Phases of an auto accident attorney Accident Lawsuit

Car crash injuries can result in substantial medical bills as well as property damage and loss of wages. An experienced lawyer can assist you receive the compensation that you need.

The process varies from case to case however, generally it starts with filing an action. The discovery phase, trial, and appeals are the next step.

Medical Records

Medical records are an essential component of any auto accident Law Firm crash case. They will assist jurors or judges to understand the impact of the injury on your life. This includes the emotional, auto accident Law firm financial physical, and emotional expenses. Insurance companies will be unable to refute the story portrayed by medical records.

You may only have a specific amount of time, depending on the laws of your state and the guidelines of your physician, to request medical records. This is the reason why you should contact your lawyer as soon as you can following an accident. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA, protects your right to access these medical records. But, this doesn't mean that only you or your lawyer will be able to access your medical records. Insurance companies are often keen to uncover anything that could suggest your injuries were pre-existing or not as severe as you think.

Your lawyer will make use of your medical records to prepare a demand letter which will contain evidence to justify the damages you are seeking. It is imperative to ensure that your lawyer provides relevant medical documents to the insurance company because they could ask you to sign a medical authorization that allows them to access all your medical records. This is not in your best interest since it could expose past injuries that aren't related to the current claim.

Police Reports

Every time a police official responds to a request for help, such as an accident, he makes a police report. Although they are not admissible in a court of law (they are considered to be hearsay) they can provide valuable information for attorneys who are conducting investigations and preparing cases.

A police report is an objective account of what transpired in the accident, based on witnesses' statements and the officer's observations regarding the damage to the vehicle, weather conditions, drivers and more. It is an important evidence that can aid in winning a lawsuit in a car accident.

You can typically request a copy of the records from the precinct responsible for the investigation. Contact their non-emergency number and provide the receipt or incident number as identification. The police department might have a website where you can request copies of records online.

If your medical bills and property damage as well as lost wages exceed an amount that is a certain amount, you'll need to bring a lawsuit against the driver who is at fault. The police report can be an effective tool for settlement negotiations, especially if you can prove the other driver's guilt through the observations of the officer. Many cases are settled without having to go to trial. Pre-trial proceedings can be lengthy and your case might not be resolved until a year after you file it.

Insurance Company Negotiations

When the adjuster has all the information they need from you and your vehicle accident investigation, they'll make an offer for settlement. In order to create their first offer, they'll enter all the details and facts into a computer program. They'll likely come up with a number that's much lower than what you calculated based on your investigation. When insurance companies offer settlement offers, they've got their own financial interest in their minds.

They will want to limit how much they will have to pay for medical bills and other damages. You can fight back if you point out the way your injuries will impact your life in the coming years. You could, for instance highlight your growing medical bills and lost earnings potential, as well as the mental and physical suffering you're experiencing.

You or your attorney will then draft an official demand letter and present it to an insurance company. It will contain all the evidence you've collected, including statements from witnesses, photographs of your injuries and any documents that support your losses. Also, you will create an inventory of non-negotiables in order to stop the insurance company from undervaluing your claim. When an agreement is reached, it will be reflected in an agreement for auto accident law Firm settlement in writing. It's normal for a back and forth to occur during the negotiation process, but remaining patient will help you reach an equitable settlement.

Legal Advice

The next stage in the car accident lawsuit is discovery, in which the parties exchange information and evidence. Parties may seek medical records and police reports, as well as witness statements. The parties may also exchange interrogatories that are written questions which have to be answered on an oath within certain times. Your attorney will also record the severity of the physical, emotional, and psychological traumas you've suffered and any other damages that could be sought, including the current and anticipated medical expenses or property damage, as well as lost wages.

Your lawyer will also talk with experts such as medical specialists mechanics, engineers, and mechanics. These experts can help the jury to get an accurate picture of your injuries and the accident.

Your lawyer will begin negotiations with insurance companies to try to settle your claim without a trial. However, if the insurance company provides you with a low amount of money or does not take your injury and other damages into consideration the case will go to trial.

It is important that victims file a lawsuit promptly, even though only a few cases make it to the courtroom. Memory fades, witnesses disappear and evidence may be lost in time and it becomes difficult to build a strong argument for the most compensation. Additionally, you must comply with the statute of limitations in your state, which can be anywhere from one to six years.