Resolving A Personal Injury Claim With The Jury
All personal injury cases are unique because the circumstances that lead to them can never be the same. However, once you decide to file a claim, you should expect to undergo some similar experiences across the board. You should do some research before filing and understand how to handle the claim as the plaintiff. It is also great to check how the discovery process, where both parties get to ask each other for evidence as well as witness information, goes and likely case outcomes when the case goes to trial. Here is everything you need to know about these injury claims.
Get an Attorney
The first step in the process is getting legal representation. It is crucial to understand that if you do not have enough evidence to support your claim, your case will not go far, regardless of the level of damage you have suffered. If your losses are more than the local claim limits, you should consider involving a lawyer. On the other hand, if your claim is less than this amount, it is best to settle it out of court as it will cost less. However, always allow the lawyer to assess the case and determine its viability. You can then sign an agreement about their fee before they start the process.
File and Serve the Complaint
After establishing that you have a legitimate case, your lawyer as the accuser will file a personal injury complaint through the civil court. The complaint is usually the first official document of the case. The lawyer will explain in detail what you are alleging happened. It includes what the perpetrator did and how it hurt the plaintiff. After filing, the legal system gives you a month to find the defendant and serve them with the papers. You should deliver the documents in a way that ensures the defendant cannot claim they did not see them.
Go Through the Trial and Settlement
Both sides appear in court and inform the judge on how the case is proceeding. They can also agree or disagree on the possibility of arbitration. The trial starts if both parties cannot agree to an out-of-court settlement. The jury will determine if the offender is liable and how much they should pay. Once they arrive at a decision, the suspect can get orders from the judge to make a settlement.
It is best to hire a lawyer immediately after you suffer the injury. They can guide you through the process and determine the best procedure to follow for a settleme.
To discover more about how to resolve a personal injury claim, contact a lawyer near you.