The personal injury lawsuit process begins when you meet with an attorney, and they open up an investigation into the incident you were hurt in. Your Marietta personal injury lawyer will likely attempt to resolve your case without litigation by drafting a demand package. This package will include a letter outlining the facts of the accident and your injuries.
If a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Learning about how the personal injury lawsuit process works will help you support your attorney and ensure you make smart legal decisions throughout the process.
Let’s take a closer look at the steps involved in filing a personal injury suit.
Discovery is an Important Step in the Personal Injury Lawsuit Process
If you are working with a personal injury attorney to file a lawsuit, you should know that one of the first steps in the legal process is known as discovery. During discovery, both sides exchange and gather evidence to build their cases. This stage ensures transparency, giving each party access to important information.
Your attorney will identify and request specific evidence to support your claim. This process often requires the parties involved in the lawsuit to give depositions under oath. Your lawyer will guide you through this step of the process and answer any questions you have about your case.
Legal Motions Could Play a Role in Your Case
Before a case moves to trial, attorneys on both sides have the opportunity to file legal motions, which are formal requests for the court to make decisions on specific issues. One example of a motion is a motion to change venue. This is a request to move the case to a different court if the current location is deemed unfair or inconvenient for the plaintiff or defendant.
Your lawyer will advise you if filing a motion is necessary for your unique situation. Schedule a free consultation with an attorney today to learn more about how the personal injury lawsuit process works and how motions might play a role in your case.
Understanding the Personal Injury Lawsuit Trial Process
If your case proceeds to trial, both sides will present their arguments and evidence before a court. Your lawyer will prepare you for the trial and represent you during all courtroom proceedings. Here are some of the steps to expect from the personal injury lawsuit trial process:
- Opening Statements: During opening statements, both parties present an overview of the evidence and arguments they intend to use during the trial.
- Witness Testimony: At this stage in the personal injury lawsuit process, both sides have the opportunity to call on witnesses to provide testimony. Testimony might include expert opinions or firsthand accounts of the incident.
- Cross–Examination: Attorneys could cross-examine witnesses to challenge their credibility, clarify their testimony, or expose weaknesses in the statement they made.
- Closing Statements: During closing statements, both parties summarize their case and restate important pieces of evidence to persuade the court to rule in their favor.
- Jury Deliberation: Once closing statements have been made, the jury reviews the evidence and deliberates privately to reach a decision on the case.
- The Verdict: Once deliberations have concluded, the verdict will be presented. If the court rules in your favor, you’ll receive the damages you deserve to cover your medical bills and other losses.
Receiving Damages from a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you are successful at trial, you’ll receive money for the injuries, medical bills, and other losses you’ve suffered. The damages you receive from your suit depend on the financial losses and non-economic struggles caused by the accident.
Before your attorney begins the personal injury lawsuit process, they’ll work directly with you to determine which damages you’re owed. Common personal injury damages include:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy costs
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
These damages will make a world of difference in your life after a serious accident. That said, getting these damages is difficult without a skilled attorney. Hire a lawyer today to learn more about how the personal injury lawsuit process works and get the representation you deserve to file a winning suit.
Get Started on Your Personal Injury Lawsuit Today
At Jones & Swanson, we understand how difficult it is to move forward with your life after a bad accident. Injuries make it hard for you to pursue damages, and the complex legal process often stops accident victims from getting the damages they deserve.
Luckily, the Marietta personal injury lawyers at our firm are here to represent you and fight for a fair verdict. We have over 50 years of combined experience handling cases like yours, so you’ll feel confident that we have the skills and knowledge required to recover money for you.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and get started on your case.
