Preparing for Car Accident Litigation in Oklahoma City

When working with a lawyer to settle your car accident claim, you may notice that the insurance company is being difficult, reluctant to comply, and doesn’t want to agree to a fair solution. When this happens, you and your car accident attorney will discuss and decide whether you should take the settlement being offered or take your case to court.

If you believe that the settlement offer is unfair for your losses and decide you want to pursue a lawsuit, that is your right. All you have to do is inform your lawyer about your decision, and they will help you prepare for the litigation process. Here are six steps you should take to prepare for a car accident trial in Oklahoma City.

1.     Look over your case and make sure you know all the facts

When preparing for car accident litigation, the first step you should take is to thoroughly look over your case. Your attorney can go over the entire case with you and make sure that you know and understand every detail. While you may be thinking that you know the case because it is your accident, the court process can be nerve-wracking, and you may forget certain information. Therefore, it is important to give yourself a refresher and ensure that you know everything regarding your side of the story.

2.     Gather your receipts

Before your trial date arrives, you must ensure that all your losses are calculated. In order to successfully do this, your attorney may ask you to visit various places to request an estimate of expenses, bills, and fees related to your accident. For example, you will likely need to visit a few different car mechanic repair shops and request estimates on the type of work you need done to your vehicle.

More important, though, is your medical care, because this amount can change over time. A car can be repaired or it can’t, but certain injuries like traumatic brian injuries or paralysis may last a lifetime, and that means your bills will be ongoing. Save any receipts and bills associated with this care, including costs for co-pays, deductibles, medical devices, medications, and more.

You may also be entitled to compensation for services you needed while you were too injured to care for yourself. For example, if you paid for transportation to and from your doctor, or had to hire a tutor for your child or a housekeeper for your home, all of this may be compensable. Save any proof you have of these expenses.

3.     Ensure your lawyer has all the documentation to support your case

Pictures are worth 1000 words, they say. Part of our job as your injury lawyers is to create a compelling case for a jury, and that involves more than just testimony – it involves visual aids, accident reconstruction, and more. But to build this case, we need to have all the evidence and documentation there is.

Make sure you give your lawyer any photos or videos you took or other witnesses took. (Your lawyer can subpoena video footage from third parties, including dash cams or news footage.) Always make sure your lawyer is kept up to date about your medical progress, too. One thing your lawyer may do is create or print a 3D rendering of where you were injured, so you want to keep your attorney informed about any changes.

4.     Be aware of the courtroom procedures

If this is your first time going to court, you are likely unaware of how the courtroom procedures work. The good news is that you can meet with your Oklahoma City car accident lawyer and ask as many questions as you would like about the process. Your lawyer knows and understands how legal cases proceed in the courtroom. Therefore, they will be able to help you prepare for what to expect. Many clients become anxious or nervous during trials. So, this step is essential to helping you ease your worries and fears before going to court.

5.     Be ready to give your testimony

Testimony can be powerfully persuasive, especially testimony by the person who was harmed. You don’t have to take the stand, but if you do, you need to be prepared. In order to get ready for this part of the process, you and your attorney will practice giving your testimony by acting out certain questions the defendant’s legal team may ask you. Your attorney will ensure that your answers are good as they typically know what type of questions may be asked. However, you never want to give your testimony without practicing beforehand because this could result in you saying the wrong things and jeopardizing your entire case.

6.     Make sure you look professional for your trial

As the court date approaches, you should start thinking about how to dress for the trial. Most car accident lawyers will recommend that you wear business casual clothes. This means that you want to look professional, but you also do not want to overdo it. You do not want to show up in a tuxedo, but you also do not want to wear a t-shirt with flip flops. Judges and juries do take your look into consideration, even if it’s not fair to you. If you have any questions about what to wear, your lawyer will go over the expected dress code before the trial.

If you suffer injuries from a car accident and need immediate legal assistance, an Oklahoma City car accident attorney from Cunningham & Mears is here to help. Our team has over two decades of experience helping clients with all types of car accident cases, and we are more than happy to provide you with the assistance you need as well. We know and understand how complicated insurance companies can be, which is why we are dedicated to helping our clients pursue other legal options, such as a trial. To learn more, call our office or submit our contact form today.