Hiring a Lawyer
Consulting an experienced personal injury lawyer is often the most essential step of the personal injury case, which may determine your potential claim’s success. After hiring an attorney, your lawyer may discuss your legal options and may begin to investigate the accident and gather evidence to support your claim.
Pre-Lawsuit Negotiations
Before filing a lawsuit, your lawyer may negotiate with the insurance adjuster to settle your claim without the need for filing a lawsuit, especially in cases where your injuries are relatively minor, and the other party’s liability is clear.
Filing a Lawsuit
Unless the insurer agrees to a settlement, your lawyer may then file a personal injury lawsuit to seek any compensation you may be entitled to. Depending on the nature of your accident, each state establishes legal time limits, called a statute of limitations, which sets forth the time frame you have in which to file any potential lawsuit.
Discovery Phase
After filing a lawsuit, the discovery phase will generally begin. Your attorney will request evidence and information from the other party or their insurer while answering questions and requests for information or evidence received from the other party.
Settlement/Trial
After the discovery phase ends, your lawyer may negotiate with the other party or insurer to potentially reach a settlement and avoid trial. This negotiation phase may involve offers and counteroffers between the sides until a settlement is reached. If the insurer does not agree to an acceptable compromise, your lawyer may take your case to trial.
