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.