What Are the Steps in a Personal Injury Claim?
– General Guidance from Bossier City’s Leading Personal Injury Lawyer
Watch television for any length of time and you will see a commercial from a well-dressed lawyer talking about personal injuries. When a large case is won, the news may showcase the millions of dollars the Plaintiff gained. You may wonder what really happens in those cases. Do people get that much money in compensation? Is it really that simple?
Personal injury is nothing to sneeze at. People who have been hurt in an accident may face years of pain and recovery. However, the process is not as simple as filing a claim one day and going to court in a month. In fact, quite often, these cases are settled out of court. It is imperative that you seek the services of a personal injury attorney like David L. White if you have been injured. He will fight hard to get you a fair settlement so that you can get back to living your life.
8 Steps in a Typical Personal Injury Case
We hope you are never involved in an accident. The effects can be devastating and long lasting. If you are injured, here are the general steps in a typical personal injury case:
- You should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Before a claim is filed, it is imperative that you seek treatment for injuries. Even if you think you are fine, it pays to visit your doctor to ensure things are okay. Failing to visit a doctor may hamper your case later.
- Consult with a personal injury attorney. It’s a good idea to discuss your situation, the events of the injury, and what has happened since your accident. Your lawyer can discuss your options and help you determine your next steps.
- Your medical records and police reports will be reviewed. Now begins the investigation portion. Your personal injury attorney will interview you, pull your files and related bills, and police reports.
- Your attorney considers making a demand for compensation and starts negotiating. When you reach the point of maximum medical improvement (MMI), your attorney will reach out to the other party or their attorney with a demand for compensation. They should wait until you reach MMI to have a better idea of how much your case may be worth, so you are not shortchanged with your healing and treatment process.
- A personal injury lawsuit is filed. If your case cannot be settled with the demand package, then you and your attorney may opt to file a lawsuit in the Louisiana courts. This does not mean you will go to trial right away, but the countdown has begun.
- The discovery phase begins. Once a lawsuit has been filed, both parties will start the process of discovering what happened. There will be many questions and document requests from both sides. Witnesses may be called in for depositions.
- Mediation and negotiation may happen. Now that each party has had an opportunity to gather facts, the lawyers will talk about settling. It may be necessary to go to a neutral third-party mediator to resolve the case.
- If all else fails, a trial will be held. When negotiations break down, the parties will then go before the court for resolution. Keep in mind that it is possible to have your date rescheduled several times, but that doesn’t mean things are not favorable for you. It is often changed because of a conflict in schedules.
Protect Yourself after a Personal Injury – Contact David L. White
Get the help you need after an accident when you call the team at David L. White. We work with you to get the best results for your case and ensure you and your family get what you deserve to continue healing and make a strong recovery.
Contact your personal injury attorney in Bossier City to find out more. Give us a call at 318-747-7023.
