Personal Injury Lawyers

Meeting with an attorney from Krupp & Raboin (Ryan Krupp / Austin Raboin)

The first step after hiring Krupp & Raboin Law Firm is to begin the paperwork, notify the other party, and get the ball rolling with court requirements.

Building the case

In order to build a strong personal injury claim, it is extremely important to gather as much evidence as possible and act quickly to preserve it. Evidence can be lost or altered almost immediately. Most importantly, seek medical attention after the accident. This helps document your injuries and may preserve important evidence supporting your claim.

Evidence may include:

• Medical records

• Witness statements

• Photographs of the accident scene and your injuries

• Police reports, repair bills, and other relevant documents

Krupp & Raboin knows how to investigate and build a personal injury case and can advise you about the evidence that may be most useful in your specific situation. Our attorneys also understand the differences in Missouri and Illinois personal injury law that may affect your claim.

Your lawyer considers making demands and negotiating

Once Krupp & Raboin has thoroughly investigated your case and gathered the available evidence, we may make a demand on the defendant or the defendant's insurance company. The demand may seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

We use the evidence gathered during the investigation to support the demand and negotiate on your behalf. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we can explain your options, which may include filing a lawsuit and preparing the case for trial.

A lawsuit is filed: initial court papers

If a settlement cannot be reached, we may advise filing a lawsuit. The process generally begins with preparing and filing a complaint that outlines the legal claims against the defendant and the damages being sought.

After the complaint is filed and served, the defendant has an opportunity to respond. The case may then move through discovery, motions, settlement negotiations, and, when necessary, trial.

Fact-finding and discovery

Discovery is the process both sides use to gather information and evidence about the case. Common forms of discovery include:

• Interrogatories. Written questions sent to the opposing party that must generally be answered under oath.

• Requests for production. Written requests for documents or other evidence, which may include medical records, police reports, photographs, receipts, repair records, and other relevant materials.

• Requests for admission. Written factual statements that the opposing party is asked to admit, deny, or object to.

• Depositions. Out-of-court testimony given under oath by parties, witnesses, experts, or other people with relevant information about the case.

Discovery can help clarify what happened, identify disputed facts, preserve testimony, and prepare the case for settlement or trial.

Resolution before trial

Many personal injury cases in Missouri and Illinois are resolved before trial through settlement. A settlement is an agreement between the parties that resolves the claim without requiring a judge or jury to decide the case.

Settlement discussions can happen before or after a lawsuit is filed and may continue throughout the litigation process. Krupp & Raboin can evaluate settlement offers, negotiate on your behalf, and help you decide whether an offer fairly reflects the value of your claim.

Settlement

A settlement is a negotiated agreement between you and the defendant or insurance company. In exchange for an agreed payment, the claim is resolved without proceeding to a final trial verdict.

Whether a settlement is appropriate depends on the evidence, the injuries, future medical needs, financial losses, available insurance coverage, and the risks of continuing the case. Our attorneys can explain the terms and help you evaluate whether the proposed resolution is in your best interests.

Trial

If the case cannot be resolved through settlement, it may proceed to trial. Both sides present evidence, witness testimony, and legal arguments to a judge or jury, who will decide issues such as liability and damages.

Krupp & Raboin will present the evidence supporting your claim, question witnesses, respond to the defense's arguments, and advocate for compensation based on the harm caused by the accident.

Collecting money after judgment

If a judgment is entered in your favor, the next step is collecting the damages awarded. Depending on the case, payment may come from an insurance company, the defendant, or another responsible source.

If payment is not made voluntarily, additional legal procedures may be available to enforce the judgment. Krupp & Raboin can explain the available options and help navigate the collection process.

Appealing a decision or judgment

In some cases, a party may have the right to ask a higher court to review a decision made by the trial court. Appeals generally focus on claimed legal errors rather than presenting the entire case again from the beginning.

The appellate process has specific deadlines and procedural requirements. If an appeal becomes relevant, Krupp & Raboin can explain the available options and what the next stage of the case may involve.