When you are injured and need to seek compensation for your hospital bills or lost income, a personal injury lawsuit may become necessary. Depending on the extent of your injury, you may not have the funds to take on the incoming burden, and holding the person who committed the crime legally responsible and accountable can reduce financial and emotional stress.
However, suing another party is complicated, and the process can belong. To ensure you are adequately prepared for your case, follow these steps to overcome this legal obstacle.
How to Successfully Prepare for Your Personal Injury Trial
Trails can last months before a verdict is reached, so you must prepare for the length of the trial as well as the money and loss of time that involves seeing this through to the end.
Step 1: Go to the Doctor for a Physical and an Injury Report
Without knowing the full extent of your injuries, it will be difficult for you to receive compensation from the defendant. If you did go to the doctor after the accident, you might need to go back and ask for medical records that detail the damages sustained from the incident. Follow all treatment plans outlined by your doctor to ensure the defendant can’t use neglect to devalue your claim.
Step 2: Speak to a Personal Injury Lawyer to Understand Your Options
There are multiple reasons why a personal injury case may go to trial, so you need to check with a lawyer first to ensure you have enough evidence to reach a verdict you’re happy with. Plus, a legal team can walk you through the entire process, gather all necessary paperwork, explain your options if a settlement is offered, and speak to the defendant’s insurance company.
Step 3: Never Do, Post, or Say Anything That May Affect Your Case
While in the process of making a personal injury claim, it’s best to stay off of social media unless you’re prepared for the defendant to use your posts as evidence. All statements used on social media, on the phone with the defendant’s lawyer, or another party present at the time of the accident can be used against you. Specific actions could cause your claim to be dismissed.
Step 4: Gather All Necessary Evidence Immediately After the Accident
The statute of limitations is different for each state, but most states give the accuser 2 years to file lawsuit paperwork and take legal action for a personal injury case. As soon as you are able, gather all evidence, documents, and information related to your trial, including anything related to the negligent party, like insurance, driver’s license, and a copy of the police report.
Step 5: Communicate With Your Lawyer Regularly During Proceedings
Keep communicating with your lawyer throughout the trial to ensure both parties are updated on the trial’s proceedings, evidence, and all new developments. It’s crucial to be transparent and consistent because your situation can change at any time. Your legal team is there to help you through this trial and is available to answer any questions and provide you with peace of mind.
Step 6: Consider Whether You Want to Accept a Settlement
A settlement is a formal agreement that ends a legal dispute. A defendant’s legal team may ask for a settlement if they want to avoid trial, usually to avoid a guilty verdict or prevent a lengthy trial process. However, settlements aren’t always ideal, as the defendant will almost always give a compensation amount less than what the accuser asks for if the case goes to trial.
However, sometimes a settlement is worth it for the accuser. It’s best to ask your legal team to determine what an acceptable offer looks like, but this offer should typically include lost wages, medical expenses. You may want to add non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.
Interesting Related Article: “What Happens During a Personal Injury Lawsuit“