If you are filing a car accident claim, you have certain rights and responsibilities to be aware of in the process. You also have certain statutes of limitations that apply to your case.
It is important to be well versed in the process behind a car accident claim and court summons to know what to do. Additionally, a St. Louis car accident lawyer might be able to help your case so you can receive compensation for any damages or injuries sustained in the accident.
How to File a Car Accident Claim
If you were injured in a car accident, know that your insurance company needs the information from you to jumpstart the process in beginning your accident claim.
Information that you must supply the insurance company to begin your accident claim include:
- Date and location of the accident
- The other party’s insurance information
- Any photographic evidence of the damage to both vehicles
- Police report
- Information from a doctor (who you will see as soon as possible) regarding any injuries
Once your car insurance company has this information, they will move forward with filing your claim which may include a court summons.
What is a Car Accident Court Summons?
A car accident court summons is a legal document that provides details of the accident and a complaint alleging fault of the defendant.
The summons should have useful information such as the name of the court, the parties involved in the case, and the case docket number. The summons also includes information on the time frame that needs to be followed to respond to the summons, as there is likely a court date involved.
A car accident case may go to court for reasons such as:
- The parties cannot agree who was at fault
- The parties cannot agree that the accident caused one of the parties to be injured
- The parties agree that one party was injured but are unable to come to an agreement about compensation for those injuries
Plaintiff’s Responsibilities in a Car Accident Court Summons
If you are the person whose claim led to the court summons to be issued, it is your responsibility to prove the other party not only caused the accident but was responsible for your injuries.
Presenting evidence that backs up your claim will provide a judge or jury the information they need to make a decision about the case. That evidence may include the information you submitted to your insurance company as well as any testimony from witnesses to the accident.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
If you are trying to file a claim on your own and are struggling to come to an agreement about who was at fault or what compensation you should receive for injuries, an attorney can answer your questions and guide you during the process.
Also, an attorney may be more aware of the timeframe required to answer a summons, so it is vital to connect with an attorney as soon as you can to handle the car accident court summons right away.
If you were injured, a car accident attorney can represent your claim in court and fight for compensation for your injuries. They will listen carefully to the details of the accident and help guide you through the process started when you submitted your information to the insurance company.
Contact a St. Louis Car Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident and have questions, contact experienced personal injury attorney Patrick S. O’Brien to discuss your case.
