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Phases of an Auto Accident LawsuitProperty damage, medical bills and lost wages can be substantial following an accident in the car. A knowledgeable attorney can assist you in receiving the justice you deserve.The process can vary from case to case, but generally, it starts with the filing of a complaint. Then comes the discovery phase trial, and any appeals.Medical RecordsMedical records are an important element of any auto accident lawsuit. They can help jurors or judges know the effects of the accident on your life. This includes the financial, emotional, and physical costs. Medical records will also provide an insurance company a story they will have a hard to dispute.You might only have a particular amount of time, based on the laws in your state and the policy of your doctor, to request medical records. You should speak with your lawyer as soon after an accident as possible. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) HIPAA is a law that protects your right to access these documents. However, this doesn’t mean that only you or your attorney can examine your medical records. Insurance companies are always looking for anything that might suggest your injuries might not be as severe as you think or that you have a pre-existing condition.Your lawyer will use your medical records to create a demand letter that will include evidence to justify the damages you’re seeking. Your lawyer should only supply the relevant medical records to your insurance company. They may require you to give them permission to access your entire medical record. This is not in your best interest since it could expose past injuries that aren’t related to the present claim.Reports of the PolicePolice reports are produced each time a police officer responds to an emergency and also car accidents. While they cannot be used in a court of law (they are deemed to be hearsay) They are a valuable source of information to attorneys in the process of conducting investigations and preparing cases.A police report is an objective assessment of what transpired in the crash, based on witness testimonies and the officer’s observations regarding the damage to the vehicles and weather conditions, drivers and more. It’s an important piece of evidence that can aid you in winning a lawsuit for car accidents.You can typically request a copy from the police precinct that handled the investigation. Call their emergency line and provide a receipt or an incident number to prove your identity. The police department might have a website on which you can request copies of records online.You will need to file a suit against the driver responsible after your medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage have reached a certain value. The police report can be an effective tool in settlement negotiations, especially in cases where you can show that the other driver was largely at fault based on the officer’s observations. A lot of cases are settled without going to trial. Pre-trial proceedings can take a long time and your case might not be resolved until one year after filing it.Insurance Company NegotiationsOnce an adjuster has all of the information they require from you, and the investigation into the car accident They will then extend a settlement offer. To create their initial offer, they’ll input all the information and details into an online program. Most likely, they’ll produce a significantly smaller amount than you anticipated in your study. It’s important to keep in mind that insurance companies have their own financial interests in mind when deciding on settlement offers.They’ll want to limit the amount they’ll have to pay for your medical expenses and other damage. You can fight back when you highlight the negative effects your injuries could have on you and affect your life in future. For example, you can highlight your growing medical bills, your diminished earnings capacity and the physical and emotional suffering that you’re currently experiencing.Your lawyer or attorney will then draft a demand letter and submit it to the insurer. The letter should include all of the evidence that you’ve collected, including witness statements and photos of your injuries. You will also create an inventory of non-negotiables in order to keep the insurance company from undervaluing your claim. Once an agreement is reached it will be documented in an agreement to settle in writing. It’s normal for a back-andforth to occur during the negotiation process, but remaining patient will help you reach an acceptable settlement.Legal AdviceThe next step in a car lawsuit involving an accident is discovery, during which the parties exchange information and evidence. Parties may require medical records or police reports, and witness statements. They may also send any additional interrogatories (written questions that have to be answered under oath by the end of the specified time). Your attorney will also record the severity of physical psychological, emotional, and physical traumas you’ve suffered and any other damages which could be sought, such as the current and anticipated medical expenses as well as property damage and lost wages.Your lawyer will also consult with experts, such as medical experts, mechanics and engineers. These experts can assist the jury to get a clear picture of your injuries and the accident.Your attorney will then begin negotiations with the insurance companies to resolve your case without trial. If auto accident attorney tacoma is willing to offer you a small settlement or does not take your injury and other damages into consideration the case will be heard at trial.Although a small percentage of cases make it to trial, it is vital for the victims to start a lawsuit as quickly as is possible. The memories fade, witnesses die and evidence can disappear as time passes and make it difficult to make a strong case to get the maximum amount of compensation. It is also important to adhere to the statute of limitations for your state which can range between 1 and 6 years.