The Intake Process for auto accident law firm Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer with experience in the field of car accident litigation can help you determine the strength of your case and the amount of settlement you could receive. This is only possible if all the information you require is available.

Discovery is the first step of a car accident case. During this phase attorneys and their teams discuss documents and answer questions under an oath.

Documentation

Documentation is a major aspect of the investigation in a car accident. This can include evidence such as photographs, medical records or witness statements. Generally speaking, the more evidence you have to back your claim, the stronger your case will be.

A police report is the first piece of paper you should have. The police officer who arrives at the scene of an auto accident law firms will usually write a report. This will provide valuable details about the accident and who was responsible for it.

If required your attorney has to use the police report to gather additional evidence. If the incident occurred in a place of business such as a place of business, an employee may have recorded video footage. If this is the case, ask for a copy of the footage from the company.

Keep track of any expenses you incur as a result of the accident. Document all expenses you have incurred as a result of. This can include medical bills and records of your treatment, receipts for medicines rental car costs as well as in-home care or assistance transport costs, and more. It is important to record any income you lose due to your injury. This could include old pay slips and tax returns.

If you are able, obtain the names of witnesses to the incident as well. These people can serve as valuable sources of information for your case, especially in the event that they are able to be present at trial. But, it's important to remember that witnesses are prone to altering their testimony over time and forget details of the incident.

Intake and Investigation

The process of intake is vital to getting fair compensation for your accident injuries, whether you have submitted an insurance claim or are suing the responsible party. Your attorney will begin by examining your medical records and then obtaining copies accident reports and other evidence. They will also visit the site of the crash to take note of what they can.

This information will assist them determine the extent of your injuries both in terms of current and projected future costs for your physical and emotional suffering. They will then look over your existing and expected financial losses to estimate the total value of your case. The damages could include not only your current and future medical expenses but also income loss and property damage.

Your lawyer will also investigate the incident, including interviewing witnesses and analyzing all available evidence. They will also obtain driving and cell phone records of the driver at fault in order to determine how they used their vehicle at the time. This will be especially important if the collision involved an Uber or Lyft vehicle or any other indication that the driver was working while on the job, since this could impact their ability to cover your damages.

As part of the discovery process, your lawyer will also ask about the defendant's criminal and traffic record of offenses. These facts are usually not admissible, however they can be used to undermine the credibility of the defendant in cross-examination.

Negotiating a Settlement

After you have received your medical records, you can begin settlement negotiation. Initially, the insurance company will present an offer that's usually considerably lower than what you requested in your letter. This is a method to test how convincing your case is. In the counteroffer, you must be important to highlight the strongest arguments in your favor, for instance, that the insured was fully at the fault and that you sustained serious injuries that resulted in high medical costs. In the end, a lot of bargaining back and forth should result in an amount that is both fair and reasonable.

A skilled attorney can effectively argue your claim's merits, by presenting evidence to justify your losses. This could include photos of the car damage, police reports, and witness testimony. We have the ability to calculate the various components of your claim such as loss of income along with pain and suffering as well as a police reports.

If the insurance company refuses to pay an acceptable amount at this point, we can file a lawsuit. A trial usually lasts between one and two days and is ruled on by an attorney or a jury. If your case settles prior to reaching this phase, the process can take months. Alternatively, your attorney may be capable of filing an application for summary judgment. This means presenting all of the evidence in your favor and arguing that it's impossible for the opposing side to win.

Filing a Lawsuit

In the majority of car crash instances, parties can settle their disputes without going to court. Our team will work to help you negotiate an agreement with the insurance company of the other driver company, or directly with the party at fault. If no agreement is reached, our attorneys will file a suit against the defendant. The complaint contains your claims and allegations relating to the accident and the reasons why you are entitled to compensation. The defendant will be served with the Complaint and given a specific time frame to respond.

During the discovery phase, our attorneys will exchange documents and other evidence 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, including how they believe the crash happened and what injuries you've sustained. We will also seek expert opinions to support our claims.

During the process of discovery, your lawyer could file legal documents called motions to the court to a judge's decision on. This could include requests for the court to omit certain evidence or to schedule an appointment for trial. It could take a full year or more to complete the discovery process and set an appointment date for your case. It's crucial to consult with an experienced Long Island auto accident law firm (haim.kr) accident attorney as early as possible in the process.