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How to Build a Strong Auto Accident Case In many car accident cases, there are multiple parties involved. A jury may decide to apportion damages between different defendants. Your lawyer will ask for financial documents, question witnesses, obtain records from medical professionals and experts, take your deposition, and so on. The discovery process can take anywhere from between a few months and a year. Trials can last from a few hours or even decades, and appeals can add months or even years to the duration of the case. Gathering Evidence One of the most crucial steps in a car accident investigation is gathering evidence. This can include witness testimony physical proof of damage medical records, as well as financial documents for the losses you've suffered. Photographic evidence of the scene of the accident is vital. Weather, skid marks damages to both cars and the location of the vehicles could be all factors in determining the cause of the accident and determining who is at fault. The black box information of the vehicle of the other driver could be very helpful in determining the speed of the vehicle and whether brakes were working or off at the time the accident occurred. It is best to gather information from witnesses at the scene of the accident, while it is fresh in their minds. This includes those who were driving, jogging on sidewalks, or even inside businesses and restaurants that witnessed the incident. The idea of having witnesses record their testimony on video is also a great idea. A police report is a key piece of evidence to have for a car accident claim or lawsuit. It will contain important details about the accident such as the names and telephone numbers of the parties involved, along with the insurance policy details. It will also include an officer's assessment of the circumstances of the accident and who was the culprit. Get Medical Attention Getting medical treatment is the top priority in any car accident. It is essential to see the doctor for an examination and get treatment. Document your treatment to prove that you were injured. This will also help avoid insurance companies claiming that you weren't injured in the accident. Depending on the severity of the injuries, you may be required to visit the emergency room. auto accident attorney chicago is especially important for serious injuries like head injury or spinal cord damage which could be life-threatening. You can also seek treatment with your primary care physician for non-serious injury. PCPs tend to be more likely to provide treatment to car accident victims. You can visit an urgent care center in the event that your physician won't be treating you. They often have longer clinic hours and are able to accept walk-in patients. They are also more lenient in the way they bill for services associated with a car accident than many PCPs. In some instances, a doctor will need to refer you to a specialist for surgery or to help manage your condition. This is a great way to speed up your treatment and increase the chance of receiving an appropriate and fair amount of compensation. If a doctor attempts to get money from you immediately, tell them you are seeking treatment for an accident and you'll pay their bill at a later date, based on the settlement you'll receive. Contacting an attorney You should contact a professional lawyer for your car accident as soon as you can after the accident. The earlier you have an attorney on your case and the more evidence they'll be able to gather and the more convincing your case will be. The first step your lawyer will take is requesting access to your medical records and other documents related to the accident. This will enable them to paint vivid pictures of your injuries as well as the impact that your accidents have had on your. Your attorney will also look into the incident thoroughly. This may involve visiting the scene and speaking with police and conducting interviews. This can also involve consulting with experts such as medical specialists or mechanics. A lawyer will also help you understand how insurance companies determine the amount they will cover for your discomfort and pain. It can be hard to put a dollar amount on these non-economic damages. This is especially the case when the injuries are not immediately apparent due to adrenaline or may take days or weeks to show up. In addition, your lawyer will help you deal with the insurance of the driver who is at fault and property damage, as well as examinations or statements, preserving evidence as well as determining the liability, making calculations of damages, case evaluation and settlement valuation, maximizing your settlement recovery, reviewing legal and correspondence documents, and drafting releases. Having an attorney to handle the many complicated aspects of your car accident will save you time, money and stress. A skilled attorney will prevent you from making common mistakes that can hurt your claim. Filing an action It makes sense to seek compensation for medical expenses, repairs to vehicles and loss of income if a third person's negligence led to a car accident in which you were injured. If an insurance company is unwilling to provide a fair settlement then you can file a lawsuit in court seeking damages. The filing of lawsuits is a process called civil litigation, and the specific rules of each state differ. A typical lawsuit starts with the plaintiff submitting a complaint to court, which is handed over to the defendant. The complaint lists all the legal reasons you have a right to compensation and your right to damages. The defendant responds plaintiff's assertions in a document known as an answer. The defendant denies or admits every allegation in the complaint. It also identifies any legal defenses to the case. The next step is the discovery process. During discovery, you are able to seek out documents and information to be provided by the attorney of the defendant and witnesses via written questions, also known as interrogatories or through depositions, which are oral interviews. Depositions are typically used to collect the evidence of witnesses or police officers who inspected the accident, and medical professionals who treated you for injuries. The information that is gathered during discovery helps your lawyer build a strong case on your behalf in order to obtain an appropriate amount of compensation for your car accident injuries.