Our Legal Process

STEP 1: INJURY

You or a loved one is injured in a car crash, accident, or other catastrophic event. This could include a severe injury that leads to death.

STEP 2: CONTACT

You are referred to our law firm by another attorney or contact us directly via phone call, chat, or email. Our client intake manager immediately responds with compassion, gathers information about your injury, and enters it into our client intake software.

STEP 3: RESPONSE

Within minutes or hours, you’ll receive a phone call from an attorney as to whether we’re able to handle your claim based on the essential information you provided. Our attorneys can answer your pressing questions and reassure you that taking legal action may be the appropriate choice in your situation. If we’re not able to take your case, we can connect you with other legal resources.

STEP 4: RETENTION

If you hire us as your legal counsel, Indiana requires that you sign a written agreement to retain our law firm. We’ll immediately put together a specialized legal team to get to work on your case. There is no payment necessary up front. Our firm works on contingency, which means our legal fees and expenses are paid by the defendant as part of a successful settlement agreement or jury award.

STEP 5: STRATEGY

We create the best legal strategy that optimizes your chances of success. We leave no stone unturned when gathering evidence, researching statutes and case law, and building a powerful case on your behalf.

STEP 6: EVIDENCE

STEP 7: COMMUNICATION

Our legal team will meet with you in person, via Zoom, electronically, or speak by phone periodically throughout the legal process to update you on your case, gather additional information, and answer your questions. We are always respectful and sensitive to the difficulties you are walking through. We will be working together for many months in some cases, and our clients become like family.

STEP 8: MEDICAL CARE

We ensure that you get all the medical care you need, including medical specialists and counsellors, if needed. While we handle the legal aspects of your case, we want to make sure you’re getting the medical care necessary so you can recover.

STEP 9: COLLABORATION

Building a strong legal case requires collaboration between a client and the legal team. The more you are able to interact and participate with your attorney, the greater the likelihood of a positive outcome. Clients help fill out interrogatories from opposing counsel by providing details about their life that our lawyers may not know, such as employment history, home addresses over the last several years, the names of past doctors, etc.

STEP 10: WITNESSES

We’ll contact and interview accident eyewitnesses to determine what they saw and heard when your injury took place.

STEP 11: SUBPOENAS & DEPOSITIONS

Your attorney and opposing counsel will issue subpoenas to interview under oath all parties involved, including you, the defendant, doctors, and others. Your attorney will sit with you during your deposition so you’re never alone.

STEP 12: EXPERT WITNESSES

Our law firm has the resources to hire skilled expert witnesses to prove your case, if necessary. Expert witnesses can include accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, engineers, and others.

STEP 13: DAMAGES

We’ll calculate the dollar amount we believe your case is worth, which includes the economic and non-economic damages you have suffered. Punitive damages are also possible in some cases.

STEP 14: DEMAND

We’ll send a demand letter for damages to opposing counsel. We back up your claim with extensive evidence and other related documents. The intricate preparation and power of our legal team’s research often convinces opposing counsel to settle rather than risk losing a jury trial.

STEP 15: NEGOTIATION

Throughout this process, your attorney will be negotiating aggressively with opposing counsel to prove the merits of your case. Some insurance companies are reasonable, while others drag their feet and make low-ball offers. We’ll always inform you of the offer on the table so you can make informed decisions. We’ll give you the benefit of our legal experience and advise you about whether an offer is reasonable.

STEP 16: COMPLAINT

Because we prepare every case as though it’s going to trial, your legal team will draft a compelling and powerful complaint that can be filed immediately should you decide to file a lawsuit and take the case to court. The decision will be yours whether to settle or go to trial.

STEP 17: MEDIATION

A court can request that you and the opposing party attend non-binding mediation with an independent mediator to determine if a settlement agreement can be reached without a trial. Your attorney will attend mediation with you.

STEP 18: YOUR DECISION

After the defendant’s insurance company has made their best financial offer, you decide whether to take the money and settle the case or opt for a jury trial.

STEP 19: SETTLEMENT (path A)

You accept a negotiated dollar amount and avoid going to court.

STEP 20: PAYOUT (path A)

Within weeks in most cases, you receive your settlement check (the agreed-upon settlement amount less attorney’s fees, outstanding medical bills, and case expenses).

STEP 21: TRIAL (path B)

Lawyers for both sides argue their cases in a courtroom. The trial can take several days, and you may have to testify. There is risk involved for both sides. You may be awarded a larger dollar amount than previously offered, or you could risk losing the case. At Stephenson Rife, we fight tirelessly to win every client’s case.

STEP 22: COURT DECISION (path B)

The judge and/or jury reach a decision in your case. Financial damages are awarded if successful.

STEP 23: PAYOUT (path B)

Within a few weeks in most situations, you receive a check for the dollar amount awarded, less attorney’s fees, outstanding doctor and hospital bills, and case expenses.