What Does an Auto Accident Attorney Do?

 What Does an Auto Accident Attorney Do?

As mentioned above, an experienced auto accident attorney handles personal injury claims every day and knows how to work with insurance companies to get you the best possible settlement offer. However, you may still be wondering what steps an auto accident attorney will take once you retain them to represent you. While every accident has a different set of circumstances, there are general procedures and litigation benchmarks you can expect from your litigation attorney.

What Does an Auto Accident Attorney Do

Gathering Evidence: After you retain your attorney, they will begin gathering all the evidence for your case. This includes details of the accident, your medical records and bills, police reports and witness statements. If the other party to the accident retains legal representation, your attorney will contact their attorney. Your attorney can revisit the accident scene and take photos of the scene for evidence. In some cases, your attorney may consult with experts who can provide more insight into your case.

Send a Demand Letter: Once your auto accident attorney has compiled all the evidence, they will create a demand letter and send it to the insurance company or the at-fault party's attorney. A demand letter is a professional document that outlines the facts of the case as well as the damages. First, your attorney will outline the economic damages you have suffered as a result of the accident. Economic loss refers to current and future medical expenses, damage to your property, lost wages and loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages refer to pain, suffering and emotional distress. Both are an important part of settlement negotiations. The demand letter will end with the settlement amount your attorney is requesting on your behalf. The insurance company may agree to the settlement, negotiate for a lower settlement amount, or reject the offer.

Filing a lawsuit: If your attorney and the insurance company can't agree on a settlement, your attorney will begin filing the paperwork necessary to take your case to trial.

Discovery: After a lawsuit is filed, both parties will enter into a period called discovery. During discovery, attorneys for both sides will share all documentation related to the accident to find evidence that supports their claims.

Trial: If your case does not settle during any of the above litigation steps, your attorney will go to trial and your settlement amount will be determined by a judge or jury. The stages of trial are the same for every case. First, attorneys will select a jury unless your case is decided by a judge. Once a jury is empaneled, each attorney will deliver an opening statement, followed by witness testimony, cross-examination, and finally, closing arguments. Then, the judge will instruct the jury on the applicable law and how they should determine their verdict. Finally, the jury will deliberate and return with a verdict.

Most car accident cases settle out of court, but that doesn't mean you should accept a lower settlement offer than you originally wanted. This is why you want an experienced auto accident attorney to represent you.

Negotiation is a special skill that many people lack. Ali Awad is a competent and fair negotiator, but he is not afraid to go to court to get the maximum settlement for his clients' injuries and damages.