Van Camp & Deissner Law Offices, 1707 W. Broadway Ave.,  Spokane, WA 99201

Personal Injury Accidents Nobody wants to be in an accident -- a car crash, a slip and fall, or any other imaginable way to get hurt due to someone else's negligence. But it happens, and when it does, you may need a lawyer. Personal Injury Cases are our primary area of practice. Most such cases settle, the majority without going to court. Our job is to relieve you of the burden of obtaining a settlement – with a little help from you! Before you call us, here are a few things you need to do:   Scream?  It won't help but you might feel better.  No more panic, now: take care of yourself, call for help if needed, and get the information in this form that you can click on and print out. ACCIDENT INFORMATION FORM What to expect: First we need information from you, in as complete detail as possible regarding your: Witnesses and physical evidence Doctors or other health practitioners Wage loss verification Next we notify the other party that we are representing you, and take care of dealing with the other party or insurance company from there on. We then collect copies of all your medical records from your providers. We may interview witnesses, investigate and, where necessary, hire expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction or vocational training experts. Settlement Process: When we have assembled enough information, we present your case to the other side for settlement. If no settlement occurs, then we will proceed into litigation. Sadly, this process takes time: 6 - 12 months is not uncommon, after you are medically stable. Remember that we have to wait until you are medically stable. You only get one settlement, and you need to be sure that all your injuries are known before you settle. Remember, too, that Insurance Companies, who pay these settlements, are in business to make money, and they don't make money by paying settlements easily. Settling, or not settling, is always your decision and we will always consult you before we settle. Litigation: Litigation is not fun, but it may be unavoidable if the insurance company will not agree to pay adequate compensation. Here is what to expect: Filing. A lawsuit is started by filing papers with the Court. This becomes a public record, and the Court controls the schedule from then on. Discovery. Both sides in a lawsuit have the right to learn information about the other. This will take three forms: Interrogatories: lengthy written questions asking extensive detailed personal information Depositions: you may be required to submit to examination under oath before a court reporter Medical Exams: You may have to be examined by a doctor hired by the defendant for that purpose These processes are annoying and intrusive: but they are necessary since the Court Rules provide for them. The best response is to simply comply with the requests and give the information, remembering that we are obtaining similar discovery from the other party. Trial or Arbitration. If no settlement is ever reached, you may have to go to trial or arbitration. We estimate that less than 5% of our injury claims result in trials. This process may be long and irritating, but it is sometimes necessary to maximize your compensation. Here is a good FAQ at Lawyers.com. Call us for a free consultation. On Your Side!    This website created and maintained by Dustin Deissner:  Original Layout Design by www.rickyswebtemplates.com Last updated 02/2005