1. Information Gathering

Our personal injury lawyers will investigate all aspects of your accident along with the nature and extent of your injuries. Usually, witness statements are taken while reports, records and bills are obtained. This information is typically gathered through the use of specialized forms sent to clients, witnesses and doctors. These forms may be sent to you, insurance companies, witnesses, doctors, your employer or any other person or company who we believe may need or have important information.

2. Negotiating Your Claim

Negotiations begin when the client has concluded medical treatment or reached maximum medical improvement. Harris Personal Injury Lawyers will present your claim to the insurance company in the form of a demand package. The demand package will tell the story of your case. It will provide an explanation as to how the accident occurred, and will give a detailed medical explanation of the seriousness of your injuries and how they have impacted your life. Medical records, wage loss documentation and investigation information is included with your demand package. This information will be reviewed by the insurance company’s claim adjuster or attorney, and they will provide a response in the form of an acceptance of the demand, a counter offer, or a rejection of the claim. If a settlement offer is made, we will communicate the offer to you. After thorough discussion of the offer, you will instruct us to either accept or reject it on your behalf. Depending on the circumstances, Harris Personal Injury Lawyers will recommend either an acceptance or rejection of the offer. However, the client always has the final say in choosing to accept or reject any settlement offer that might be made by the insurance company. And remember, negotiations do not end until the client’s claim is settled or a verdict is reached.

3. Litigation

Litigation begins once steps are taken to go to court or arbitration. This happens if you are not satisfied with the insurance company’s settlement offer or if the insurance company refuses to make an offer. If the insurance company makes a reasonable settlement offer, your case may be settled at any time, even while the case is awaiting trial in court or arbitration. No two personal injury claims are the same, so if or when a claim is settled varies case-by-case. While very few personal injury claims actually go to trial or arbitration (most cases are settled) Harris Personal Injury Lawyers will prepare your case to go to trial or arbitration from the very beginning.