Personal injury cases are some of the most common types of cases in Los Angeles. Whether you’ve been hurt in car, bike, construction, or traffic accident, you have the right to recover damages from the party at fault.
The timeline for each case varies on a number of factors including the time it takes for medical treatment and investigation. Keeping this in mind, below is a sample timeline of what you could expect with a personal injury case.
Steps in a Personal Injury Case
The Accident
Victim gets injured in an accident. Personal injury accidents include but are not limited to car, bus, motorcycle, electric scooter, or a train accident. Medical malpractice also falls under the personal injury category.
Seeking Medical Treatment
One of the first things you need to do after an accident is to seek appropriate medical attention. Visit your primary care physical or the emergency room, if necessary. Your physician will access and document your injuries. Most importantly, he or she can provide treatment options to help you heal as soon as possible.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
It’s important that you seek professional legal assistance from a personal injury law firm as soon as possible. Early communication will allow your attorney to get a better idea of your specific situation and start your personal injury claims.
Investigation
Your personal injury attorney will spend weeks or months gathering facts related to your case. These facts include information about the accident itself and the results of your medical treatments.
Settlement Negotiations
Once all facts related to your claim has been compiled, a claim package will be sent to the opposing party. This claim package will include a demand and opening negotiations. Although negotiations can take up weeks or months, many personal injury cases are resolved during this phase.
A formal settlement agreement will be drafted if a settlement has been reached. Terms of the settlement and details of the compensation will be included. Both parties will sign the settlement agreement.
However, if settlement negotiations unsuccessful, then an alternative dispute resolution process such as mediation may be used. It is also possible, though unlikely, that the personal injury case will go to civil trial. If the case does go to trial, your personal injury attorney will tell you about the necessary steps to take so that you are best prepared for court. A jury will hear the evidence presented and will decide on the outcome of your case.
The unpredictability of a jury’s decision and potential for winner-takes-all result are the main reasons why most personal injury cases don’t go to trial.
Consult with a Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of someone else, you have the right to claim damages against the party at fault. An experienced personal injury lawyer at Mesriani Law Group can help you with your personal injury accident claims. Contact us today to see how we can help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
