The 10 Most Dismal Auto Accident Claim Mistakes Of All Time Could Have Been Prevented The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer who specializes in the field of car accident litigation can help you determine how solid your case is, and how the settlement you receive could be worth. This is only possible if all the information you require is available.

Discovery is the first step of an auto accident case. During this stage, attorneys and their teams will exchange documents and discuss questions under an oath.

Documentation

The majority of the work involved in a car wreck investigation is gathering evidence. This may include evidence like photographs, medical records, or witness statements. Generally speaking, the more evidence you can provide to support your claim the stronger your case will be.

A law enforcement report is the very first document you need. Typically the police officer that comes to the scene of the accident will draft a report, and this will contain important information about the circumstances of the crash and who was responsible for the incident.

If necessary your lawyer has the option of using the police report to gather additional evidence. For instance, if the incident occurred at a company or office, an employee working at the area may have recorded video footage of the incident. If this is the case, you must request a copy from the company.

Record any expenses you have incurred as a result of the accident. Document any expenses you incurred due to. This could include medical bills and records of your treatment, receipts for medications rental car expenses, in-home care or assistance, transportation costs, and much more. In addition, you should keep track of any income loss because of your accident. You can utilize old tax returns and pay stubs.

It is also advisable to obtain the names of witnesses. They might be able to provide important information, particularly if you are able to get them to testify in court. It's important to keep in mind that witnesses may change their stories and forget details about the incident as time passes.

Intake and Investigation

Whether you have filed an insurance company or are starting an action against an at-fault driver, the intake process is essential for obtaining full and fair compensation for the injuries you sustained in a crash. Your attorney will begin by examining your medical records, obtaining copies of accident reports, as well as other evidence. They will also visit and document the scene of the accident.

This information will allow them to determine the extent of your injuries both in terms of future and projected costs for your physical and emotional suffering. Then, they will review your current and future financial losses in order to estimate the value of your case. Damages could include not only your present and future medical costs but also income loss and property damage.

Your lawyer will also investigate by interviewing witnesses and reviewing all available evidence. They will also gather the driver at fault's driving and phone records to determine the way they used their vehicle at the time of the collision. This is especially important in the event that there was a collision with an Uber or Lyft car or any other evidence that suggests the driver worked while on the clock.

Additionally, your attorney will likely ask questions about the defendant's previous criminal and traffic convictions during the discovery process. In general, these information are not admissible in court but they could be helpful to discredit the credibility of the defendant during cross-examination.

The process of negotiating a settlement

After you have received your medical records, you are able to begin negotiations for settlement. The insurance company may make an initial offer that is much less than the amount you demanded in your letter. This is a method to determine the strength of your case. In the counteroffer, it's crucial to emphasize the most important arguments you have in your favor - for example, that the insured was fully at the fault and that you sustained serious injuries that resulted in high medical costs. In the end, negotiations back and forth should result in an amount that is both reasonable and fair.


A skilled attorney for accidents can effectively argue for the merits of your claim including presenting evidence supporting your losses. This could include photos of the car damage, police reports or witness testimony. We are able to calculate various elements of your claim, such as loss of income or pain and suffering, as well as police report.

If the insurance company is unwilling to pay an amount that is reasonable at this point, we could bring a lawsuit. A trial typically lasts up to two days and is usually ruled by an individual judge (called a bench trial) or by a jury. If your case settles prior to reaching this stage, the process can take months. Your attorney might also be able to file a summary motion to dismiss. This involves arguing that all evidence is in your favour, and arguing that it's impossible to allow the opposition to prevail.

Filing an action

In a majority of car accident cases parties can settle their dispute out of court. Our team will help you negotiate with the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident or directly with the driver who was at fault. However, if an agreement is not reached Our lawyers will initiate an action against the defendant. The Complaint will list your claims and allegations regarding how the crash occurred and the reasons you are entitled to compensation. The defendant will be served with the Complaint and given a particular period of time to respond to it.

The discovery stage is when our attorneys and the defendant begin to exchange documents and other materials in exchange for questions through interrogatories or depositions. Our team will ask the defendant's attorney questions regarding their interpretation of events, focusing on what they believe happened during the crash, as well as how they think it occurred and the injuries you've suffered. We will also seek expert opinions that support our position.

During auto accident attorney bethlehem may make legal motions to the court to a judge's decision on. These could include requests to the court to block certain evidence or set the date for a trial. It could take a full year or more to complete the discovery process and set an appointment date for your case. This is why it's important to consult with a seasoned Long Island car accident attorney early on in the process.