Clearing Up The Uncertainty: The Personal Injury Process
Posted on: 23 September 2017
If you have been injured in a car accident and it was the fault of the other driver, you may be experiencing some confusing and stressful days. As if dealing with your injuries were not bad enough, you may also begin to feel the financial pinch of missing work and the increased budget woes that can come with such a big event. It may help you to deal with your situation by knowing what might lie ahead for you, so read on to get an idea of the personal injury process in simplified terms.
Get Legal Representation
If you've decided that you need some help getting through this process, you are to be congratulated on your wisdom. Many personal injury attorneys will get started on your case with no upfront money required, so don't allow your financial situation to prevent you from seeking help.
Send a Demand Letter
This letter comes prior to filing suit, and it summarizes your case for the other side. It will contain a list of your money damages so far, and it will state why you were not at fault for the accident. Since both sides will want to avoid going to court due to the time and expense required, the demand letter could open up the door for settlement negotiations to begin.
File a Lawsuit
If the demands are not met, a formal lawsuit will be filed in court. The other side will receive a copy and will be put on notice of your intentions to seek a certain amount of compensation.
Discovery
Before the trial begins, both sides of the lawsuit take part in a sharing of information about the case. This can consist of question-and-answer documents called interrogatories and a meeting of all parties known as a deposition. During the deposition, all parties are questioned under oath and anything said during this meeting could be used in the eventual trial.
The Trial Begins
In some locales, a judge presides over the court case without a jury, and in some cases a jury is vetted and installed. Both sides will have the opportunity to present their cases by calling witnesses and submitting evidence, such as photographs and medical records, to the court.
The Verdict or Judgment
After both sides have had their turns, the judge or the jury will render a verdict for money damages. If you have prevailed, an order will be issued for you to be paid. If not, you will be given an opportunity to appeal the verdict.
Speak to a personal injury attorney, like those represented at http://www.bangelaw.com, to learn more.
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