I have a Personal Injury Legal Case, what’s next?

You should identify a lawyer who will represent you. It cannot be just any lawyer. Please read more about this topic in this section.

The facts surrounding each personal injury are unique. It is hard to know the length of time necessary to see a case to resolution or the nature of the resolution. 

Let’s review the possible steps of a personal injury case.

No-Cost Legal Consultation

This initial consultation can help you identify the experienced lawyer you want to handle your case. The law office examines the facts regarding your case. The information that you provide may include:

Where, when, and how did the personal injury accident happen?

What injuries did you or your loved one suffer?

Everything is considered to make sure that there is a case. This is a good time to share with the lawyer any other information that you think is important.

Initial Research

If mobility is impaired because of medical or logistical reasons, the lawyer might visit you. Information can also be exchanged by phone, mail or email. If the lawyer visits you, he she might take the documents related to your case including accident reports, police reports and medical records. These documents will help the lawyer begin the investigation phase of your accident and injuries.

Investigation

A careful investigation of your personal injury case is critical. 

The investigation might include police reports, accident reports, witness statements, and photographs. 

The investigation process continues as the case proceeds.  The lawyer might retain experts to help him her present the case effectively.  Experts may be necessary to reconstruct an auto accident, identify building code violations, or determine if a product was defective.   

Pre-Suit

During the pre-suit process, the lawyer work to assemble materials related to the case including medical records and other information about the injury.  Here the focus shifts from assessing the viability of the case to managing the case to maximize value. 

In some cases, the person affected by the injury continues to receive medical treatment after the accident.  During the pre-suit process, it is important to maintain the most up-to-date medical, injury and work related information. During the pre-suit process, you should have a phone number and email address to contact you attorney. You should contact your lawyer if necessary.

How much money can I get?

The value of your case depends upon the outcome of your medical treatment and extent of your recovery, as well as the circumstances of the accident.

Litigation

Many cases never reach the litigation stage because they are settled during the pre-suit process.  Sometimes it is necessary to litigate a case when the insurance company does not settle the case for an appropriate value.   

Many claims are settled during the pre-suit process without ever having to file a lawsuit.  Your lawyer might attempt to negotiate with the insurance company or companies involved and reach a satisfactory settlement.  If an acceptable settlement does not happen, litigation is a possible next step.

The litigation process usually involves a process called discovery.  During the discovery process you may be called upon to answer written questions called interrogatories or give testimony known as a deposition. In some cases, it may be necessary to present your claim in court in front of a judge or jury.

Conclusion

After a settlement or verdict, the disbursement process concludes the work of your lawyer.  This process typically involves receiving a check from the insurance company, reviewing and approving the release if necessary, sorting out any lien issues, and then delivering a check to you.