Anyone who has sustained a personal injury might be confused about the legal process that accompanies filing a claim for fair compensation. Personal injury claims are never simple or easy. It is important to understand the answers to five of the most common questions about the legal process.
How Long Can the Process Take?
The length of the legal process for personal injury cases can vary greatly. It can take several weeks to gather the evidence and paperwork needed to start the process. If a case involves insurance companies, then it can take anywhere from one to two additional months for the company to reply. A realistic range is from one month to six months in many cases. By keeping good track of paperwork and medical bills, you can help speed on the process by not wasting any time finding documents you may need.
Do All Cases Go to Trial?
Personal injury claims do not always go to trial. Several steps from the initial meeting with a lawyer to discovery will happen before a trial date is set. The client will also have to give a deposition during this time. The reality is that the vast majority of personal injury cases are settled outside of the courts through negotiations between attorneys.
Is a Lawyer Necessary?
Some people who are injured might think it is possible to negotiate directly with an insurance company or the responsible party. This should never be done. It is always important to talk to lawyer after sustaining a personal injury. Going without an attorney could lead to a very low settlement or no settlement at all, so finding a personal injury attorney you can trust is essential. A lawyer will protect personal rights, avoid legal mistakes and pursue the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Are There Different Types Of Personal Injury Claims?
No two personal injury cases are the same. Many different types of personal injury lawsuits can be filed. It is important to choose a lawyer with experience handling the specific injury sustained. Auto accidents, product liability cases and medical malpractice cases are all very different and involve different areas of the law. An attorney will know what type of case to file.
How Is Monetary Compensation Determined?
Monetary compensation is determined by looking at the expenses that were accrued in order to recover from the injury. This could mean past, present and future medical bills or repairs to property. It also often includes lost wages. Some attorneys can include pain and suffering. Compensation amounts will vary based on individual factors.
The most important thing to do after a personal injury is to talk to a lawyer. A lawyer will advocate for a fair settlement and preserve personal rights. They also have experience with local laws that might be unique to your case. An attorney can make getting fair compensation for an injury much easier.
This article is courtesy of Anita Ginsburg, a freelance writer from Denver who often writes about home, family, law and business. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family when she isn’t writing.
