The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer who is specialized in litigation involving car accidents can assist you in determining how strong your case is and also how much your settlement could be worth. But this is only possible with all the information needed.

The initial step in a lawsuit involving a car accident is known as discovery. In this phase, attorneys and their teams exchange documents and discuss their respective cases under the oath.

Documentation

Documentation is an integral element of an Shreveport Auto Accident Attorney 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.

The first document that you must have is a report from the police. The police officer who arrives at the scene of the accident is likely to prepare a written report. This will provide valuable details about the incident and who was responsible for it.

If required your attorney has to use a police report to gather additional evidence. If the accident occurred in the business environment for instance an employee could have recorded video footage. If this is the case, you must request a copy of the video from the business.

Document any expenses you incurred in the aftermath of the accident. This could include medical bills and records of your treatment, medication receipts rental car costs for in-home assistance, care at home transport costs, and many more. Additionally, you must note any income loss due to your accident. This can include old pay stubs, as well as tax returns.

It is also advisable to find the names of witnesses. These people may be able to give valuable details, especially if can get them to appear in court. It's important to keep in mind that witnesses may alter their story and forget details about the incident as time passes.

Intake and Investigation

The process of intake is crucial to receiving fair settlement for your fargo auto accident attorney-related injuries, whether you have filed an insurance claim or are suing the at-fault party. Your lawyer will begin by reviewing your medical treatment records, and obtaining copies of auto accident lawyer reports as well as other evidence. They will also visit the scene of the crash to record and observe what they can.

This information will allow them to determine the severity of the injuries you've sustained, both in terms actual and projected costs for your emotional or physical suffering. They will then review your financial losses in order to estimate the value of your case. Your damages may include not just future and present medical expenses, but also loss of income and property damage.

Your lawyer will also investigate and interview witnesses and analyzing all the available evidence. They will also gather the driving and cell phone records of the drivers at fault to determine how they operated their vehicle during the time. This is particularly crucial if the crash involved an Uber or Lyft vehicle or Shreveport Auto accident attorney any other evidence that suggests the driver was working while on the job, as this could affect their ability to cover your damages.

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

Negotiating a Settlement

After you've obtained the medical documents after which your lawyer can start negotiations to settle the matter. The insurance company will often make an initial offer that is less than what you demanded in your letter. This is a way to test how convincing your argument is. In your counteroffer it is crucial to emphasize the most important points that you have to your advantage. For instance, you can say the insurer was at fault and there were severe injuries and significant medical expenses. The process of negotiating back and forth should eventually result in an appropriate and fair amount.

An experienced attorney can effectively argue the benefits of your claim, by presenting evidence to prove your losses. This could include photos of vehicle damage, police reports and witness testimony. We also know how to determine the value of different elements of your claim, like lost income and pain and suffering.

If the insurance company is unwilling to pay an acceptable amount at this point, we could file a lawsuit. A trial typically lasts about two or three days and can be heard by a judge (called a bench trial) or by a jury. If your case is settled before this point, it can take several months. In addition, your attorney might be able to file a motion for summary judgement. This involves arguing that all evidence is in your favor and arguing that it's impossible to allow the opposing side to win.

Filing a Lawsuit

In a majority of cases involving car accidents parties can resolve their disagreement outside of court. Our team can assist you negotiate with the insurance company of the other driver or directly with the person who was at fault. If there is no agreement the lawyers of our firm will file a lawsuit against the defendant. The Complaint outlines your claims and allegations relating to the incident and why you are entitled to compensation. The defendant is served with the Complaint and given a specified amount of time to respond.

The discovery stage is when our attorneys and the defendant will begin to exchange documents and other material and ask questions via interrogatories or depositions. Our team will ask questions to the lawyer representing the defendant about their interpretation of the events, such as what injuries you've sustained and the way they believe it happened. We will also search for experts to back our assertions.

During the discovery phase, your lawyer can file legal documents known as motions in court to be decided by a judge. This could mean asking the court to block evidence or to schedule a trial. It can take as long as one year for the investigation process to be completed and a trial date scheduled. This is why it's important to partner with an experienced Long Island car accident attorney early in the process.