While it is true that every personal injury case is unique, it is also true that there are some aspects that are similar. Today we will cover the basics steps involved in most personal injury cases. If you have been involved in a car accident or other type of accident, read on to learn the steps involved. Then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
Step 1: Hire an Attorney
First and foremost, you should hire a personal injury attorney who can help you. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker we are standing by to do just that. We will review the details of your case and determine what the likely compensation will be from the at-fault party. If you have a valid claim, then we will work for you on a contingency basis, which means you will not be responsible for legal fees until we recover through a verdict or settlement.
Step 2: File an Insurance Claim
In most cases, you will need to file the claim against the insurance company of the at-fault party. Once the claim is filed, the insurance company will assign an insurance adjuster to the case. They will be in charge of gathering evidence for the case and they will be the person your attorney negotiates with.
Step 3: Filing a Lawsuit
If the insurance company agrees to pay your claim then the process will end with them writing you a check. However, if they decide not to then a lawsuit will need to be filed. Note that this does not meant your case will go to court – only a small fraction of personal injury cases do. However, your attorney should be willing to take this step if necessary.
Step 4: Discovery and Pre-Trial Motions
This process involves both side of the lawsuit sharing their evidence with each other. There are also depositions and interrogatories in addition to the document production requests. Both sides will likely file a number of motions, including motions asking to have evidence excluded, for the case to be dismissed, etc.
Step 5: The Trial
There will likely be another round of negotiations after the discovery process but if the insurance company is still unwilling to offer a fair settlement, then the case will go trial. This begins with both attorneys making an opening statement and then each side presents their evidence. When both sides are done, the judge directs the jury to deliberate.
Step 6: The Verdict
The jury will either rule for the defendant or the plaintiff. If they rule for you, they will be responsible for paying a certain amount of compensation. This amount will be partially based on your level of fault, if any.
This is a simplified version of what you can expect when you work with a personal injury attorney. If you have additional questions, or you are ready for a free legal consultation, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000.
