The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer who is experienced in car accident litigation will be able to assist you determine the potential strength of your case and the amount of settlement you could get. This is only possible if all the information you require is available.

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

Documentation

Documentation is a large part of the work in the event of a car crash. This could include evidence such as photos, medical records, or witness statements. Generally, the more documentation you can provide to support your claim the stronger your claim will be.

A police report is the first document you need. Typically the police officer who comes to the scene of the accident will write an investigation report. This will contain important information about the circumstances of the crash and who was at fault for the incident.

If required your attorney has to use an investigation report to collect additional evidence. For instance, if the incident took place in a commercial where employees were present, the location might have recorded footage of the incident. If this is the case, request a copy from the business.

Keep track of any expenses you incur in the aftermath of the accident. This can include medical bills and records for your treatment, receipts for medicines, rental car fees, in-home care or assistance expenses for transportation, Vimeo and more. You should also document the loss of income due to your injury. This can include old pay slips and tax returns.

If you are able to, request the names of witnesses to the incident as well. They might be able to give valuable information, especially if you are able to get them to be a witness in court. It's important to remember that witnesses may alter their narratives and forget specifics about the incident as time passes.

Intake and Investigation

The process of intake is vital to obtaining fair settlement for your accident-related injuries, whether you have made an insurance claim or you are suing the person at fault. Your lawyer will begin by looking over your medical treatment documents, as well as copies of accident reports and other available evidence. They will also visit the scene of the crash to observe and document what they can.

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

Your lawyer will also investigate by interviewing witnesses and analyzing the available evidence. They will also collect driving and cell phone records of the at-fault drivers to determine how they used their vehicle at that time. This is particularly important if there was a collision with an Uber or Lyft car or any other evidence that suggests the driver was working around the clock.

As part of the discovery process Your lawyer will inquire about the defendant's criminal and traffic offence records. These details are typically not admissible, however they can be used to undermine the defendant's credibility in cross-examination.

Negotiating a Settlement

Once you have received the medical records, you are able to begin negotiations for settlement. In the beginning the insurance company may make an offer that is often significantly lower than the amount you have requested in the letter. This is a tactic to test how convincing your case is. In the counteroffer it is crucial to emphasize the most important arguments for your side - for example, that the insured was fully at the fault and that you sustained severe injuries with significant medical expenses. Negotiating back and forth could eventually lead to an equitable and reasonable amount.

An experienced attorney can effectively argue the benefits of your claim, including presenting evidence that supports your losses. This could include photos of vehicle damage, police reports or witness testimony. We know how to calculate various aspects of your claim, such as lost income, pain and suffering and police reports.

If, at this point, the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, we may choose to make a claim in court. A trial usually lasts about two or three days and is usually ruled by a judge (called a bench trial) or jurors. If your case settles prior to this stage it can take a few months. Your attorney may be able to file an application for summary judgment. This means claiming that all evidence is in your favor and arguing that it is impossible for the other side to win.

Filing an action

In a majority of cases involving car accidents the parties are able to settle their disputes outside of court. Our team can help you negotiate with the insurance company of the other driver or directly with the driver who is at fault. However, if an agreement is not reached Our lawyers will start an action against the defendant. The Complaint will outline your assertions and allegations regarding the circumstances of the crash and why you deserve compensation. The defendant is served the Complaint and given a certain time frame to respond.

During the discovery phase, our attorneys will share documents and other materials with the defendant and ask questions through interrogatories and depositions. Our team will ask the attorney for the defendant questions regarding their interpretation of events, including the circumstances under which they believe the crash occurred and Vimeo what injuries you have suffered. We will also look for expert opinions to support our position.

During the discovery process, your lawyer can file legal documents called motions to the court for a judge to decide on. This can include requests for the court to omit certain evidence, or to set a trial date. It can take as long as one year for the investigation process to be completed and a trial date set. It is essential to speak with an experienced Long Island auto accident attorney at the earliest possible point during the process.