Car accident cases can be highly complex and cause much contention. If a dispute arises from an accident, such as how the accident happened, liability, or the value of a claim, and that cannot be resolved, then a lawyer on behalf of the injured person would file a complaint. If the complaint is filed in the District of Columbia, it’s filed in Superior Court. Roger Gelb, an experienced car accident attorney, could help with all elements of a car accident claim. He can walk you through the car accident trial process in DC and help you seek compensation for your injuries.
When there is a trial, or the case goes to trial, each side is permitted to give an opening statement; although not required to, the plaintiff goes first. That is because the plaintiff has the burden of proof so that the defendant may provide an opening statement, and then the plaintiff can rebut the defendant’s opening statement.
The car accident trial process ends in DC with closing statements. Like the opening statement, either side can give a closing statement, although it is not required. A closing statement is an argument and not necessarily proof. Both present the closing statement and because the burden is on the plaintiff, he will deliver the closing arguments first, then the defense after there is a short rebuttable by the plaintiff side if they would like.
The car accident trial process in DC can be slightly different when multiple defendants exist. Various defendants are involved in a case for a variety of reasons. There may be more than one person or entity at fault in an accident case. On the other hand, there may be more than one party at fault in an accident case. For example, a person could be stopped and rear-ended in a car accident.
That vehicle that rear-ended the injured party may be rear-ended and then pushed into the car, causing a second impact. In that case, there are two defendants. Both of them are at fault presumably equally, although depending on the amount of damage and the extensive damage in both collisions. It would be up to a finder of fact, the judge, or a jury to determine if the defendants should split the judgment.
A typical trial on an automobile accident case with soft tissue injuries, meaning no broken bones, no scarring, and no surgery, the trial itself is typically two days. The judge would set aside their calendar to allow time to try the case. The first day is picking the jury if it is a jury trial. That process is known as voir dire.
The second half of the first day may involve opening statements and some direct examinations. The second day would be the balance of the direct examinations, cross-examinations, and closing arguments, and then time for the jury to deliberate about the case, which could extend into the third day, of course, or even longer. Still, typically, it should last up to that.
The most crucial factor in any case is liability. The plaintiff and their attorney are burdened to show that somebody else is negligent and thus liable for causing their injuries in an auto accident case. Once they establish a liability, they have to offer the damages sustained by the plaintiff. A seasoned attorney at Gelb & Gelb P.C. could help make this process easier. They could handle every legal element of your claim and help you get compensation. Schedule a consultation to learn more about car accident trials in DC.
Gelb & Gelb, P.C.
N/a
Copyright © 2024 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.