Archive for February, 2009
The Phases of An Accident Legal Case by Manuel Salvacion
Accident Lawyers in Houston present the following information on the steps of an accident claim. Contact an attorney in Houston, Texas for more informaton and representation for your accident claim.
Many challenges face a lawyer preparing for a case. If negotiation for settlement fails, you and your lawyer are destined to go to trial, which is the most high-profile phase of the personal injury lawsuit process.
What happens in a trial? How does a lawyer go about the demands of a trial?
Although most personal injury disputes are resolved before the trial stage, a trial gives both parties the opportunity to present their sides and be heard.
A personal injury trial is typically consists of six main phases:
1. Selection of jury
2. Opening statements
3. Witness testimony and cross-examination
4. Closing arguments
5. Jury instruction
6. Jury deliberation and verdict
Selection of Jury
The members of the jury are selected by the judge who has the power to choose or exclude any candidate he thinks will not be objective in deciding the case.
Opening statement
After the jury has been selected, the next stage will be the opening statements of lawyers from both camps. In the opening statements:
Your lawyer (plaintiff) presents the facts of the accident or injury and the other party’s involvement in the incident.
The defendant’s lawyer gives their own interpretation of facts and presents their side of the story.
Witness Testimony and cross-examination
This is the stage when witnesses and experts are called to testify and give their accounts or expert opinion on matters. The witness testimony process adheres to certain standards:
The witness is called to the stand and sworn in.
Your lawyer will begin direct examination of the witness by asking questions to support your claim.
After direct examination, it will be the defendant’s turn to question your witnesses and experts.
After cross-examination, your lawyer will be given another chance to ask further questions before he rests his case.
Closing arguments
Like the opening statements, the closing arguments give both parties to summarize and wrap up their arguments.
Jury Instruction
The judge gives the jury a set of legal standards based on the injury claims at issue and the evidence present on trial.
Jury Verdict
The jury deliberates on the case and announces their verdict. If no verdict is announced, the judge may declare a mistrial and the case will have to be heard again and return to the initial stage of jury selection.
Going to trial may be the last option that a personal injury victim could undergo and it will be the most difficult part of a case. To increase your chance of winning a trial, it would be best to find a competent and knowledgeable lawyer who can handle the job well.
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Best Car Accident Lawyers Explained In More Details
Best Car Accident Lawyers Explained In More Details
Find a accident lawyer in Houston, Texas to assist you with your accident case. Accident Lawyers in Houston presents the following anecdotal article about one perspective on accident lawyers.
I never thought I had much use for a lawyer until I was involved in a car accident. Now I wasnt worried about myself; you should have seen the other guys car. It was not my doing, but nobody would believe me. That day, I thanked my stars that I had a car accident lawyer on my side.
Lawyers go to school to learn how to manipulate the law in their favor. If one works for you, then they’d be manipulating in your favor. You are safe if you have a car accident lawyer a phone call away after a traffic accident. They often come in handy.
Your life might suddenly get very complicated one day if you were involved in a car crash. Good thing you got out of it with your life; but now you need a lawyer, and a good one at that, to talk you out of the jam youd likely be in. Thats what they are for, car accident lawyers.
Car accidents happen all the time in the United States of America. As a matter of fact, documented evidence shows that car crashes are leading causes of death among people aged between 6 to 25 years. The system cannot beat this without help from more difficult laws; and the citizens, now they need lawyers when they get caught up. Well, I say the system works, wouldn’t you agree?
That it was your fault or not, many lawyers do not really worry much. It is enough to them that you were in the car accident. Now they want to get you out; just shut up and follow their lead. Sometimes that is just how the law works.
You could be at fault yet you could get off with little more than a slap on the wrist when there is a pretty good lawyer to do the talking for you. As a matter of fact, if your lawyer is good enough, you could get off free while the other dude pays for the damages to both your cars. It ain’t lying, it’s riding the law.
The first time you are in a car crash, it might obviously be the other drivers fault. The second time, even if it looks like the other guy did it, the judge might look at you as the problem. A third time might earn you a stint in jail; but not if you have a real capable attorney at your beck and call.
An accident lawyer is the one who will make your day right after a car crash. Most times, you find thecops are all over the place, taking notes and making trouble. They naturally want to put the blame on somebody in a hurry. You are sitting duck without your car accident attorney,
By: LarryChrisausb
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