The Personal Injury Legal Process Explained

One thing that is a total mystery to most prospective personal injury plaintiffs when they first contact an attorney is the legal process itself. If you are considering hiring an attorney for personal injury in Bradenton, FL, the following is a summary of the personal injury lawsuit process from start to finish

Initial Consultation with a Lawyer

This meeting is to let you feel the lawyer out regarding your case and for the lawyer to get a sense of what you would be like as a client. The lawyer can also tell you if you have a major personal injury claim (where you miss work for more than a couple of days, you are seriously injured or your medical bills are more than a couple of thousand dollars) or one that is smaller and may be able to be settled by you out of court.

Investigation

The next phase is your lawyer investigating what happened to you, your background, your medical condition, and treatment. Your lawyer and staff will interview you extensively and it is important you be as truthful and complete as you can.

Your medical records will also be collected and reviewed. Based on the data in them, your lawyer will determine if you have a case.

Demand, Negotiate and File

Depending on how strong your lawyer thinks your case is, they may make a demand to the attorney of the person or organization that caused your injury. In some cases, they will contact the other side’s insurance company. If discussions with the defendant’s side do not yield a settlement or if your injuries are such that permanent disability is likely, they will file a lawsuit on your behalf.

Discovery

This part of the process is when both sides take a look at what the other is alleging or claiming and what their defenses are. This process can last anywhere from weeks to over a year, depending on the complexity of the case.

Mediation

Once discovery passes, your lawyer will discuss your case with the other side; they will also discuss settlement numbers. If those talks do not work, they may enter into mediation to try and have a third party come up with a suitable settlement for all involved.

Trial

If mediation does not work, the case is scheduled for trial. A trial can last anywhere from days to weeks, depending on the details of the case.

In a nutshell, that is the process your attorney for personal injury in Bradenton FL, will follow. Of course, through all of it, they will keep you informed of the status of your case and advise you of what they recommend is the best approach to win it.