Published on behalf of Before an accident/injury lawsuit like a motorcycle accident or slip and fall accident is filed, there is much investigation which must be done. The lawyer must understand how the accident occurred and what the nature and extent of the injuries and damages are. The investigation may be time consuming, especially if there are serious injuries or multiple parties.
Filing a lawsuit will generally require obtaining and reviewing all relevant records, such as:
- police report in an motor vehicle accident,
- incident report in a slip and fall accident,
- witness statement(s),
- EMS records,
- emergency room records,
- subsequent medical records,
- pictures of the accident scene/damage,
- wage loss records, and
- medical billing records.
One of the most important preliminary steps is identifying the defendants. This is especially important in slip and fall cases because in many fall accident situations, other parties may bear liability, such as a maintenance contractor. In a catastrophic motorcycle accident case, it is important to rule out other causes of the accident, such as a roadway defect or motorcycle defect.
Before filing the lawsuit, the insurance company for the defendant may be notified and settlement may be attempted. In most motor vehicle accident situations, like a motorcycle or car/truck accident, the insurance company for the negligent party will usually be notified of the details of the accident and injuries. The lawyer may attempt to negotiate a settlement and if no settlement can be reached, file the lawsuit. Likewise in a slip and fall accident case, the business or store where the accident occurred may have its insurance company contact the lawyer prior to filing the lawsuit.
Related Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Legal Article:Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accidents – Steps to Take After an Accident
Related Slip and Fall Accident Legal Article: Tips on What to do After a Slip and Fall Accident
Philadelphia Injury & Accident Lawyer
Schwartz & Blackman has been representing the injured and their families for over thirty years in slip and fall and motorcycle accident cases.
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*This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is important to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.