A personal injury has ripple effects that can last for years to come – from health issues to lost wages. If you pursue a lawsuit to obtain compensation for your personal injury, you can expect your lawsuit to be broken down into six stages:
1. Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury claim has many moving parts that demand the expertise of a lawyer. Your personal injury lawyer can file paperwork, pursue witnesses, collect evidence, and present your case before a judge. Hiring a lawyer can drastically increase your chance of receiving full compensation for your injury.
2. Gather All Information
Before your lawyer presents your case to a judge, he will gather all information related to the accident. This may include a police report, medical evaluations, eye-witness recollections, and security camera footage. During this stage, your personal injury lawyer can determine how much compensation is sufficient for your injury.
3. Pursue Alternative Dispute Resolutions
Many personal injury cases do not go to trial, rather, they are settled via alternative dispute resolutions such as negotiation or arbitration. Many clients choose to pursue these types of settlement attempts because they are cost-effective and legally binding.
4. Go to Trial
If an agreement cannot be made during a settlement attempt, your personal injury lawyer will prepare for trial. Therefore, it’s extremely important to hire an attorney who has trial experience and will not pressure you to accept a settlement offer that is insufficient. The Clark, Smith & Sizemore attorneys will pursue trial to ensure the best possible outcome for our client.
5. Issue Verdict
After hearing both sides of the case, the judge or jury will determine a verdict. It’s important to note that the losing side may appeal the verdict. Your attorney will need to navigate this appeal to ensure you receive compensation.
6. Collect Payment
After the case and possible appeals are settled, you can collect payment that was awarded to you by the judge or jury. In most cases, you are given the option to receive payment monthly or collect your money all at once.