DAY I
Interview of client
Make client appointment with treating doctor close to where they live
WEEK ONE
Report accident to both insurance companies
Letter of representation to both insurance companies
Attempt to get Insurance company to accept responsibility
Make arrangements thru either insurance company to fix clients car
Obtain rental car for client
If client does not have other party’s information, then we will have to wait for police report or run a tag trace
WEEK TWO
If clients vehicle is a total loss determine total loss value
Send for client’s medical records, hospital reports and all medical bills
Send for police report
Contact and interview witnesses
Continue to Attempt to get Insurance company to accept responsibility
Send for client lost wages
Send letter to health insurer regarding any lien
WEEK FOUR
File pip claim
Follow up with client on treatment status
Review medical records to date
Follow up on medical bills, lost wages and hospital reports
CLIENT’S TREATMENT IS COMPLETE STAGE
– Often 4 to 6 weeks after accident but can be much longer depending on the severity of client’s injuries
Make sure we have all medical bills, reports, hospital reports and bills, police reports and witness statement
Follow-up on lien letter from health insurance company
If insurance company has not accepted claim, then file suit once all of the medical reports, bills and lost wages are gathered
DEMAND LETTER STAGE
If insurance company has accepted claim, then a demand letter will go out to the insurance company summarizing the claim and making a demand and attaching all medical bills reports and lost wage claim.
NEGOTIATION STAGE
30 days after demand letter is sent
Follow-up with insurance company and begin the negotiation process.
Once lawyer determines the insurance company has made their final offer, a request to send a check and release will be made
Client will come in to discuss settlement offer
If case does not settle, then suit will have to be filed.
This stage can last between 30 to 90 days
SUIT STAGE
If the value of the case is less than 30,000.00 dollars then suit will likely be filed in the district court
The district court process typically takes approximately six months
If the case is worth more than 30,000.00, then suit will usually be filed in the circuit court. The circuit court process can take between 12 and 18 months
When suit is filed, the defendant will be served with our suit and will file an answer. The parties will exchange questions and answers called interrogatories and in the circuit court depositions may be taken. The length of time before a trial date is set by the court is out of the control of the lawyers.
For more info on Maryland motor vehicle claims, CLICK HERE.