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How to Build a Strong Auto Accident Case

In many cases of car accidents, there are multiple parties involved. A jury may decide to apportion damages between different defendants.

Your lawyer will request financial documents, interview witnesses, get documents from medical professionals as well as experts, take your deposition, and much more. The discovery process can last up to a year. Trials can last from a few hours or years, and appeals can add months or even years to the duration of the case.

Gathering Evidence

One of the most crucial steps in an auto crash case involves gathering evidence. This could include witness testimony physical proof of damage medical records, and financial documentation for the losses you have suffered.

Photographic evidence of the scene of the accident is essential. Skid marks and weather conditions, damages to both vehicles and the location of the vehicles can all contribute to determining the manner in which the accident occurred and who was at fault. The black box data of the other driver’s car can be extremely helpful in determining how fast they were traveling and whether they had their brakes turned on or off at the time of the accident.

It is recommended to gather witnesses’ information about the scene of the crash while it’s still fresh in their mind. This includes those driving through the vicinity, people walking on the sidewalks, or those who were in nearby restaurants or shops who witnessed the accident. Asking witnesses to record their testimony on video is a great idea.

A police report can be an important piece of evidence in the case of a lawsuit or claim arising from a car accident. It usually contains vital details about the accident, such as the names of everyone involved and their numbers, as well as insurance policy details. The report will also contain an officer’s assessment of the circumstances of the accident and who is at fault.

Seeking auto accident law firm seattle

In any car crash, seeking medical attention is the top priority. You must visit a doctor for an exam and get treatment. Document your treatment to prove you were injured. This will also allow you to keep insurance companies from claiming that you weren’t injured in the accident.

You may require a visit to the emergency room, based on the severity and nature of injury. This is essential, especially in the case of serious injuries, such as neck trauma or spinal injury which could be fatal. Your primary care physician (PCP) can also be an effective option for treating minor injuries. Generally speaking, PCPs are less likely to refuse treatment for auto accident victims than in the past.

If you’re seeing a physician who doesn’t care for you, you could try going to an urgent care clinic. They typically have longer clinical hours and can take patients who walk in. They also have a greater flexibility in the way they bill for treatments in connection with car accidents than many PCPs.

In some cases your doctor may recommend you to a specialist who can assist with surgery or manage your illness. This is an excellent way to speed up your treatment and increase your chances of obtaining the full and fair compensation. If a physician tries to collect money immediately be sure to inform them that you’re seeking treatment because of an accident, and that you’ll pay the bill at a later date, based on the settlement you’ll receive.

Contacting an attorney

It is recommended to hire a lawyer in a car accident as quickly as you can following the incident. The sooner a lawyer is hired to work on your case, they’ll be able to collect more evidence and help you strengthen your claim.


Your lawyer will first ask for access to your medical records as well as other documentation related to the accident. This will allow them to draw vivid pictures of your injuries, as well as the impact that your accidents have had on you.

Your lawyer will also look into the incident in-depth. This may involve visiting the scene in person and speaking with police and conducting interviews. It could also involve consulting with experts like mechanics or medical experts.

A lawyer can also assist you to learn how insurance companies calculate the amount of money they will cover for your pain and discomfort. It can be difficult to put a dollar value on these non-economic damages, especially when your injuries are not immediately apparent because of adrenaline or they take days or even weeks to develop, like back or neck strains or concussions.

Additionally, your attorney can assist you with the at-fault driver’s insurance damages, statements or examinations, while preserving evidence in determining liability, and making calculations of damages, case evaluation and settlement valuation, maximizing your settlement recovery, reviewing legal and correspondence documents, and creating releases. Having an attorney to handle the many complex aspects of your car accident will save you time, money and stress. A knowledgeable attorney can prevent you from falling victim to common pitfalls that can derail your claim.

Filing a Lawsuit

If negligence by another party caused a car crash which left you injured, it makes sense to seek compensation to cover medical bills and repair costs to your vehicle as well as emotional distress. If the insurance company refuses to negotiate a fair settlement or offer a reasonable settlement, you can start a lawsuit in court to seek damages.

The filing of lawsuits is a process called civil litigation, and the specific rules of each state differ. A typical suit begins with the plaintiff filing a complaint in court that is served on the responsible party (defendant). The complaint lists all the legal reasons for which you are entitled to compensation and your right to seek damages.

Answers are documents used by the defendant to respond to the plaintiff’s assertions. The defendant either acknowledges or denies all allegations listed in the complaint. They also list any legal defenses to the case.

The next step is the discovery process. During discovery, your attorney can seek documents and other information from the defendant’s lawyer and witnesses through written questions referred as interrogatories or depositions or meetings. Depositions are commonly used to collect the evidence of witnesses, police officers who investigated the crash, and medical professionals who treated you for injuries. The information that is gathered during discovery helps your attorney build an argument on your behalf to get fair compensation for your vehicle accident injuries.