Accidents are never predictable. These happen suddenly, unknowingly, and without giving us much time to think about it. The fact is, whenever we read the news about an accident or a mishap, we never believe that it would happen to us. It may seem because we may be in a state of denial, or we may feel overprotected. Or, we may think that we are already equipped with the necessary gear to avert an accident. But, it always comes as a surprise.
An accident is always tragic and gives us something to ponder upon for the rest of our lives. It means that none of us can avoid an inevitable mishap regardless of how good the system is or how civilized the people are. In our capacity, we may try never to break any laws or violate any regulations that may lead to such an incident. But, even if you demonstrate care, there is always a possibility from the other side to cause damage.
Take, for example, a road accident. If we think about it, it is an open place with the vehicles speeding and rushing to reach their place of destination. That’s why it is called inevitable. So, the question here is, how can one protect himself or herself from a mishap? Well, you can always be carrying insurance and be up to date. But, a powerful way to remain protected is by being mentally prepared for the inevitable.
It means that you should know the legal steps to take if, God forbid, you get embroiled in an accident. The following assistance will not just help you with that but also enable you to help a friend or loved one in case of a mishap. So, let’s review the steps.
- CONSULTING YOUR ATTORNEY
The oft-quoted phrase “I’ll call my lawyer” seems to hold importance here. Whenever you meet a car accident, the first thing you need to do is to call up the person who would assist you out of the trouble and come up with a way to resolve it. Expert services are always available in major cities, and you can easily find a professional to get a contract signed. Let’s say that you live in Colorado; then, you can reach out to a personal injury law firm in the Denver area to get the issue redressed. Be aware, however, that you should carefully follow referrals or personal recommendations to reach the right person.
- INVESTIGATION OF THE CASE
The second obvious step is to determine the exact cause of the accident and other underlying details that can help with the case. Your counsel will work independently and proactively to take the claim forward and work through police reports, accounts of the two sides, and study the testimonies. The learned counsel will make sure that they have all the data required to investigate the case, such as police reports, photographs, medical bills, and other crucial records. They will collaborate with other experts to make sure the case has no loopholes. They will keep you up to date about the ongoing developments and provide expert assistance.
- CRAFTING DEMANDING PACKAGE
The next step in the case is to craft an excellent document, demanding the compensation package. We used the word craft here because it needs to be a very carefully written piece, detailing out all that’s necessary to secure compensation. It will include all the liabilities and damages, such as the injuries, loss of life’s enjoyment, and the pain suffered during the incident. It tends to base on this demand that the other side may accept or reject it, so the lawyer needs to put special effort into it. Incompetent lawyers, of course, should be avoided at all costs. If it is compelling, then they may accept it or make a counter effort, such as suggesting a few amendments to suit both sides.
- FILING THE LAWSUIT
When involved in an accident, both sides are savvy of the legal complications that may enter the case. So, they make immense efforts to settle the case out of the court, so to say. But, the world doesn’t revolve around wishes, and thus, things do get complicated sometimes. When the two sides cannot potentially agree on the paper at hand, then they proceed to the next step, which is to go to a court, thus settling the issue.
- GOING FOR MEDIATION
In the discovery phase, the two sides exchange credible and essential information about the case. Then, it is the last chance to settle the case out of court. They attempt to bring in mediation to have it resolved amicably. However, if that doesn’t solve it, then the court may be the only answer to the questions.
- TRIAL & APPEAL
At this step, the jury evaluates and assesses the case thoroughly to determine the fault and potentially put forth the damages incurred. At this point, you can be compensated for your losses, depending on the situation. Then, based on the circumstances of the case, the losing party may proceed with an appeal. Experienced lawyers pursue your case aggressively to secure any possibility of winning the case.
FINAL WORD Being involved in an accident or an injury case can bring a lot of trauma and damages and losses. But, those who are well prepared to deal with the situation can resolve it rather efficiently. The above guideline can be quite helpful in keeping yourself off the steps to deal with an injury case. So, remember to follow this check-list with you.