What Should I Expect In A Personal Injury Case?
Getting a personal injury case settled or tried is a process. First, hire a lawyer you like and trust. Let us sit down with you and go over the case with you. There is no obligation, and who you choose to represent you is totally up to you. When we are retained as your lawyer, here is what we do:
- Investigate the accident
- Obtain all medical records and bills related to your injury;
- Determine all insurance coverage and policy limits that are available to you;
- Communicate with the insurance company (or companies) involved in the case;
- Protect you from bill collectors, healthcare providers, and lien holders
- Present a settlement proposal to the insurance company or companies.
If we cannot settle your claim, we then will file a civil action in the appropriate court. Filing a lawsuit usually results in a delay in your recovery and, for that reason, we try to avoid filing. Lawsuits normally take 12-18 months from the filing date. The case can and often does settle before trial. When a case is filed, the process is as follows:
- File a complaint
- Defendant(s) file an answer;
- Exchange of information (discovery)
- Depositions
- Trial
We of course are in contact with you throughout this process. We want you to be involved in the key decision-making. No one wants to believe that they could experience a serious personal injury. But for thousands of people throughout Ohio, this is an everyday reality. If you or your child is one of these people, Beausay & Nichols Law Firm can help you. At our personal injury law firm in Columbus, we guide clients through the process of filing a personal injury claim, from beginning to end. We will explain every step to you, keep you informed about your case, and fight to recover maximum compensation for your damages. On this page, we will go over the basics of what you can expect from your personal injury case.
- Meeting With An Attorney
- Filing The Paperwork
- Discovery
- Pretrial Motions
- Settlement Or Trial
The very first step in a personal injury claim is to hire a reputable, trustworthy lawyer like the ones at Beausay & Nichols Law Firm. In your free consultation, we will discuss the accident and your injuries. We will determine whether you have a case, and then we will proceed to the next step. Then, we will file a complaint, or petition, with the court. These are the official documents that outline your case against the defendant. These papers state the facts of your case, including when, where and how the injury occurred. In discovery, each side gathers facts and evidence about the case. This may include written statements, depositions, medical records or other important documents. This step allows each party to discover as much evidence as possible to support their case. Before the case goes to trial, the other side may file a motion to have the case dismissed due to lack of evidence, lack of jurisdiction or another reason. If the judge denies the motion, then our case will proceed to court. Many times, we can settle your case out of court. The benefit of this is that it usually takes less time and less money. But if the other party does not offer a settlement that we feel is fair, then we will go to trial. A judge or jury will issue a decision regarding the case, including how much compensation, if any, the other side must pay.
Get A Free Consultation On What To Expect
These steps can seem overwhelming, but they do not have to be. With us on your side, we will provide the reassuring counsel you need. Schedule a free consultation to speak to one of our attorneys at 614-529-3476 or by filling out our contact form.
