Anatomy of a Car Accident Lawsuit Infographic
If you or a family member were seriously injured in a car accident, this infographic will help educate you as to the process of filing an injury lawsuit and the stages of a motor vehicle collision. Scroll down to view and download. You are welcome to use this infographic with a link back to this blog post.
Car Accident Lawsuit Timeline
Collect as Much Evidence as Possible
Take pictures and/or video of the damage to your property, of the victim’s injuries and street or traffic conditions from multiple angles and lighting if safe and possible, collect all parties contact & insurance information, try to make contact with potential witnesses and collect their information and document statements that other drivers make. Create a diary of your injuries, limitations, medical providers, and doctor visits.
Find an Attorney and Interview
Assess whether this is the right lawyer for you. Are they experienced, do they specialize in personal injury, have they handled a similar case, what are their results Etc.?
Pre-Litigation Settlement
Your attorneys will help you gather medical records and bills, document your loss of earnings, conduct investigation and communicate with the other side to advocate on your behalf and try to settle the case short of litigation.
File Suit
This involves the Complaint, Answers and other Motions your attorney will handle.
Discovery
Your attorney and the opposing lawyer will get all of the information about the incident to establish the facts of the case.
Motions to Dismiss
Even though opposing counsel will often attempt to get the case dismissed through legal maneuvering, an experienced car accident attorney will be able to anticipate these arguments, prepare a rebuttal and continue with the lawsuit to a successful conclusion.
Settlement or Trial
Most car accident cases settle out of court because the cost of litigation is very high, and many clients, insurance companies, and lawyers can come to an agreement with the terms of a settlement offer, if it’s fair. However, your attorney should have significant experience. Arguing a case in front of a judge and jury is very different than negotiating with an insurance claims attorney. Both can be extremely important to you.
Collecting your Award
If we settle out of court, you’ll be issued a check nearly immediately. If we win a judgment at trial, the burden to collect can take time and potentially be problematic. A judgment also opens the possibility of a delay of payment due to appeals. There are also other complicated issues at the end of a case to deal with such as liens, claims for reimbursement, and other paperwork that can cause delays. These possibilities should be discussed with the attorneys at Heiting & Irwin.
Contact the Experienced Car Accident Lawyers at Heiting & Irwin
Heiting & Irwin is a premier personal injury law firm which has served Northern, Central, and Southern California since 1976. Our car accident attorneys have handled cases for clients throughout the Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, Orange County and throughout California. We are highly respected amongst colleagues and peers and regularly receive referrals from other lawyers and judges. If you have been seriously injured in an motor vehicle collision, or if a family member was killed in a car, motorcycle or truck accident due to the negligence of another we urge you to call us today and talk to one of our experienced car accident attorneys. Call (951) 682-6400 now and let’s discuss your case. Serious help for the seriously injured.
Download Car Accident Lawsuit Infographic
