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[A794]Auto Accident Personal Injury Claim

by Rainier Policarpio, Rai

The resolution of a lawsuit through an alternative procedure is greatly advised to avoid the formal case hearings in a court trial. However, there some instances wherein the plaintiff and the defendant failed to resolve their arguments outside the court. This is whether the plaintiff does not accept the offer or the defendant did not propose a just settlement package. Thus, they resulted to battling it out in court trials.

Trial Procedure
A personal injury trial is quite similar in any other criminal court case in which witnesses and evidences play an important role. More so, the disputing parties are required to have their respective trial lawyers who would act as their advisor and defend them in the oral arguments. Hence, a legal counsel should be well versed about the “tort law" which covers these particular cases.

Both the plaintiff and the defendant would be given time to present their evidences or defend their part on the statements or accusations that would be pointed out. Then, a judge or a jury has the authority to weigh in the case and render his verdict after all interpretations and evidences have been filed and presented.

The Burden of Proof
Usually, the plaintiff carries the burden of proof. Meaning, he is obliged to submit sufficient evidences in order to convince the court judge or jury that the accused was liable for doing him wrong. Although, this aspect of tort litigation is based on a much lower standard as compared in a criminal offense wherein the accused must be proven guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt". There were even some instances wherein an accused has been acquitted of committing a criminal offense but has been held liable in a tort case.

The Affirmative Defense
An affirmative defense in simple words is the confirmation made by the defendant regarding evidence fired against him but along with it is an argument that would defend his innocence. This tactic is normally used by the defense in order to lessen their liability over a certain injury claim case.

Motions in a Trial
It is common in a court trial that the defense team files their motions for various reasons. In fact, defense lawyers use this strategy to extend or to terminate a lawsuit prematurely. A motion attempts to convince the judge that the other party’s case does not have enough merits for it to be heard in a court trial, making it senseless to be pursued. For an example, if the presiding judge agrees on a motion to quash, the subject of the said motion would not be accepted in court.

Outside factors are the actions of the other driver that didn't directly cause the accident but contributed to, and prove, negligence. A drunk driving accident may have been caused by the driver speeding, failing to signal or running a stop sign. The drunkenness is incidental, but highly relevant.

Because of this, when an accident involves drunk driving the drinking is generally considered an intangible. So even if there's no charge of drunk driving, it's important to bring up anything alluding to the driver drinking. For example, smelling alcohol on the driver's breath or seeing empty bottles in the car. Emphasising these things can help your case.

Aside from drunk driving accidents, cell phone accidents are increasingly common. If the other driver was talking on a cell phone when the car accident happened, you're likely to win a quick personal injury settlement.

Cell phones have been proven to cause accidents by distracting the driver. Some studies have shown that cell phones are responsible for the same number of accidents as drunk driving. Mentioning this to the insurance adjuster will strengthen your case, but they'll still put up a fight. (There are also studies claiming that cell phones cause very few accidents, but those studies can be quite easily debunked.)

Before talking with the adjuster about this factor, research both sides so you know what to say - do a search online for studies relating to the dangers of cell phone use while driving. The study most likely to be used to counter your claim says that only a small percentage of accidents in North Carolina were caused by cell phone use. The study involves statistics from the 1990's and doesn't show the number of actual cell phone users in North Carolina at that time.

When drunk driving accidents happen a law has clearly been broken and charges will usually be made against the driver. That indictment alone should have the insurance adjuster hurrying to make an offer.

With cell phone use it isn't that easy since many states don't have laws against using them while driving. Without the element of a broken law and resulting charges, it may be more difficult to prove the driver was using a cell phone. This will come down to your word against theirs, but that's okay. If you know you're right, then make sure the adjuster realizes that if your claim goes to court, you will demand the other driver's cell phone records. This will prove your case.

If your case involves a drunk driving accident or a cell phone accident, make sure to stress it in your demand to the insurance company. Drunk driving accidents are so common that the mere mention of the word ?drunk? will do most of the work for you. With cell phone use, reference at least one study. This'll show the insurance adjuster you know what you're talking about and that your argument is solid.

Article Source : Injury Compensation Claim

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Both Rainier Policarpio & Arthur Gueli are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Rainier Policarpio has sinced written about articles on various topics from Accident Claims, Legal Matters and Social Security Information. Consult with our reliable and professional concerning trial of your case before the court.. Rainier Policarpio's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.

Arthur Gueli has sinced written about articles on various topics from Injury Claims, Legal Matters and Injury Claims. Arthur Gueli works with his brother Charles (a licensed personal injury attorney) teaching injured people how to protect their rights and obtain fair compensation for their damages.Find out more about liability and traffic accidents at their educational w. Arthur Gueli's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.