Stages in a Personal Injury Case

You might wonder what to expect in a typical personally injured case, including how long it takes if you were wounded in a type of accident that seems like it was someone else’s responsibility.

Learn about each stage of a personal injury lawsuit by reading this article.

  • Get Medical Treatment:

    After an accident or injury, the first thing someone should do is seek medical help right away. If you’ve been hurt in any way, go to the hospital or see a doctor. Make an appointment to get your injuries treated and recorded. An opposing attorney may claim that your injuries may not warrant compensation if you do not seek treatment after being wounded or injured.

  • Initial Consultation:

    If you believe you have been injured as a result of someone else’s carelessness or failure to offer reasonable safety accommodations, you should contact a personal injury attorney. Your damage may entitle you to compensation as a consequence. To find out, you’ll need the help of a qualified personal injury lawyer. They know their stuff and will assist you in building your personal injury case.

  • Investigate:

    If you hire an attorney, they should do a thorough and impartial investigation into your personal injury claim, including reviewing police reports, pictures, witness testimony, medical records and bills, your job history and earning ability, and more. Your lawyer may also call accident witnesses to gather statements.

  • Issue Demand and Negotiate:

    Many lesser claims for personal injury are resolved before the filing of a lawsuit. If the lawyer believes the matter can be resolved, they will make a demand on the opposing attorney or the other party’s insurance company. The opposing party, whether an individual, or a corporation, or an insurance company, usually will evaluate the letter. In most cases, the opposing party will either reject the demand, or make a counteroffer, or accept it in response to the letter.

  • File Personal Injury Lawsuit:

    When you and your lawyer file a personal injury lawsuit in court, the litigation process begins.

  • Discovery Phase:

    During the discovery process, each party analyses the legal claims and defenses of the other. They send each other interrogatories and document requests, and they depose all necessary parties and witnesses, starting with the plaintiff and defendant. This procedure might take anything from six months to a year.

  • Pre-trial Mediation:

    A judge or mediator will meet down with you and the defense party just before you enter the courtroom to settle your personal injury lawsuit. This is your last chance to reach an agreement before going to court.

    The closer attorneys go to trial, the more likely both sides will be willing to make concessions. The settlement allows everyone to feel validated while avoiding total loss.

  • Trial:

    If you and your lawyer are unable to find a settlement to your satisfaction, your personal injury case is brought to trial. While it may take time for the steps to proceed to a test, the trial itself is as brief as a day or a week. The outcome of your trial is final.

If you are looking to hire a personal injury lawyer, connect with the best lawyers at Autrey Law Firm.