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The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer who has experience in defending car accident cases will be able to help you determine the worth of your case and the amount of settlement you could get. This is only possible if all the information you need 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 the oath.

Documentation

A large portion of the work that goes into a car accident case is obtaining documentation. This may include evidence like photographs, medical records, or witness statements. Generally speaking, the more evidence 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. Typically, the police officer who comes to the scene of the crash will prepare reports, and these will provide important information about how the accident occurred and who was at fault for the incident.

If needed your attorney has to use a police report to gather additional evidence. If the incident occurred at a place of business such as a place of business an employee might have recorded video footage. If this is the case, a copy of the tape must be requested from the business as soon as is possible.

You should also document the expenses you incur in the aftermath of the accident. This could include medical bills and records for your treatment, receipts for medicines, rental car fees and in-home assistance or care as well as transportation costs and many more. Also, you should document any income lost due to your injury. This could include old pay stubs, as well as tax returns.

You should also try to find the names of witnesses. These witnesses can be important sources of information in your case, particularly if they are able to give evidence at trial. However, it’s important to remember that witnesses are prone to altering their story over time and forget details of the incident.

Intake and Investigation


If you’ve filed an insurance company or have started an action against the at-fault driver, the process of obtaining an intake is essential to obtaining the fair and complete compensation you deserve for your injuries from a crash. Your attorney will begin by looking over your medical records, obtaining copies of accident reports, as well as other evidence. They will also go to and document the scene of the accident.

This will allow them to assess the severity of the harm you’ve suffered as well as the actual and projected costs for your emotional or physical suffering. They will also review your financial losses to estimate the value of your case. The damages you incur could include not only your current and future medical expenses but also income loss and property damage.

Your lawyer will also conduct an investigation, including interviewing any witnesses and analyzing all the available evidence. They will also gather data from the cell phone and driving records of the at-fault drivers to see how they used their vehicle during the time. This is especially important if there was a collision with an Uber or Lyft car or any other evidence that suggests the driver worked while on the clock.

As part of the discovery process as part of the discovery process, your lawyer will inquire about the defendant’s traffic and criminal record of offenses. These facts are usually not admissible but could be used to undermine the credibility of the defendant in cross-examination.

The process of negotiating a settlement

Once you have the medical records and obtaining the medical records, your lawyer can begin settlement negotiations. The insurance company may make an initial offer that is much smaller than the amount that you demanded in your letter. This is a way to see how strong your argument is. In auto accident lawyer peoria , it’s important to highlight the strongest points you have in your favor. For instance, if you claim the insurer was responsible and that there were severe injuries and high medical costs. Negotiating back and forth should eventually lead to a fair and reasonable amount.

A skilled accident lawyer can successfully argue your claim’s merits including presenting proof to support your losses. This could include photos of vehicle damages, police reports and witness testimony. We know how to calculate various elements of your claim, such as lost income or pain and suffering, as well as police report.

If at this point the insurance company still refuses to offer a reasonable amount, we may choose to start a lawsuit in the courtroom. A trial usually lasts up to two days and is either heard by a judge (called a bench trial) or a jury. If your case settles before reaching this stage the process could take months. Your attorney might also be able to file a summary motion for judgment. This involves asserting that all evidence is in your favour, and arguing that it is impossible for the opposition to prevail.

Filing a Lawsuit

In the majority of cases involving car accidents the parties can settle their disputes outside of court. Our team will assist you in negotiating a settlement with the other driver’s insurance company or directly with the party at fault. However, if an agreement is not reached the lawyers of our firm will initiate an action against the defendant. The complaint contains your claims and allegations regarding the accident and the reasons why you are entitled to compensation. The defendant is served with the Complaint and given a set period of time to reply.

During the discovery phase, our attorneys will share documents and other materials with the defendant while asking questions through interrogatories and depositions. Our team will ask the defendant’s attorney questions about their version of the events, including the circumstances under which they believe the crash occurred and the injuries you have suffered. We will also seek expert opinions that support our position.

During the discovery stage, your lawyer will make legal documents known as motions in court for a decision by a judge. This can include requests for the court’s decision to exclude certain evidence or set a trial date. It could take a full year or more to complete the discovery process and determine a trial date for your case. It is essential to speak with an experienced Long Island auto accident attorney early during the process.