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Know About The Stages And Timeline In A Personal Injury Case

Know About The Stages And Timeline In A Personal Injury Case

You may have been involved in a personal injury accident where someone else was at fault. Your first likely action was to hire a personal injury lawyer. Your second likely action was to file a personal injury lawsuit against the party who was at fault. While you and your lawyer were proceeding with the lawsuit, you may have asked your lawyer what the length of your personal injury case would be and what to expect at each stage.

See a doctor

Your personal injury lawyer in Fountain Valley probably told you that the first step for you to take would be to see a doctor. This is true even if your injuries are minor because minor injuries can soon turn into major ones and complications from minor injuries may take months to show up. Above all, you’ll have medical records that can be used as admissible evidence either in or out of court. You will likely get a much smaller settlement or even no settlement at all from the insurance adjuster if you don’t see the doctor immediately because the adjuster will think that you are not taking your injuries or accident seriously.

Hire a personal injury lawyer

If you have a very minor case, you may be better off representing yourself in small claims court. If, however, your case is even slightly more complex, you need to hire a personal injury lawyer. This person will be trained to prepare your claim or case and will be able to represent you well in court. Remember that personal injury law is very complex. You’ll need a personal injury lawyer to help you get the settlement you want and need to help you pay for medical bills and cover lost income/wages.

Your lawyer will do due diligence and a thorough investigation

Your lawyer will ask you a series of questions at your first meeting with him or her. These questions are designed to gather detailed information that is relevant to your personal injury claim or case. Expect your lawyer to subpoena your medical records and receipts relating to the accident. This will help him or she gather the evidence needed to craft a lawsuit that will let you win! Of course, don’t expect any of this to occur overnight!

A lawyer can help in the demand letter and the negotiations process

If you have a small case or claim. Your lawyer will likely not want to go to trial because this can be costly and time-consuming. Going to court also has an uncertain outcome. Expect your lawyer to send the defendant’s lawyer a demand letter or negotiate with his or her (defendant) insurance company.

Injury lawsuit goes to court

You and your lawyer litigate when you file a personal injury lawsuit in a court. Just remember that your case starts the minute you file a lawsuit. You may be waiting for up to two years before you ever see a jury or judge. The average waiting period is one year. Just make sure to file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations.

Discovery phase

This is when you find out the defendant’s side of the case and vice versa. You’ll be interrogated by the defendant’s lawyers and you may even be asked to participate in a deposition. The discovery phase is from six months to one year. It depends on the nature and complexity of the case.

At the mediation and negotiation, official talks on the claim or case occur. If this does not seem agreeable, then the last stage of the trial starts. Your case will go to court if neither side can agree on a settlement amount out of court.

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