The Process of a Personal Injury Claim Explained

Filing a personal injury claim in Arkansas is a tricky procedure. There are several stages that you have to navigate through to reach an outcome you want. The process of a personal claim begins when you hire an attorney for your case.

Here’s what it looks like.

Investigation & Data Collection

The first thing your attorney will do is interview you and hear your perspective about the accident and the injuries sustained. They’ll ask questions about and related to the incident and will gather relevant information to strengthen your case.

For instance, your attorney will review your medical records relating to the injury, evaluate your expenses since the injury, and search for witnesses who could support your stance.

Filing the Lawsuit

Once your lawyer has obtained sufficient information, they’ll file a personal injury lawsuit in court. This will be done according to the state’s statute of limitations, and your attorney will take care of the complicated paperwork involved.

Hearing the Other Side’s Defenses

Next, you’ll be hearing from the individual or entity you’ve filed a personal injury lawsuit against. Their lawyers will get in touch with you and present their stance on the matter. They’ll also ask you further questions about the case.

Your attorney will do the same with them, getting a clear view of their defenses and claims.

Mediation and Negotiation

Once both parties have established their defenses, there’s room for negotiation. Mediation is a good way to reach an amicable agreement that’s mutually beneficial. This involves consulting a third-party mediator who’ll help both parties reach a settlement. Alternately, negotiations may be done between the two attorneys without requiring a mediation setup.

Settlement

If the negotiation or mediation is successful, you’ll be presented with a settlement offer that compensates you for your personal injury. Most cases are settled at this stage and don’t require further interference from courts. However, settlements should be accepted after careful consideration. Your attorney can help you determine if the offer you’ve been provided with by the opposing party is fair or not.

Trial

If a settlement cannot be reached, your case will go to trial in court. Both parties will present their cases in front of a judge and jury who’ll then decide the outcome. Personal injury trials may last a day or continue over the span of a few weeks, depending on the circumstances.

At the end of the trial, you’ll either receive the compensation you filed for, or the defendant will emerge victorious.

Need help with your personal injury claim? Get in touch with Lisa Douglas in North Little Rock today. You can also use her legal services for auto accident claims and truck accident claims.

 

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