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Phases of an Auto Accident Lawsuit Medical bills property damage and lost wages may be significant following an accident in the car A knowledgeable attorney can assist you in obtaining the financial amount of compensation you deserve auto accident attorneys shreveport varies depending on the case but generally it begins with filing a complaint The discovery phase trial and appeals follow Medical Records Medical records are an important element in any auto accident lawsuit They can help jurors or judges to comprehend the impact of the injury on your life This includes the emotional financial physical and emotional expenses Insurance companies will be unable to challenge the narrative told by medical records Depending on your states laws and the policies of your doctor depending on your states laws and your doctors policy you could have limited time to request medical records from your healthcare provider This is the reason why you should consult with a lawyer whenever you can after an accident The law provides access to these records with the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA However this does not mean that only you or your attorney can access your medical records Insurance companies are often keen to look for anything that could indicate that your injuries were not preexisting or not so severe as you say Your lawyer will make use of the medical records you provide to prepare a letter of demand that will include evidence supporting the damages you want It is imperative that your lawyer only provides relevant medical documents to the insurance company as they may request you to sign a medical authorization that permits them to access all of your medical records This is not in your best interests since it could reveal previous injuries that arent related to the present claim Police Reports Every time a police officer responds to a request for assistance or an accident he or she produces a report While theyre not admissible in court they are deemed to be hearsay however they provide invaluable information to attorneys investigating an accident and preparing an argument A police report provides an objective account of what transpired in the crash based on witness statements and observations regarding the damage to the vehicle weather conditions drivers and more It is a significant evidence piece that can help you win your car accident lawsuit against the defendant Typically you can request a copy of your police report from the precinct that handled the investigation by calling their emergency number and supplying a receipt or incident number to identify the report The police department might also have a website on which you can request copies online After your medical expenses and property damage as well as lost wages reach an amount you can afford you will need to file a lawsuit against the driver who is at fault The police report can be an essential tool in settlement negotiations particularly when you can prove the other drivers guilt based on observations made by the officer Many cases are settled without going to trial It could take a long time to go through the pretrial steps and your case could not be resolved for a long time Insurance Company Negotiations When the adjuster has all the information they require from you and your vehicle accident investigation he will make an offer for settlement To make their first offer theyll input all the information and details into a computer program Theyll likely arrive at a figure thats much lower than what you calculated based on your research When insurance companies make settlement offers they have their own financial interest in mind They will seek to limit the amount they are required to pay for medical bills and other damages You can fight back by highlighting all the ways your injuries could affect your life in the future For example you can draw attention to your increasing medical bills the loss of earning capacity and the emotional and physical suffering youre experiencing Your attorney or you will then prepare the letter of demand and submit it to an insurer This should include all the evidence you have gathered including witness statements photos of your injuries and any documents supporting your losses Additionally you should create a list of the nonnegotiables that will stop the insurance company from undervaluing your claim If an agreement is reached and ratified it will be included in the form of a written settlement agreement Its normal for a back and forth to occur during the negotiation process but remaining in the moment will help you get a fair settlement Legal Advice The next stage in the car lawsuit involving an accident is discovery During this process both parties exchange information and evidence Parties can request medical records police reports as well as witness statements The parties can also exchange interrogatories which are written questions that have to be answered under oath within a certain time Additionally your attorney will document the extent of your physical emotional and mental injuries as well as the other damages you could seek to compensate for such as current and anticipated future medical costs property damage and lost wages Your lawyer will speak with other experts including mechanics medical specialists and engineers These experts will aid in painting a an appealing picture of the crash and your injuries for the jury Your lawyer will begin negotiations with insurance companies in order to try to settle your claim without trial If the insurance company doesnt offer a fair settlement or does not take into account your injuries and other damages your case will likely go to trial While a small number of cases do make it to trial it is crucial for victims to start a lawsuit as quickly as is possible Memories fade witnesses can disappear and evidence may be lost over time and it becomes difficult to build a strong argument for the most compensation In addition you must abide with the statute of limitations in your state which can be anywhere from one to six years