There’s no standard timeline that applies to all personal injury cases; each claim is unique and can vary significantly in duration. Some cases are resolved within a matter of months while others involve complex challenges and eventually go to alternative dispute resolution and litigation.
Below is a general overview of the steps that might take place to resolve a personal injury case:
- You research and hire a law firm to represent you;
- The attorney conducts an investigation to determine the cause of your accident, gather evidence, and prepare for any disputes that might arise;
- Settlement negotiations commence, usually after the claimant has reached maximum medical improvement;
- If a settlement cannot be reached, a lawsuit may be filed;
- Discovery and responses are conducted, possibly including medical examinations and depositions of involved individuals;
- Hired attorneys research and retain expert witnesses, if necessary;
- Expert witnesses conduct investigations, make disclosures of findings, and may be deposed;
- Alternative dispute resolution occurs if negotiations between the parties remain unsuccessful;
- Trial preparation and trial follow; and
- The court rules or the jury issues a verdict at the trial’s conclusion.
