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Are You Making The Most Of Your Auto Accident Law?
Phases of an Auto Accident Lawsuit

Damage to property, medical bills and lost wages may be substantial after an accident. An experienced attorney can assist you in obtaining the financial compensation you deserve.

The process varies depending on the case, but generally starts by filing a complaint. This is followed by the discovery phase and trial, as well as any appeals.

Medical Records

Medical records are a vital element in any auto accident case. They will assist the judge or jury to know how the injury had an impact on your life, including the physical, emotional and financial consequences of your injuries. Insurance companies will find it difficult to argue with the information provided by medical records.

You may only have a specific amount of time, based on the laws in your state and the guidelines of your physician, to obtain medical records. This is why you should consult with a lawyer as soon as you can after an accident. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA ensures that you have the right to access these records. However, this doesn't mean that only you or your lawyer will be able to view your medical records. Insurance companies will often try to find anything that might indicate that your injuries were not pre-existing or not so severe as you say.

Your lawyer will use your medical records in order to prepare a demand letters, which will include evidence to support the damages you're seeking. Your lawyer should only provide the relevant medical records to your insurance company. They may ask you to authorize them to access your complete medical record. This is not the best option for your claim because it could reveal previous injuries that are not connected to the claim.

Police Reports

Police reports are created each time a law enforcement officer responds to an emergency call or accident, such as car accidents. Although they're not admissible in court (they are deemed to be hearsay) They can provide important information to attorneys when investigating an accident and creating a case.

A police report is an objective report of what happened during the accident, based on witnesses' statements and observations regarding the damage to the vehicle the weather, the drivers, and so on. It's a vital evidence that can assist you in winning an auto accident lawsuit.

You can usually request a copy of the records from the precinct who handled the investigation. Call their non-emergency line and provide the receipt or incident number as proof of identification. The police department might also have a website on which you can request copies of the records online.

After your medical expenses as well as property damage and lost wages are at the amount of a certain amount, then you will need to bring a lawsuit against the driver who is at fault. The police report is an essential tool in settlement negotiations, especially when you can prove the other driver's fault based on observations made by the officer. Many cases are settled without having to go to trial. Pre-trial proceedings can be lengthy and your case may not be resolved until one year after you file it.

Insurance Company Negotiations

After the adjuster has all of the information he needs from you and your vehicle accident investigation, they'll make an offer to settle. In order to create their first offer, they'll input all the details and facts into the computer program. They will most likely arrive at a figure that's much lower than what you calculated based on your investigation. When insurance companies make settlement offers, they have their own financial interests in their minds.

They'll want to limit the amount they'll need pay for your medical bills and other damage. You are able to fight back if you explain the way your injuries will affect your life in the near future. For instance, you could you can highlight the mounting medical bills and the loss of earning potential, as well as the physical and mental suffering you're experiencing.


Your lawyer or attorney will then prepare a demand letter and send it to the insurance company. This letter should include all the evidence you've collected, including witnesses' statements and photographs of your injuries. Also, you'll make an outline of your non-negotiables, so you can prevent the insurance company from lowballing you. If an agreement is reached and ratified, it will be included in an agreement to settle in writing. Negotiations are usually back and forth process, but remaining patient will aid in achieving an equitable settlement.

Legal Advice

Discovery is the next phase of the lawsuit, during which the parties exchange information and evidence. Parties may seek medical records and police reports and witness statements. auto accident law firm stamford may also send any additional interrogatories (written questions that must be completed under oath at the expiration of a specific time). In addition the attorney will also document the extent of your physical emotional and psychological traumas and the additional damages you could seek compensation for such as current and anticipated future medical expenses, property damage and lost wages.

Your lawyer will also confer with experts, such as medical experts, mechanics and engineers. They will help paint a an accurate image of the accident and your injuries for the jury.

Your attorney will then begin negotiations with insurance companies in order to settle your case without a trial. If the insurance company does not provide you with a fair settlement or does not consider your injuries and other damages your case is likely to go to trial.

While only a few cases go to trial, it is crucial for victims to start a lawsuit as quickly as possible. As time passes, memories fade, witnesses pass away, and evidence disappears, making it more difficult to establish a solid claim for the highest amount of compensation. Additionally, you must comply with the statute of limitations in your state, which could be anywhere from one to six years.

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