Your Personal Injury Case - The Trial Attorneys Step by Step Guide
If you’re here, chances are you’re considering a personal injury lawsuit, or maybe life just threw you a curveball in the form of an accident or injury. First off, take a deep breath. We know this can be a daunting time, but we’re here to break down the process from start to finish in a way that won’t make you want to hit the snooze button. Let’s dive into what your journey through the legal maze of a personal injury lawsuit will look like, shall we?
The "Oh No!" Moment
This is where it all begins. You've had an accident or discovered an injury that's not your fault. It could be a slip on a banana peel at your local grocery store or a car accident caused by someone else's Sunday driving on a Monday morning rush. Your first step? Take care of yourself. Your health is the VIP in this scenario.
The Official Handshake
Decided to move forward with your case? Awesome, we're officially a team now! This is the part where you sign on the dotted line, and we start prepping for battle (legally speaking, of course). We'll handle the heavy lifting from here, like dealing with paperwork, writing a demand, filing a lawsuit, and telling your story to the other party's representatives.
The "Let's Talk It Out" Stage
Most personal injury cases don't end up in a courtroom drama worthy of a TV special. Instead, they're often settled out of court. This could involve mediation or arbitration, where both sides try to reach a happy medium. Think of it as a less time consuming, less expensive and less stressful approach to resolving your case.
The Resolution
Whether it's a settlement or a trial verdict, this is where your journey usually ends. You'll find out the outcome of your case be compensated for harms and losses suffered. This will involve finalizing paperwork and distributing funds. Our clients are usually surprised to learn that compensation received from personal injury lawsuits are tax free!
The "Do I Have a Case?" Conundrum
Here's where you get to play detective. Start gathering evidence like photos, witness contacts, and any records related to your injury. Then, it's time to consult with a personal injury lawyer (yep, that's us!). We'll chat about what happened, look over your evidence, and give you the lowdown on whether you've got a case. This part's usually free, so think of it as legal advice on the house.
The Discovery Phase
Not to be confused with the TV channel, this phase is all about discovery, as in both sides exchange info and evidence. It's a bit like showing your cards in a game of poker, but with legal documents like interrogatories (fancy word for written questions), requests for production of documents, requests for admissions and depositions. This is where we show the other side know we mean business and spell out the high risk to them if we go to trial.
The Trial
If talking it out doesn't work, it's time for trial. This is where things get real, and you'll see us in action, arguing your case in front of a judge or jury. It's a bit like the show Suits but with less over-the-top antics.