What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?

As stated previously, an experienced vehicle accident attorney handles personal injury lawsuits on a daily basis and understands how to negotiate with insurance companies to obtain the best potential settlement offer. However, you may still be curious about the actions a car accident attorney will take once you have retained them. While every accident has its own unique set of facts, you can expect your attorney to follow certain protocols and litigation benchmarks.

• Collecting the Evidence:- After you have retained an attorney, he or she will begin gathering all of the pertinent evidence for your case. This includes your account of the accident, your medical records and bills, the police report, and statements from witnesses. If the other party involved in the accident has also obtained legal counsel, your attorney will initiate communication with their counsel. Your attorney may also return to the accident area and take photographs there as proof. In certain instances, your attorney may consult with specialists who can provide further insight into your situation.
• Send the Demand Letter -Once all of the evidence has been gathered, your auto accident attorney will create and send a demand letter to the insurance company or the at-fault party’s attorney. A demand letter is a formal document that details the case’s facts and monetary damages. Your attorney will first detail the economic damages you sustained as a result of the accident. Economic damages include current and future medical expenses, property damage, salary loss, and loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages refer to physical and mental distress. Both are essential components of settlement negotiations. The demand letter will conclude with the requested settlement amount from your attorney. The insurance company may accept the settlement, negotiate for a lower amount, or decline the offer.
  If your attorney and the insurance company are unable to reach a settlement, your attorney will file the necessary court documents to take your case to trial.
• Filing a Lawsuit:  both parties will undergo a period known as discovery. During discovery, attorneys from both sides will exchange all accident-related documents in an effort to find evidence to support their respective claims.
• The Trial: If your case is not settled during any of the preceding steps, your attorney will proceed to trial, where the judge or jury will determine the settlement amount. Each case undergoes the same trial phases. Unless your case is to be decided by a judge, attorneys will select a jury first. After the jury has been selected, each attorney will make an opening statement, followed by witness testimony, cross-examinations, and then closing arguments. Then, the judge will give instructions to the jury regarding applicable laws and how they should determine a verdict. Finally, the jury will deliberate and return with a verdict.
  Most car accident cases are settled outside of court, but that doesn’t mean that you should accept a lower settlement offer than you originally asked for. This is why you want an experienced auto accident attorney to represent you.

Negotiation is a particular skill that many people do not possess. Ali Awad is a competent and fair negotiator, but he isn’t afraid to go to court on behalf of his clients to get them the maximum settlement for their injuries and losses.