Phases of an Auto Accident Lawsuit

Car accident injuries can result in significant medical bills, property damage, and even lost wages. An experienced lawyer can assist you in receiving the compensation you deserve.

The process is different from case to case but generally, it begins with filing an action. Then comes the discovery phase along with any appeals.

Medical Records

Medical records are an important component of any lebanon auto accident Law firm accident lawsuit. They can help jurors or judges know how the injury affected your life, as well as the physical, emotional and financial costs of your injuries. Insurance companies will have a hard time to dispute the story told by medical records.

You may only have a specific amount of time, contingent on the laws in your state and the policy of your doctor, to obtain medical records. This is why you should consult with a lawyer immediately after an accident. The law provides access to these documents through the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). However, this doesn't mean that only you or your lawyer can examine your medical records. Insurance companies are always looking for evidence that suggests your injuries might not be as severe as you think or that you have a pre-existing condition.

Your lawyer will make use of the medical records you provide to draft a letter of demand that will include evidence supporting the damages you're seeking. It is imperative to ensure that your lawyer provides relevant medical records to the insurance company since they might ask you to sign an authorization that allows them to access all of your medical records. This is not in your best interest since it could expose past injuries that aren't related to the current claim.

Reports of Police

Each time a police officer responds to a call for help, including an accident, he produces a report. Although they cannot be admitted in the courts of law (they are deemed to be hearsay), they provide valuable information for attorneys who are investigating and preparing cases.

A police report is an objective report of what happened during the accident, based on witnesses' testimonies and the officer's observations regarding the damage to the vehicles and weather conditions, drivers, and so on. It is a crucial piece of evidence that can aid you in winning an international falls auto accident law firm accident lawsuit.

You can typically request a copy of the records from the precinct responsible for the investigation. Call their emergency line and provide an original receipt or an incident number for identification. You can request copies of the report on the police department's website.

You'll have to file a lawsuit against the person who caused the accident when your medical bills as well as lost wages and property damage reach a certain value. The police report is an important tool in settlement negotiations, especially when you can establish the other driver's negligence from the evidence provided by the officer. But, many cases settle a settlement without ever going to trial. It can take time to go through the pre-trial process and your case could not be resolved for a year or more.

Insurance Company Negotiations

Once an adjuster has all the data they require from you, and the investigation into the car accident is complete, they will offer a settlement offer. They will put all the information and facts into a computer program in order to create their initial offer. Most likely, they will produce a significantly smaller number than what you estimated from your investigation. When insurance companies make settlement offers, they've got their own financial interest in their minds.

They will seek to limit the amount they have to pay in medical bills and other damages. You can counter by pointing out the many ways that your injuries could affect your life in the near future. For instance, you could highlight your growing medical bills and lost earnings potential, as well in the mental and physical suffering you are experiencing.

Your attorney or you will then draft an official demand letter and then present it to an insurance company. This will include all the evidence you've collected including statements from witnesses, photographs of your injuries, as well as documentation supporting your losses. You should also create an inventory of the items you cannot negotiate, so you can deter the insurance company from lowballing you. After an agreement has been reached and the written settlement contract will reflect it. Negotiations are usually back and forth affair, but staying patient will aid in achieving an equitable settlement.

Legal Advice

The next stage of the car lawsuit involving an accident is discovery, where both sides exchange information as well as evidence. Parties can require medical records or police reports, as well as witness statements. They may also send any additional interrogatories (written questions to be answered under oath by the expiration of a specific time). In addition, your attorney will document the extent of your physical emotional and psychological traumas as well as the other damages you could be seeking to recover that are incurred, such as future medical expenses, property damage and lost wages.

Your lawyer will confer with other experts, including medical specialists, mechanics and engineers. These experts will aid in painting a a vivid image of your crash and the injuries you sustained for the jury.

Your lawyer will then start negotiations with insurance companies in order to resolve your case without trial. If the insurance company is willing to offer you a small settlement or fails to take your injuries and other damages into account your case is likely to proceed to trial.

While a small number of cases do get to trial, it is important for victims to begin a lawsuit as soon as possible. With time memories fade, witnesses pass away and evidence is lost which makes it more difficult to establish a solid claim for the most compensation. Plus, you must comply with the statute of limitations in your state, which could range from 1 to 6 years.