How to Build a Strong Auto Accident Case Car accidents typically involve multiple parties A jury may decide to apportion damages between different defendants Your attorney will request financial documents, question witnesses, collect documents from medical professionals as well as experts, take your deposition, and much more The process of discovery can run from up to one year Trials can last for a few hours, or even years Appeals can add months or even years to a case Gathering Evidence One of the most crucial steps in a car accident investigation is gathering evidence This evidence can include witness testimony, physical evidence of the damage medical records, as well as financial documents for your losses The scene of the incident must be photographed Skid marks or weather conditions, the damage to both vehicles as well as the position of the vehicles can all play a part in determining the cause of the accident and who was at fault https//vimeocom/706723817 of the other driver's vehicle can be very useful in determining the speed as well as whether the brakes were in use or off at the time the accident took place It is recommended to gather witness information on the scene of the crash when it is still fresh in their mind This includes people who were driving around the vicinity, people walking on the sidewalks and even those who were in nearby businesses or restaurants that witnessed the accident It is also an excellent idea to ask witnesses to record their remarks on video A police report is a important piece of evidence to include in a car accident claim or lawsuit It usually contains vital details about the accident, such as the names of everyone involved along with their phone numbers as well as information about the insurance policy The report will also include the officer's opinion on how the accident happened and who is at fault Receiving Medical Attention In any car accident, obtaining medical attention is your first priority You must visit a doctor for an exam and then receive treatment You must also document your treatment to prove you were injured This will also help you avoid insurance companies who try to claim that you were not injured in the crash You may require a visit to the emergency room based on the severity and type of injury This is important, especially in the case of serious injuries, such as injuries to the spine or head which could be fatal Your primary medical doctor PCP could be an excellent option for treating minor injuries In general, PCPs tend to refuse treatment for auto accident victims than in the past If you have a doctor who won't treat you, try going to an urgent care clinic These clinics often have extended hours and take walk-ins They also are more flexible in the way they bill for medical treatments that are related to car accidents than many PCPs In some instances the doctor may recommend you to a specialist to treat or treat your health condition This is an excellent way to improve your treatment timeline and your chance of recovering full and fair compensation If a doctor tries to collect money immediately inform them that you are seeking treatment because of an accident and that you'll settle the bill later out of your eventual settlement Contacting an attorney It is recommended to hire a car accident attorney as soon as you can after the accident The sooner an attorney is hired to work on your case, they will be able to gather more evidence and help you strengthen your case Your lawyer will first request access to your medical records as well as other documents related to the accident This will allow them to paint a an impressive image of your injuries and the impact your accidents have affected your life Your lawyer will also investigate the incident in depth This could include visiting the scene, speaking with police, and conducting interviews It may also involve consultation with experts, such as mechanics or medical experts A lawyer can also help you understand how insurance companies determine the amount of money they will cover for your pain and discomfort It can be difficult to put a dollar value on these noneconomic damages in particular when your injuries are not immediately apparent because of adrenaline or they take days or even weeks to heal, such as back or neck sprains, or concussions Your lawyer can also assist you with the insurance of the driver who was at fault damages to property, statements, or examinations preservation of evidence, determining liability in calculating damages, cases evaluation, maximizing your settlement recovery, examining legal documents and letters and drafting release forms A lawyer who can handle the many complexities of your car accident will save you time and money, as well as stress A skilled attorney will prevent you from making the same mistakes that could damage your claim Filing an action It makes sense to seek compensation for medical expenses, vehicle repair costs and loss of income if a third party's negligence caused an accident that caused you were injured If an insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement you can sue in court for damages Civil litigation is the method that allows lawsuits to be filed The rules vary from state to state However, a typical suit begins with the plaintiff filing a lawsuit in court, which is then served to the responsible party defendant The complaint provides all the legal reasons you have a right to compensation and your rights to damages The defendant addresses the plaintiff's assertions in a document known as an answer The defendant denies or admits every allegation made in the complaint In addition, it identifies any legal defenses to the case The next step is discovery In the discovery process, you can seek out documents and information to be provided by the attorney for the defendant and witnesses via written questions referred to as interrogatories They can also be obtained through depositions, which are oral interviews Depositions are typically used to get the testimony of eyewitnesses as well as police officers who investigated the crash, and medical professionals who treated you for injuries The information that is gathered during discovery will help your attorney build an argument on your behalf to recover an appropriate amount of compensation for your car accident injuries