In the days, weeks, and months following your injury, every moment counts. Between seeking medical treatment, going through the recovery process, consulting with a personal injury attorney, and fighting to get the compensation you deserve for your injury, it is a busy time. At Roberts Law Office, we help you navigate through the personal injury process so you can recover quickly without worrying about managing your case. The following are seven common steps to any personal injury case.
Get Medical Treatment
When you are injured, you need to get medical treatment. Take a trip to your doctor as soon as possible to get your injury looked at. Your doctor should review your injury and give you a diagnosis and treatment plan. It is essential that you follow through with the treatment plan provided by the doctor. It will help you throughout your case. If you do not seek medical treatment or delay the process, there might be an assumption that you were not actually hurt.
Get a Lawyer
Once you get medical treatment, you need to consult with a personal injury attorney to help you navigate through your case. It is essential that you work with a lawyer who is experienced in this field. Talk to a few attorneys to see who you feel most comfortable with handling your claim, and once you make the decision, he or she will begin representing you.
Lawyer Investigates
Now that you have a lawyer representing you, he or she will communicate with you about the accident, your background, your medical condition, and medical treatment.
After getting all of your information from you, your lawyer will review your medical records and bills related to the case along with any similar conditions. Once all of your information is considered, your lawyer will determine if you are eligible to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.
Lawyer Negotiates
If possible, your lawyer will try to settle your case. If not, he or she will file a lawsuit.
If your claim involves a severe or permanent injury, your case likely will not be settled. However, if it is a more straightforward case, it is sometimes better to settle in advance.
Your lawyer will generally wait until you have reached your maximum medical improvement (MMI) before making a financial demand. Your MMI is determined when your medical treatment has ended, and once you have reached your MMI, your lawyer knows how much compensation to request from the at-fault party. If you go to trial before your MMI is determined, your case could be undervalued.
Lawsuit and Discovery Process
Next, your lawyer will file the lawsuit. Keep in mind that this can take up to two years. The discovery process allows both parties to investigate the other party’s claims and defenses. During this time, interrogatories (questions for the other party) and depositions (statements under oath before trial) are taken.
Mediation and Negotiation
It is during this time that the lawyers discuss whether the case should go to trial. Sometimes they can settle together, and other times, both sides have to go through mediation to settle the case.
Trial
If mediation is not successful, your personal injury case will go to trial. A trial can last between a day to longer than a week, depending on the complexity of your case.
At Roberts Law Office, we understand that the time after you are injured can be difficult. That is why we work diligently to ensure we handle all legal matters so you can focus on your recovery. Do not go through this process alone. Schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys today.