Phases of an auto accident law firm Accident Lawsuit

Damage to property, medical bills and lost wages could be significant after a car accident. An experienced lawyer can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.

The process may differ from case to case, but generally, it starts with the filing of the complaint. The discovery phase, trial and appeals follow.

Medical Records

Medical records are an essential element of any auto accident law firm accident case. They can assist jurors or judges to understand the impact of the accident on your life. This includes the financial, emotional, and physical costs. Medical records will also tell the story that insurance companies will have a hard time disputing.

Based on the laws of your state and your doctor’s guidelines depending on your state’s laws and your doctor’s policy, you could have only a short amount of time to request medical records from your healthcare provider. This is the reason you should contact your lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA guarantees your right to access these medical records. However, this doesn’t mean that only you or your lawyer are able to view your medical records. Insurance companies constantly look for evidence that might suggest your injuries might not be as severe as you claim or that you have a pre-existing condition.

Your lawyer will utilize your medical records to create a demand letter that will include evidence to support the damages you are seeking. Your lawyer should only give the relevant medical records to your insurance company. They might request you to allow them to access your complete medical record. This is not in your best interest since it could reveal previous injuries that aren’t directly related to the current claim.

Police Reports

Police reports are produced each time a law enforcement officer responds to an emergency or accident, such as car accidents. Although they aren’t admissible in a court of law (they are deemed to be hearsay) They are a valuable source of information for attorneys who are researching and preparing cases.

A police report provides an objective account of what happened in the accident, based on witnesses’ statements and observations about the vehicles’ damage and weather conditions, drivers, and so on. It is a crucial piece of evidence that could help you win an auto accident law firm accident lawsuit.

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 for identification. You can request copies of your police report through the website of the police department.

You’ll need to file a suit against the driver responsible after your medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage reach an amount. The police report can be an essential tool in settlement negotiations, especially when you can establish the other driver’s fault from the evidence provided by the officer. Many cases are settled without going to trial. The process of preparing for trial can be lengthy and your case may not be resolved until one year after you file it.

Insurance Company Negotiations

Once the adjuster has all of the information they require from you and your car accident investigation, he will make a settlement offer. In order to create their first offer, they’ll enter all the information and details into an online program. Most likely, they’ll arrive at a lower number than you calculated using your study. When insurance companies offer settlement offers, they’ve got their own financial interest in their minds.

They’ll seek to limit the amount they will have to pay for medical bills and other damages. You can counter by pointing out all the ways your injuries will affect your life going forward. For instance, you can highlight your growing medical bills, the loss of earning potential, and the physical and emotional suffering you’re experiencing.

Your lawyer or you then draft a demand letter and then present it to the insurer. This letter should include all of the evidence that you’ve gathered such as witnesses’ statements and photographs of your injuries. You’ll also make an outline of your non-negotiables so you can deter the insurance company from undercutting you. Once you have reached an agreement the agreement will be recorded in an agreement for settlement in writing. It’s common for a back-and-forth to occur during these negotiations, but remaining calm will allow you to reach an equitable settlement.

Legal Advice

Discovery is the next stage of the lawsuit, in which the parties exchange information and evidence. Parties can seek medical records and police reports, as well as witness statements. They can also send the other interrogatories (written questions that must be completed under oath at the end of a specified time). In addition, your attorney will document the extent of your physical emotional and psychological injuries and any other damages you may seek compensation for, including existing and projected future medical costs, property damage, and lost wages.

Your lawyer will consult with other experts, such as mechanics, medical experts, and engineers. These experts will help paint a an accurate image of your crash and your injuries for the jury.

Then, your lawyer will begin negotiations with insurance companies to try to settle your claim with out a trial. However, if the insurance company offers a low amount of money or does not take your injury and other damages into account your case is likely to be heard at trial.

While only a few cases go to trial, it is important for victims to begin a lawsuit as soon as is possible. As time passes memories fade, witnesses pass away and evidence is lost and makes it harder to make a strong claim to receive the maximum amount of compensation. You must also adhere to the statute of limitations for your state, which can vary from 1 to 6 year.