Have you suffered an injury through the actions of another person or entity? You might consider filing a personal injury lawsuit to hold them accountable. Many of those that have been injured don’t realize you have only so much time to file a lawsuit from the date of injury. But how long will it take to see results if you do decide to file a personal injury lawsuit?
Keep reading for a quick breakdown of the typical personal injury lawsuit timeline so you know.
A Breakdown of the Typical Personal Injury Lawsuit Timeline
Are you interested in the personal injury lawsuit process? Here are the four main steps.
1. Hire a Lawyer to Negotiate Before Filing a Lawsuit
The first step in a personal injury lawsuit is to hire a lawyer to review your claim. They may try to settle your case with the accused party before filing the lawsuit. Most lawyers will not take on a case unless you have reached the point of maximum medical improvement (MMI), or when you’ve recovered as much as you can.
2. Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit and Discovery
If your lawyer cannot negotiate a settlement, they will file the lawsuit and begin the discovery process. It is the process of collecting evidence to defend or refute a lawsuit.
Discovery involves the sending and answering of interrogatories as well as depositions. This can take between 6 months and 1 year.
3. Mediation and Negotiation
Once the discovery process ends, your lawyer will attempt to negotiate a settlement again. Your lawyer may try doing it lawyer-to-lawyer or through a court-appointed mediator.
4. Trial and Settlement
If you cannot come to an agreement during mediation, then your personal injury case will go to trial. The trial itself can last anywhere from a day up to a few weeks. It depends on how soon you can get your case before a judge and how many times it gets rescheduled.
After you reach a settlement agreement, you will receive your settlement funds in a lump sum or as a part of structured settlements. Talk with your attorney to figure out what’s your best option.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Lawsuit Take?
Once you understand the personal injury lawsuit process, you can estimate how long it will take for the suit to finish. Most personal injury lawsuits take anywhere from a few months up to a couple of years to resolve. That’s if no other problems prolong the process.
The three most common reasons a personal injury claim will take longer than expected are:
- Difficulty proving liability and damages
- Cases that involve a large amount of money
- The plaintiff has not reached the point of MMI
If you know your case will involve any of these issues, expect it to take a least 6 months longer than a standard personal injury suit. Dealing with a lawsuit is never easy, especially when you’re hurt. Hire an attorney that is well equipped with the experience and reputation you need to get the results you deserve.
Perry & Young is a nationally recognized personal injury, wrongful death, car accident, & commercial trucking accident law firm that has cultivated a reputation for our ability to successfully resolve even the most challenging cases. Over 35 years of experience, our award-winning team has secured multi-hundreds of millions in numerous verdicts and settlements for clients across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and all over the country. Learn more about our services, your potential case and rights, and how we can help by calling (850) 215-7777 for a FREE consultation.
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