Write About Everything

The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer with expertise in litigation involving car accidents can assist you in determining how strong your case is, and how the settlement might be worth. This is only possible when all the information you require is available.

Discovery is the first step of a car accident case. During this stage, attorneys and their teams exchange documents and ask each other questions under oath.

Documentation

A lot of the work involved in a car accident case is collecting documentation. This could include evidence such photos, medical records or witness statements. Generally, the more documentation you can provide to support your claim, the more convincing your claim will be.

A law enforcement report is the first document you should have. The police officer who arrives at the scene will typically prepare a report. This report will provide important information regarding the accident as well as who was responsible.

If needed you need to, your attorney can make use of the police report to gather additional evidence. For instance, if the incident occurred in a business the employee who worked at that area may have recorded video footage of the incident. If auto accident lawyer inglewood is the case, you should request a copy from the company.

Keep track of any expenses you incur due to the accident. Record any costs you incur due to. These could include medical bills and records of your treatment, receipts from medication rental car fees for in-home assistance, care at home as well as transportation costs. Additionally, you must keep track of any income loss as a result of your injury. You can use your old tax returns and pay stubs.

You should also obtain the names of witnesses. They might be able provide valuable information, especially if you are able to have them appear in court. But, it’s important to keep in mind that witnesses can alter their accounts over time, and may forget details of the incident.

Intake and Investigation

If you’ve filed an insurance firm or are beginning a lawsuit against an at-fault driver, the initial intake process is essential for obtaining an adequate and fair settlement for the accident injuries. Your lawyer will begin by reviewing your medical treatment records, obtaining copies of accident reports and other available evidence. They will also go to and document the scene of the accident.

This information will allow them to determine the severity of injuries you have suffered in terms of current and projected costs for your physical or emotional suffering. Then, they will review your current and future financial losses to determine the value of your case. Your damages can include not only your current and future medical expenses as well as lost income and property damage.

Your lawyer will also investigate the incident, which includes interviewing witnesses and reviewing any available evidence. They will also take the driving and cell phone records of the drivers at fault to determine how they operated their vehicle during the time. This is particularly important if there was a collision involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle or any other evidence that suggests the driver was on the clock.

Additionally the lawyer may ask questions about the defendant’s past criminal and traffic convictions during the discovery process. These details are generally not admissible, but can be used to undermine the credibility of the defendant in cross-examination.

Negotiating a Settlement


Once you have the medical records and obtaining the medical records, your lawyer can begin negotiations for settlement. The insurance company will typically make an initial offer that is less than what you demanded in your letter. This is a way to determine how strong your case. In the counteroffer, it is crucial to highlight the most powerful arguments you have in your favor – for example, that the insured was at blame and that you were afflicted with serious injuries that resulted in high medical costs. In the end, a lot of negotiations back and forth should result in an amount that is both reasonable and fair.

An experienced accident lawyer can effectively argue for the merits of your claim including presenting evidence that supports your losses. This may include photos of the car damage along with a police report as well as witness testimony. We also know how to calculate the value of various elements of your claim, including lost income and suffering and pain.

If the insurance company refuses to pay an amount that is reasonable at the moment, we can file a lawsuit. A trial usually lasts between one and two days and is judged by an attorney or a jury. If your case is settled before this point it could take several months. Your attorney may also be able to file a summary judgment motion. This involves asserting that all evidence is in your favor and arguing that it’s impossible for the other side to prevail.

Filing a Lawsuit

In a majority of cases involving car accidents parties can settle their dispute out of court. Our team will help you negotiate with the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident or directly with the person who was at fault. If no agreement is reached, our attorneys will file a lawsuit against the defendant. The Complaint will include your assertions and allegations regarding the cause of the crash and why you are entitled to compensation. The defendant is served the Complaint, and given a specified amount of time to respond.

During the discovery phase, our attorneys will share documents and other evidence with the defendant while asking questions through interrogatories and depositions. Our team will ask questions to the lawyer representing the defendant about their perspective on the events, focusing on what injuries you’ve suffered and what they believe happened. took place. We will also search for experts to back our assertions.

During the discovery phase, your lawyer can submit legal documents, also known as motions to the court for a decision by an individual judge. This could include asking the court to exclude evidence or to schedule a trial. It could take a full year or more to complete the process of discovery and to set an appointment date for your case. This is why it’s important to partner with an experienced Long Island car accident attorney early on in the process.