The Intake Process for Car Accident Litigation

A lawyer who specializes in litigation involving car accidents can assist you in determining how strong your case is and how the settlement might be worth. This is only possible when all the information you require is available.

The initial step in a car crash lawsuit is called discovery. In this phase, attorneys and their teams exchange documents and ask each other questions under the oath.

Documentation

Documentation is an integral aspect of the investigation in an auto accidents accident. This could include evidence such photos, medical records or witness statements. Generally, the more documentation you have to back your claim the more convincing your case will be.

The first piece of documentation you should have is a police report. Typically, the police officer who arrives at the scene of the crash will prepare reports, and these will provide crucial information on how the accident occurred and who was at fault for the incident.

If required, your attorney can use the police report to gather additional evidence. If the incident occurred at the business environment for instance, an employee may have recorded video footage. If this is the case, the tape should be requested from the company as soon as possible.

You should also record any expenses you incurred due to the accident. This could include medical bills as well as records of your treatment, receipts from medication rental car expenses, in-home assistance or care as well as transportation costs. In addition, you should note any income loss due to your accident. This could include old pay slips and tax returns.

If you are able to, request the names of witnesses to the incident as well. They might be able to provide important details, especially if can get them to give evidence in court. However, it's important to remember that witnesses can alter their stories over time and forget details of the incident.

Intake and Investigation

The intake process is critical to obtaining an adequate amount of compensation for your injuries from an accident regardless of whether you've filed a claim with an insurance company or are suing the party at fault. Your attorney will begin by reviewing your medical records, obtaining copies of accident reports, as well as other evidence. They will also go to and document the accident scene.

This information will enable them to understand the extent of injuries you have suffered as well as the cost and projections for your emotional or physical suffering. They will also review your financial losses to estimate the value of your case. Your damages can include not only your present and future medical expenses but also income loss and property damage.

Your lawyer will also investigate the incident, including interviewing witnesses and analyzing any available evidence. They will also obtain the driving and cell phone records of the at-fault drivers to see how they used their vehicle at the time. This is especially important if there was a collision involving an Uber or Lyft car or any other evidence that suggests the driver was working aroun disputes outside of court. Our team can assist you negotiate with the insurance company of the other driver or directly with the party at fault. If no agreement can be reached, our lawyers will file a lawsuit against the defendant. The Complaint will detail your assertions and allegations regarding the cause of the crash and why you are entitled to compensation. The defendant is served the Complaint, and given a certain time frame to respond.

The discovery phase is the time when our lawyers and the defendant begin to exchange documents and other material in exchange for questions through interrogatories or depositions. Our team will inquire to the lawyer representing the defendant about their perspective on the events, including the injuries you've suffered and how they believe it happened. We will also search for expert opinions to support our assertions.

During the discovery phase, your lawyer could make legal documents known as motions in court to be decided by the judge. This could include requests for the court's decision to exclude certain evidence or to set a trial date. It can take a whole year or more to complete the discovery process and set an appointment date for your case. It is essential to speak with an experienced Long Island auto accident attorney early in the process.