possible.

Record any expenses you have incurred in the aftermath of the accident. Document any expenses you incurred due to. This could include medical bills and records of your treatment, receipts from medication rental car expenses home care or assistance expenses for Auto accident law firms transportation, and more. You should also document the loss of income due to your accident. You can use your old tax returns and pay stubs.

You should also try to find the names of witnesses. They might be able to give valuable information, especially if you can get them to be a witness in court. However, it is important to remember that witnesses are prone to altering their story over time and may forget details of the incident.

Intake and Investigation

If you've filed an insurance company or are starting a lawsuit against an at-fault driver, the process of intake is essential to receive the fair and complete compensation you deserve for the accident injuries. Your lawyer will begin by looking over your medical treatment records, and obtaining copies of accident reports as well as other evidence. They will also go to the scene of the accident to record and observe what they can.

This information will enable them to understand the extent of injuries you have suffered in relation to current and projected costs for your physical or emotional suffering. Then, they will review your current and future financial losses in order to determine the worth of your case. Your damages can include not just your current and future medical costs but also income loss and property damage.

Your lawyer will also conduct an investigation, including interviewing any witnesses and analyzing all available evidence. They will also collect information about the driving habits and cell phones of the drivers at fault to see how they used their vehicle at the time. This is particularly important when there was a collision that involved an Uber or Lyft car or any other indication that the driver worked while on the clock.

Additionally, your attorney will likely inquire about the defendant's criminal and traffic-related offenses as part of the discovery process. In general, these information are not admissible in court, however they can be useful to discredit the credibility of the defendant in cross-examination.

Negotiating a Settlement

Once you have the medical records, you're able to start settlement negotiations. Initially, the insurance company may make an offer that is usually considerably lower than what you demand in the letter. This is an opportunity to determine the strength of your case. In the counteroffer it is important to emphasize the strongest arguments you have in your favor - for instance, that the insured was completely at the fault, and that you suffered serious injuries that resulted in the highest medical costs. Negotiating back and forth could eventually result in an equitable and reasonable amount.

A skilled lawyer for accidents can effectively argue for your claim's merits, including presenting evidence to prove your losses. This may include photos of your car damage, police reports or witness testimony. We are able to determine the various elements of your claim, including lost income as well as pain and suffering, and police reports.

If at this point the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable amount, we have the option to make a claim in court. A trial typically lasts between one and two days and is judged by jurors or a judge. If your case settles before this stage it can take a few months. Your attorney may be in a position to file a motion for summary judge. This involves asserting that all evidence is in your favor, and arguing that it's impossible for the opponent to prevail.

Filing a Lawsuit

In the majority of car accident cases, the parties are able to settle their disputes outside of court. Our team can assist you negotiate with the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident or directly with the party who was at fault. If no agreement can be reached, our lawyers will file a suit against the defendant. The Complaint will detail your assertions and allegations regarding the circumstances of the crash and why you deserve compensation. The defendant will be served the Complaint and given a specific amount of time to respond to it.

During the discovery phase, our lawyers will discuss documents and other information with the defendant and ask questions via interrogatories and depositions. Our team will ask the attorney for the defendant questions about their version of the events, such as the circumstances under which they believe the crash took place and what injuries you have suffered. We will also seek out expert opinions that support our position.

During the process of discovery, your lawyer may submit legal documents, also known as motions to the court for a judge to decide on. This can include requesting the judge to exclude evidence or schedule a trial. It can take a whole year or more to complete the discovery process and set the trial date for your case. It's crucial to consult with an experienced Long Island Auto accident law firms accident attorney at the earliest possible point during the process.