Your Guide to the Personal Injury Lawsuit Timeline

When you’ve been hit with a harmful or neglectful act, you want justice. Committing to a personal injury lawsuit requires a certain degree of patience, though.

How long does a personal injury lawsuit take to complete?

The personal injury lawsuit timeline is longer than you might expect. Before you sign your life away, make sure that you have enough time to commit to these proceedings.

What does the personal injury lawsuit timeline look like? Here’s everything that you need to know.

Investigating the Claim 

When investigating a personal injury claim, it is important to have knowledge of the personal injury lawsuit timeline. Firstly, the injured person or their legal representation must investigate the case and build a strong case.

Secondly, the claimant must gather evidence and secure witnesses in support of the claim. Thirdly, their attorney can negotiate with the defendant and their attorneys on the amount. Fourthly, if a settlement is not reached, a lawsuit is then filed in civil court.

After the claim is filed, the discovery phase begins, where evidence is exchanged and depositions are taken of the parties involved. Then the trial phase begins where both sides present their cases and if the jury is in favor of the claimant, the award is given. 

Knowing Your Rights in the Courtroom

Generally speaking, a person who has been injured needs to first determine their rights in the courtroom. The plaintiff in a personal injury case will have to make decisions about what financial and/or other damages they are seeking and how to best pursue their claim.

Additionally, any witnesses and/or other pieces of evidence should be gathered as soon as possible and kept organized. Depending on the jurisdiction, a claim may need to be filed within a certain time-frame, which will generally include meeting each jurisdiction’s statute of limitations.

After the filing of the claim, evidence may need to sent to the defendant and discovery can commence. If the matter goes to trial, the court always upholds the rights of all parties to be heard and considered equally regardless of race, gender, religion or any other factors. 

Negotiating a Settlement 

Negotiating a settlement for a personal injury lawsuit is a lengthy process, though it doesn’t have to be. Generally, both parties will need to disclose certain information and negotiate terms.

Negotiations may take weeks, or even months, where the lawyer and the at fault party’s insurance company negotiate the settlement. After the lawyer and the insurance company agree to settlement terms, both parties must sign the settlement agreement and the case is closed.

Appealing the Decision 

This can be done by writing a formal brief, which will be submitted to the relevant appellate court. The brief must include concise arguments that summarize the aspects of the case that should be altered or overturned.

After the court’s review, the plaintiff will receive a written opinion from the court outlining their decision. During this process, the plaintiff will have chances to respond to legal requests, objections, and evidence presented by the other party. Consult a personal injury attorney from Las Vegas for legal assistance.

All About a Personal Injury Lawsuit Timeline

Overall, the personal injury lawsuit timeline can be tricky and complex. It is important to understand the entire process to ensure a positive outcome. If you need more personalized guidance, contact an experienced personal injury attorney today.

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