The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer who specializes in car accident litigation can help you determine the strength of your case is, and how the settlement might be worth. But this is only possible if you have all the necessary information.

Discovery is the first stage of a car accident case. In this stage, attorneys and their teams discuss documents and answer questions under an oath.

Documentation

Documentation is a major element of an north chicago auto accident attorney accident. This can include evidence like photographs, medical records, or witness statements. The more evidence you have, the more convincing your case.

A law enforcement report is the first piece of paper you should have. The police officer who arrives at the accident scene will usually prepare a report. It will give valuable details about the accident and who was responsible for it.

If required, your attorney can use a police report to gather additional evidence. For example, if the incident occurred at a company or office, an employee working at the location may have recorded video footage of the incident. If this is the case, a copy of the tape should be requested from the company as soon as possible.

Keep track of any expenses you incur due to the accident. Document all expenses you have incurred as a result of. This could include medical expenses or records of treatment, receipts from medications, rental car charges for in-home assistance, care at home, transportation costs and more. It is also important to document the loss of income due to your injury. This could include old pay slips and tax returns.

If you can, collect the names of witnesses to the incident as well. They could be valuable sources of information for your case, especially if they are able to testify at trial. It's important to keep in mind that witnesses may change their accounts and forget details about the incident as time passes.

Intake and Investigation

The process of intake is vital to obtaining an adequate amount of compensation for your accident injuries regardless of whether you've submitted an insurance claim or are suing the at-fault party. Your lawyer will begin by examining your medical records, as well as obtaining copies of sweetwater auto accident law firm reports, as well as other evidence. They will also visit the scene of the accident to document and observe what they can.

This information will enable them to determine the severity of the harm you've suffered, both in terms future and current costs for Vimeo.com your emotional or physical suffering. They will then analyze your financial losses to determine the value of your case. The damages you suffer could include not only future and current medical expenses, but also your loss of income and property damage.

Your lawyer will also conduct an investigation by interviewing witnesses and analyzing all the available evidence. They will also gather information about the driving habits and cell phones of the driver at fault in order to determine if they were using their vehicle at that time. This is particularly crucial if the crash involved an Uber or Lyft vehicle or any other indication that the driver was working while working, as this could negatively impact their ability to pay for your damages.

Additionally your attorney may ask questions about the defendant's previous criminal and traffic convictions during the discovery process. These details are generally not admissible, however they can be used to undermine the defendant's credibility during cross-examination.

Negotiating a Settlement

Once you have the medical records, it is possible to begin negotiations for settlement. Initially, the insurance company may make an offer that is often substantially lower than the amount you demand in the letter. This is a tactic to test how convincing your case. In the counteroffer, you must be crucial to highlight the most powerful points in your favor - for example, the insured was entirely at fault and that you suffered severe injuries with significant medical expenses. Negotiating back and forth will eventually lead to an acceptable and reasonable amount.

A skilled accident attorney can effectively argue the merits of your claim including presenting evidence that supports your losses. This may include photos of the car's damage, a police report and witness testimony. We also know how to determine the value of each element of your claim, including lost income and pain and suffering.

If at this point the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable amount, we have the option to file a lawsuit in court. A trial usually lasts up to two days and is either heard by a judge (called a bench trial) or by a jury. If your case is settled before reaching this phase it could take months. Your attorney might also be able file a summary motion for judgment. This means claiming that all evidence is in your favor and arguing that it is impossible for the opposing side to win.

Filing a Lawsuit

In the majority of car crash cases, the parties are able to settle their disputes outside of court. Our team will assist you negotiate with the insurance company of the other driver or directly with the driver who is at fault. However, if there is no agreement Our lawyers will start an action against the defendant. The Complaint will detail your claims and details about the circumstances of the crash and why you deserve compensation. The defendant will be served the Complaint and given a certain period of time to respond to it.

The discovery stage is when our lawyers and the defendant begin to exchange documents and other materials and ask questions via interrogatories or depositions. Our team will ask the defendant's attorney questions about their version of the events, 0522565551.ussoft.kr including how they believe the crash took place and what injuries you've suffered. We will also seek out expert opinions that will support our stance.

During the discovery phase, your lawyer can prepare legal documents referred to as motions with the court to be decided by the judge. This could mean asking the court to exclude evidence or schedule a trial. It can take a whole year or more to complete the discovery process and determine a trial date for your case. This is the reason it's essential to find a knowledgeable Long Island car accident attorney early on in the process.