The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

An experienced lawyer in litigation involving car accidents will be able to assist you determine the strength of your case and the amount of settlement you could receive. However, Auto Accident Attorney this is only possible when you have all the necessary information.

The initial step in a car crash lawsuit is known as discovery. During this phase attorneys and their teams exchange documents and discuss questions under an oath.

Documentation

Documentation is a major component of an auto accident law. This could be evidence like photographs, medical records, or witness statements. The more evidence you have the better your case will be.

A police report is the primary document you should have. Typically, the police officer who comes to the scene of the accident will draft an investigation report. This will provide important information about how the crash occurred and who was at fault for the incident.

If required your attorney has to use the police report to gather additional evidence. If the accident occurred in the business environment such as a place of business an employee could have recorded video footage. If this is the situation, a copy of the tape should be requested from the company as soon as it is possible.

You should also keep track of the costs you have incurred in the aftermath of the auto accident compensation. This can include medical bills and records for your treatment, receipts for medicines rental car expenses home care or assistance as well as transportation costs and much more. Additionally, you must note any income loss because of your injury. You can use tax returns and pay stubs.

If you are able, obtain the names of any witnesses to the incident as well. They could be important sources of information in your case, particularly in the event that they are able to be present at trial. It's important to keep in mind that witnesses could alter their story and forget details about the incident as time passes.

Intake and Investigation

Whether you have made a claim with an insurance company or are preparing legal action against a negligent driver, the initial intake process is crucial to getting an adequate and fair settlement for your crash injuries. Your attorney will begin by looking over your medical records and then obtaining copies of auto accident compensation reports and other evidence. They will also visit the site of the crash to document and observe what they can.

This information will enable them to understand the extent of the injuries you've suffered in relation to cost and projections for your emotional or physical suffering. Then, they will review your current and future financial losses to determine the worth of your case. The damages could include not only your present and future medical expenses, auto accident attorney but also lost income and property damage.

Your lawyer will also investigate, including interviewing any witnesses and reviewing all available evidence. They will also obtain the driving and cell phone records of the at-fault drivers to determine if they were using their vehicle at that time. This is especially important in the event that there was a collision involving an Uber or Lyft car or any other evidence that suggests the driver was working on the clock.

As part of the discovery procedure the lawyer will ask about the defendant's criminal and traffic record of offenses. In general, these information are not admissible in court but they could be helpful to undermine the credibility of the defendant during cross examination.

Negotiating a Settlement

After you have received your medical records, it is possible to start settlement negotiations. Initially the insurance company will present an offer that's usually substantially lower than the amount you request in the letter. This is a strategy to test how convincing your case. In the counteroffer, it is important to emphasize the strongest points in your favor - for example, that the insured was at fault and that you suffered serious injuries that resulted in significant medical expenses. In the end, a lot of negotiations back and forth will lead to an amount that is fair and reasonable.

A skilled accident lawyer can effectively argue for your claim's merits, including presenting proof to support your losses. This could include photos of the car's damage as well as a police report and witness testimony. We also know how to calculate the value of various elements of your claim, including loss of income, suffering and pain.

If the insurance company is unwilling to pay an amount that is reasonable at this point, we could bring a lawsuit. A trial usually lasts between one and two days and is conducted by an attorney or a jury. If your case is settled before this stage it could take a few months. Your attorney may also be able to file a summary motion to enter judgment. This means presenting all of the evidence to your advantage and arguing that it's impossible for the opposing side to win.

Filing a Lawsuit

In a majority of cases involving car accidents the parties can resolve their disagreement outside of court. Our team can assist you negotiate with the insurance company of the driver who caused the Auto Accident Compensation or directly with the party at fault. If no agreement can be reached, our attorneys will file a suit against the defendant. The Complaint will contain your claims as well as allegations regarding the accident and the reasons why you are entitled to compensation. The defendant will be served the Complaint and given a particular period of time to respond.

During the discovery phase, our attorneys will discuss documents and other evidence with the defendant while asking questions via interrogatories as well as depositions. Our team will be asking questions to the lawyer of the defendant regarding their interpretation of the events, including the injuries you've suffered and what they believe happened. took place. We will also solicit expert opinions that support our position.

During the discovery phase, your lawyer may prepare legal documents referred to as motions in court to be ruled on by an individual judge. These could include requests to the court to omit certain evidence or to schedule the date for a trial. It can take up to one year for the investigation process to be completed and a trial date to be set. It's crucial to consult with an experienced Long Island auto accident attorney early in the process.