Personal Injury Cases Going to Court
If you’re involved in a personal injury case which goes to court, you can expect the trial to last between a couple of days and a couple of weeks. That being said, it’s very uncommon for a personal injury case to actually go to court, as most cases are usually settled outside of court. While it is very common for a claimant to accept the first offer made by the insurance company, should they reject the offer the claimant could then file a lawsuit and begin pre-trial discovery.
There is usually a lot of negotiation, and possibly mediation, prior to a case going to court. Most of the time both parties will try to avoid going to court and therefore work to find an agreeable settlement offer. The settlement negotiations can continuously occur all the way up to the actual court date which is typically between one to two years following the accident.
So, while the personal injury trial itself may take less than a couple of weeks, it could take years for the case to even get to court. The majority of cases are usually resolved between two and twelve months following the accident.
How Long Personal Injury Cases Take
If your personal injury case doesn’t make it to trial, it is likely to end somewhere along the way in the form of a settlement. The time it takes for a settlement can vary greatly, especially if the claimant doesn’t accept the initial offer. If the initial offer isn’t accepted, often because of a “lowball” offer, the claimant can begin negotiations for a better settlement offer. Usually, negotiations will begin before a lawsuit is even filed.
Filing a lawsuit can cause the personal injury case to take much longer but it’s generally the best way to ensure the insurance company takes your case seriously. Once you’ve filed a lawsuit you can expect a response in about 3 months on average. Also note, the more severe the injuries, the longer the case usually takes.
To ensure the process goes smoothly, and as quickly as possible, and you receive the settlement amount you deserve, it’s advisable to seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney to help you through the process.
Get the Help You Need on Your Personal Injury Case in New Port Richey, Florida
If you have been injured in an accident the best thing that you can do is to reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney who can provide a more accurate estimate. They will also be able to help explain the process of the suit and the steps that need to be taken to get started.
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