Personal Injury Matter – Process and Timeline to Compensation
There is never a good time to be involved in a car accident. This is especially true if the car accident resulted in injury. Luckily, an experienced attorney can help make this process much easier for you, so you can focus strictly on getting better.
Below is a summary of what to expect after a car accident and how a dedicated team of personal injury professionals can make the process easier for you:
1. REPORT A CLAIM
First, the accident must be reported to the insurance carriers for both parties involved. Once a claim is made, the insurance company will provide a “claim number.” The claim number is used to identify your matter all the way through to its conclusion. You should be aware that your insurance company may require a recorded statement. If it does, and you have retained counsel, we will be on the call with you. It is critically important to have an attorney present during the recorded statement. Even though it may be with your own insurance carrier, they may try to discount your case and ask you loaded questions. Insurance companies, even your own, are never your friends. Our experienced attorneys are not fooled by this conduct and will protect you.
2. CAR REPAIR
Our team will get your vehicle to an auto repair shop and fixed as soon as possible. We understand how important your car is for your life and are determined to get you safely back on the road and in the routine of your life.
3. MEDICAL TREATMENT
Every injury case will involve medical treatment to some extent. At LA Century Law, we have a network of doctors that are on-call to see you as soon as you have been injured. We will make sure that there is no delay in getting you started on the road to getting healthy. Even if you do not have health insurance, our network of doctors will work on “lien care”. This means they advance their services in exchange for a lien on your case. Instead of you getting treatment when you can afford it or having to get care at a later time, you get it when you need it.
4. SERVE DEMAND
Once you have concluded treatment, we will compile all medical records and evidence then deliver a demand to the party responsible for the collision. If the insurance carrier accepts our demand, we can settle the case and distribute you the funds you are entitled to. If they do not accept our demand or their counter-offer is too low, we will file a lawsuit to make sure you receive full compensation for your injuries.
5. FILE LAWSUIT
Litigation is a fancy word for the commencement of an action. During litigation each side will have an opportunity to conduct discovery. Discovery is a form of evidence collection. Discovery can be completed in the form of written questions to each side or an oral deposition where attorneys have an opportunity to ask questions to each party involved in the car accident.
6. MEDIATION
Generally, once discovery is concluded, the Court may require that the parties participate in mediation to attempt to resolve their dispute. Sometimes this works, sometimes it does not. If we are not able to agree to an amount for settlement at mediation, we will need to prepare for trial.
7. TRIAL
We will have a jury empaneled and argue our case in front of the Court. Once concluded, the jury will return verdict on what they believe you are entitled to for the injuries you have sustained.
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