Understanding the Role of Injury Lawyers: A Complete Guide
July 30, 2024Should I consider specialising in personal injury law as a career?
July 30, 2024Fight for Justice: Your List of Expectations with Your Accident Lawyer During Legal Battles
Going through the legal processes after an accident feels overwhelming. You need to deal with an insurance company, a pile of medical bills to pay, and the injuries you have. Getting an accident lawyer will ease this burden and let you focus on the case.
Understanding the realistic expectations of what your lawyer can do for you will clear any doubts you may have as the case progresses. Here’s an overview of what you can expect:
Initial Consultation
During the initial meeting, you and your accident lawyer will discuss the accident’s details, such as the events leading to it, the injuries you sustained, and other relevant information. You will also include when the accident happened and what the accident scene was like when you were there.
- Information Gathering: You will provide your lawyer with details and documents about the accident, including a copy of the police report, medical records, photographs, and witness statements.
- Case Evaluation: Your lawyer will see if your case has a viable claim based on its merits.
- Fee Structure: Talk about the lawyer’s legal fees in the first meeting. This is typically on a contingency fee basis, which pays them if you win the case.
You may pay a consultation fee on the first visit, but some accident lawyers offer a free consultation to every client.
Investigation
They will thoroughly investigate your case after hiring an accident or personal injury lawyer. Investigations are important to build a strong claim to win your case.
Here are the usual steps they take:
- Gathering Evidence: In addition to the information you provided, lawyers will obtain other information, such as the available CCTV footage on the day of the accident.
- Interviewing Witnesses: They will find other witnesses to the accident and interview them to support your statements.
- Consulting Experts: Your car accident lawyer will consult experts, like medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists, to come up with more solid evidence for your case.
Filing the Claim
Your lawyer will file the claim now that your personal injury case has solid backing. This involves:
- Drafting the Complaint: Your car accident attorney will outline the accident’s details and the damages you seek in the complaint.
- Court Filing: The lawyer will file the complaint with the appropriate court, and the defendants will receive a copy.
- Waiting for Response: The defendants will respond to the complaint within a specific timeframe. They can either accept or dispute it.
Discovery Phase
In this crucial part of the legal process, both parties exchange information and evidence relevant to the case. Accident or personal injury lawyers will send written questions for the defendants to answer.
Both parties can also do depositions. This means witnesses and the parties involved give sworn testimony outside of court. Your lawyer can also ask for relevant documents from the defendants to get more evidence for the case.
Discussions on Negotiations and Settlement
You’ll have a shot at negotiating a fair settlement for your case before it goes to trial. Many cases are resolved at this point, and this is what you and your lawyer can do:
- Demand Letter: Your lawyer will give the defendants a demand letter explaining the damages you’re after and providing evidence supporting the claim.
- Negotiation: Both parties will negotiate for the settlement. Your lawyer will represent you to ensure you’ll get fair compensation after everything you went through.
- Settlement Agreement: Once you reach a settlement, the terms are documented in an agreement. The case is resolved without a trial.
Trial Preparations
If a settlement isn’t possible, the case goes to trial. This is where the legal counsel will work hard to present you in court. They can:
- Provide Legal Strategies: Your lawyer will develop a strategy that includes solutions for potential problems during the trial.
- Select Jury: Both parties will join in the jury selection process to ensure a fair jury before the trial.
The Trial
The lawyer will present your case to the jury in the trial. This legal process involves:
- Opening Statements: The opposing parties’ lawyers will present their opening statements and outline the case to the jury.
- Evidence Presentation: Each lawyer will show evidence, call witnesses, and cross-examine the defendants’ witnesses with questions related to the case.
- Closing Arguments: The lawyers will summarize the case with key evidence and testimony.
- Verdict: The verdict will be announced after the jury deliberates the case.
Post-Trial Proceedings
Additional steps will ensure you get compensation if you win your case. Your lawyer may try to appeal if you lose. They will present new arguments and evidence to win.
Work with a Reputable Law Firm for Your Legal Battles
Accident attorneys can assist you with the complications of the legal system to give you well-deserved justice. From the initial meeting to the post-trial steps, a lawyer’s advice can turn your life around for the better and support you in your case. Now that you understand what to expect from an experienced attorney, you can be confident to get a fair shot at winning your legal battle.
Choose a legal team with an excellent track record to help you with your accident case. They can provide comprehensive legal services from consultation to post-trial processes. They will assess your case without any impartiality and collaborate with you so you’re on the same page as you aim for a big win.