The Personal Injury Lawsuit Process for Traffic Accidents

The client and attorney meet and discuss:

1. How the accident happened
2. The extent of the injuries
3. Employment and when the client expects to return to work
4. Health issues that might impact the rate of recovery for injuries
5. The jurisdiction and venue (where the accident happened and where the parties live, or where a company does business.)
6. Ascertaining all defendants and the insurance coverage that should apply
7. Any liens that might be levied on the case
8. Legal options are discussed, including whether or not a lawsuit should be commenced immediately
9. A retainer and preliminary authorizations to obtain medical reports are signed, as well as any other documents that will be filed immediately such as no-fault forms.

INVESTIGATION

A full-scale investigation into the case will begin, in an effort to obtain all the documents necessary for settlement and litigation, and to line-up any experts that might be retained:

1. Police Reports
2. Photographs of the Scene
3. Photographs of the Injuries
4. Videos
5. Witness Testimony
6. Medical Records
7. Medical Billing
8. Insurance Coverage
9. Whether there is a party that is a government entity
10. Whether there were video surveillance tapes
11. Data from the vehicle’s computer, when applicable
12. Employment History, including any lost time from work
13. Accident Reconstructionist
14. Medical Experts
15. Other documents and experts and the particular case may dictate

DECISION IS MADE ABOUT WHEN TO START A LAWSUIT

The investigation does not necessarily have to be complete before a lawsuit is commenced.  Sometimes it is necessary to start it right away.  For example, if the investigation determines that there is a minimal insurance policy and multiple claimants, a lawsuit should be commenced to avoid the risk that the policy is tendered to the other claimants, leaving the client out!  If there is a large amount of coverage and severe injuries, a lawsuit should be commenced so that the largest amount possible is collected, which would be unlikely without a lawsuit.  A lawsuit should not be commenced for a case with “soft-tissue” injuries until enough evidence is obtained to meet the “serious injury” threshold, as the case would be at risk for being dismissed on “summary judgment.”  These are just examples, every case has it’s own facts and applicable laws which will influence the decision about when to start a lawsuit.

SETTLEMENT PACKAGE IS SENT TO INSURANCE COMPANY

Whether a lawsuit is commenced or not, when the medical evidence is complete, it is sent to the insurance company so that settlement negotiations can begin.  Depending on the insurance company, it can take months before a claim is evaluated and a settlement amount if offered.  The except is when the extent of the injuries greatly exceeds the available insurance coverage, in which case the insurance company usually tenders the entire policy fairly quickly.  Once the offer is received, it is discussed with the client and a decision is made whether to take the offer.  Usually, the first offer is rejected, as it is likely that the insurance company will offer more money down the road, especially if a lawsuit is commenced.  An exception is when the client has healed much more quickly than expected and does not meet the “serious injury” threshold or barely does – in this case, the insurance’s company’s offer of “nuisance value” will usually not be increased.  This is called a “nuisance value” offer because the insurance company will offer an amount that is less than the amount they would need to pay lawyers to defend a lawsuit, as a cost-saving measure.

THE LAWSUIT PROCESS

The lawsuit is generally started with the filing of a Summons and Complaint against all known defendants.  Sometimes the insurance company will want to settle the case before they must retain attorneys to defend the action.  This can sometimes be a very good time to settle a case.  If an additional defendant becomes known later, that defendant can be added to the lawsuit.  The defendants usually respond with an Answer and Demands for a Bill of Particulars and Discovery.  Sometimes the defendant will a Motion for Summary Judgment claiming that the client does not meet the “serious injury threshold”  or another type of Motion.  Either side can request a preliminary conference where dates are set for the course of the litigation, including dates for depositions.  Where liability is in dispute, it often difficult to settle a case before conducting depositions.  Depositions are part of the “discovery phase” of the litigation, whereby each side provides information they have to the other side so that a comprehensive picture of all the facts develops.  There are attempts to settle the case throughout the lawsuit phase, which can continue through picking a jury or even during a trial.

ARBITRATION

Some types of cases should be arbitrated rather than litigated.  When there is no insurance for the offending vehicle or for a hit and run, an uninsured motorists claim can be made against the client’s vehicle.  Technically it is still possible to sue the defendant directly, but without insurance, this is not a wise course.  An uninsured motorist claim arbitration is informal but is based on the same law that would apply to a lawsuit.  It takes only a few hours, rather than years, which can be a big plus.  These arbitrations are rarely held, as usually, the insurance company makes a fair offer prior to the arbitration date.

MEDIATION

Sometimes, when the parties cannot agree on a settlement amount, they can agree to hire a mediator to work with both sides and help them come to an agreement.   The mediator does not render a decision that is binding on either party.

Every case must come to a conclusion, it must either be settled, taken to a verdict or (regrettably) dropped.  I hope that this guide to the personal injury lawsuit process has been helpful to you.  If you have any questions, you can feel free to call Wittenstein & Wittenstein at 718-261-8114.  See the APPENDIX below for more information.

APPENDIX

New York State Court Locator  This list will allow you to enter your location to see lists of all the courts in your area.

American Arbitration Association  Here you will find information about arbitrations and individual arbitrators

Rules for Arbitration of Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured
Motorist Insurance Disputes and Uninsured Motorist Insurance
Disputes in the State of New York – Source: The American Arbitration Association

Serious Injury Threshold Law, Source: American Bar Association
Article 51 of the Insurance Law provides that a plaintiff in a personal injury action arising
out of negligence in the use or operation of a motor vehicle must establish that he/she has
incurred a basic economic loss exceeding $50,000 or must establish that he/she has suffered
“serious injury”. Insurance Law § 5104(a), (b). Serious injury is defined as personal injury
which results in one of the following :
• Death
• Dismemberment
• Significant disfigurement
• Fracture
• Loss of a fetus
• Permanent loss of use of a body organ, member, function or system
• Permanent consequential limitation of a body organ or member
• Significant limitation of use of a body function or system
• Medically determined injury or impairment of a non-permanent nature which
prevents the injured person from performing substantially all of the material acts
which constitute such person’s usual and customary daily activities for not less
than 90 days during the 180 days immediately following the occurrence of the
injury or impairment.
Insurance Law §5102(d).

NYCOURTS.GOV Guide to Evidence in New York

This is the guide to personal injury lawsuits for traffic accidents.  Stay tuned for our upcoming guides for other types of negligence cases.