At a car accident hearing, both sides will present their evidence and arguments to a judge or mediator, who will then decide how the case should be resolved.
Imagine your car accident attorney has negotiated with the insurance company for a fair settlement, but the insurance company just won’t budge. Or you and the other party in the car accident can’t seem to agree on who was at fault for the car accident. What happens next? The next step would be to file a lawsuit and take your case to court. However, before you can even get to that stage, you will generally have a car accident hearing.
At a car accident hearing, both sides will present their evidence and arguments to a judge or mediator, who will then decide how the case should be resolved. But who will actually be present at the hearing?
Key Players in a Car Accident Hearing
The Plaintiff: This is the person who filed the lawsuit. In a car accident case, the plaintiff is usually the driver who was injured in the accident.
The Defendant: This is the person being sued. In a car accident case, the defendant is usually the driver who caused the accident.
The Judge: The judge is the person who presides over the hearing. They will ensure that the proceedings are conducted fairly and under the law.
The Mediator: A mediator is a neutral third party who helps the two sides reach an agreement. Mediators don’t make decisions as a judge does. Instead, they help the two sides communicate and try to find common ground.
The Insurance Company: The insurance company will be represented by an attorney.
Your Attorney: It is highly recommended that you have an experienced car accident attorney representing you at the hearing. Your attorney can advocate for your best interests and make sure that you are treated fairly.
The Defendant’s Attorney: Like you, the defendant will also have an attorney representing them. The defendant’s attorney will try to prove that their client was not at fault for the accident.
Are Witnesses Allowed at a Car Accident Hearing?
Typically, only the parties involved in the lawsuit present evidence and arguments at the hearing. This means that witnesses generally won’t testify. However, there may be exceptions. For example, if there is a dispute over who was at fault for the accident, the judge may allow witnesses to testify about what they saw.
What About Evidence?
Evidence can take many forms, but some common examples include photos, videos, medical records, and police reports. Evidence will be used to support the arguments made by the parties involved in the lawsuit.
St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers
Whether you’ve recently been involved in a car accident or you’re wondering who will be present at your hearing and what kind of evidence you’ll need to prove your case, the experienced car accident attorneys at The Hoffman Law Firm can help. We have a proven track record of success in car accident cases, and we’re ready to put our experience to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.