Did you know that there are over 5 million car accidents in the U.S. each year?
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be a stressful and confusing time. And dealing with filing a lawsuit can be even worse.
You’re probably wondering: how much will my car accident case cost? And how long will it take?
If you are wondering what happens during a car accident lawsuit, this short and simple guide is for you.
Initial Meeting
Before filing a lawsuit, you need to have an initial meeting with your auto accident lawyer.
During this meeting, you will discuss your case and how best to proceed. You can also ask questions that you may have about the process, or what to expect in the future.
If you are looking for a car accident attorney, you can get more information here.
Investigation
The next step is for your lawyer to investigate the car accident case.
They will request copies of police reports and witness statements from both sides. If there are any surveillance videos available, they will get those as well.
Sometimes, the plaintiff may be required to take a deposition in which they answer questions under oath about their injuries. This can be a stressful experience for many people.
However, it is an important part of the legal process that helps determine exactly how much money you should receive from the other party’s insurance company.
Demand Letter
If the plaintiff’s lawyer feels that they have enough evidence to prove their case, they will write a demand letter.
This is a letter that informs the other party you intend to sue them for damages. It also requires them to respond within a certain time.
If the other party does not respond or does not offer enough money to settle, you will be able to sue.
Filing the Lawsuit
Once your lawyer has written their demand letter, they will begin filing paperwork with the court. This includes a complaint, which outlines all the evidence that supports your claim.
It also includes an answer from the defendant’s insurance company or attorney denying responsibility for damages. Once this is done, both parties have entered litigation and must go through discovery to gather evidence for trial.
Motions and Pretrial Hearings
The next step is a series of motions and pretrial hearings. These are essentially mini-trials that take place before the actual court date.
The judge will hear arguments from both sides, usually with each party speaking on their behalf.
They may also call witnesses to testify on their behalf. After all the evidence has been presented, the judge will decide whether either side can prove their case using the evidence available.
Trial
Finally, the case comes to trial.
The judge will hear arguments from both sides. Then decide whether to award damages based on the evidence presented.
This Is How the Car Accident Lawsuit Process Works
A car accident lawsuit can be a long and difficult process, especially if you’re in the middle of it. The best thing to do is hire an experienced attorney who knows how to handle personal injury cases like this one.
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