Proof: What evidence do you have to prove your
sideBut in many circumstances, personal injury cases do proceed to trial. Cases trials must be scheduled for dates in the future, often weeks or months in advance. Again, depending on the case’s complexity, a personal injury trial may last for a single day or, more commonly, several weeks. Furthermore, a personal injury case must match up with a judge’s schedule. During the trial, your personal injury attorneys will present evidence in favor of your side of things and try to prove negligence on behalf of the at-fault party. If successful, the at-fault party will be required (either personally or through their insurance policy) to foot certain bills or provide certain damages.
The attorneys for both sides typically try to reach a settlement before a case goes to trial. In a settlement, the defendant agrees to pay compensation, and the plaintiff agrees to release the defendant from liability. The negotiation process starts with the plaintiff making a demand for compensation. The defendant replies with an offer. The parties may go back-and-forth several times. In many cases, the parties bring in a mediator. The mediator’s role is to get the parties to reach an agreement. Attorney david e. Gordon formerly worked as an insurance defense lawyer, which gives him a strong understanding of how insurers approach settlement negotiations.
Not every case warrants the involvement of an attorney. At brown & crouppen law firm, the very first step is understanding your circumstances and gathering facts about your accident. This is accomplished during your free consultation, which can be completed via in-person meeting, phone call, text message, filling out the free case review form, or using our online chat. If your case would benefit from the involvement of an attorney, we provide you with information about how an attorney can help, including the proper gathering of evidence, documentation, and handling of a claim. If after your initial consultation an attorney finds your legal situation complicated enough to warrant legal representation, the next step is signing a contract, which officially creates the attorney-client relationship and documents your agreement to have the attorney represent you.
It happens in the blink of an eye. You’re going about life as usual, and then next thing you know an accident happens and you’ve been hurt. Sudden injuries can turn your world upside down physically, emotionally, and especially financially if you can’t work or find your self stuck with massive medical and property repair bills. Personal injury claims in california are designed to help you recover much needed compensation to handle your bills, care for your self, and make up for the suffering you endured; they can put your world back together when it’s fallen apart. Understanding the personal injury process will help you understand the timeline, the steps, and, most importantly, what you can do to help a california personal injury attorney maximize the chance of success for your claim.