No matter what type of accident you were in, our attorneys will provide you with top-quality representation as well as guidance and support. Our process for handling your claim will vary based on the facts of your case. However, these are the general steps we will take to assist you.

Initial Consultation

When you contact us after an accident, it is important that we get a full picture of what happened as soon as possible. If we wait too long to begin working on your case, we may miss critical evidence.

At our initial consultation, we will ask you to tell your side of the story. We may ask you a number of questions to make sure we get all the necessary information. Some of these questions may include:

• When and where did the accident occur?
• How did the accident occur?
• Who do you believe was responsible for your accident, and why?
• What are your injuries and how do they affect your life?
• Do you have insurance?
• Can we have access to your medical records to find out more about your injuries and treatments?
• Were you able to return to work after the accident?

Please do your best to answer our questions honestly and thoroughly. Our attorneys are on your side and want to make sure you have the best representation possible if we decide to go forward with your case.

Collecting Evidence

Now that we have a better picture of your case, we will begin collecting as much evidence as possible.

If a police officer responded to the scene of the accident, they likely completed a police report documenting what happened. In traffic accidents, the officer will likely document whether either party committed any traffic violations. Traffic violations can indicate negligence and will help prove liability later on.

We will also look for any photos and videos from the scene that can help prove the events leading up to and during your accident. If anyone saw the accident take place or has information that can confirm your story, we will talk to them, as well. They may testify on your behalf later on.

We may also collect expert testimony. We have a network of specialists, like medical experts and accident reconstructionists, who can testify on details of your case.

In addition to proving causation and liability, we will need to prove that you suffered damages. We will need medical records documenting the injuries you suffered and pay stubs to show that you lost wages as a result of the crash.

Filing an Insurance Claim

In personal injury cases—particularly those involving motor vehicle accidents—it is important that you file a claim with the correct party’s insurer. If you were in a car accident, your own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance will cover medical costs and lost wages up to $10,000. If your injury occurred during a fall in store, we would file a claim with the property owner’s liability insurer.

Whether we file a claim with another party’s insurer or your own, insurance adjusters will conduct their own investigation into your accident to determine whether to award benefits. Keep in mind that insurance companies want to pay out as little as possible and will try to lowball you when making offers. They may also try to get you to admit liability in non-PIP cases so they can deny your claim altogether.

Our attorneys can help handle your insurance claim and make sure insurers do not deprive you of the benefits you deserve. In cases where we are unable to negotiate a fair settlement offer, our attorneys may advise you to file a lawsuit against the liable parties.

Filing a Civil Lawsuit

If we are unable to get you a fair deal with an insurer, we will move to filing a lawsuit against the parties responsible for your accident. Our claim will require us to establish that the parties acted negligently and that their negligence caused your injuries. Negligence can include any form of reckless or irresponsible behavior. If we can prove the responsible party had a duty to keep you safe, yet failed to do so—and your injuries occurred as a result—we can hold them responsible for their negligence.  

Our attorneys will use the evidence we collected in our investigation to establish that the other parties are liable for your damages.