Will I Win My Car Accident Lawsuit?
The personal injury lawyers at my office are often asked, “Will I win my car accident lawsuit?” This is a very difficult question to answer, regardless of whether the collision occurred in DC, Maryland or Virginia. The legal system is very unpredictable, and no one knows for sure exactly what a jury will do. However, as a DC car accident lawyer might explain, there are some steps that can be taken at the outset of the case to help ensure that you have the best chance possible of winning your car accident case.
If you have been involved in an auto accident, the very first thing you should do is seek advice from a qualified personal lawyer. This can help you with some important steps that must be taken to increase your chance of a victory down the road. Some basic steps that must be taken include interviewing witnesses, preserving evidence, and making sure that you receive appropriate medical care and treatment.
When it comes to interviewing witnesses, the lawyers’ investigator, or the lawyer herself, will track down the witness. In some instances, a statement will be taken. If the lawyer suspects that the witness to the car accident might be essential to the case, and the facts of the case warrant this, steps can be taken to preserve the witnesses’ testimony through a pre-litigation deposition. This is rare, but does occur. Second, it is imperative that evidence be preserved. In the case of a car accident, this usually means photographing the vehicles involved, and taking scene photographs. If it is not possible to get a photograph of the adverse witnesses’ vehicle, then at a minimum you should get photographs of your own vehicle. These photographs can show the point of impact, the amount of damage, and other key facts which may come out in the case. Finally, in order to better your chances of prevailing at trial, or by way of settlement, you should make sure that your medical treatment is coordinated.
That is not to suggest that the lawyer should be involved in your treatment. Treatment for a car accident case should be directed by physicians. However, it is important that if you have suffered an injury, you take the time to seek treatment. If you do not have medical documentation for your injuries, it will be very difficult to prove to a jury that you have been injured.
To reiterate, predicting who will win in a car accident case is not always easy. But if you take steps immediately, then you can help improve your chances!