Personal Injury Timeline

If you have decided that you want to file a personal injury lawsuit because of injuries you sustained in an elevator or escalator accident, there are some things that you should know about this process. Personal injury cases can last months or even years, so it is important to understand what you are getting yourself into. On this page, I will discuss some of the major steps involved in a personal injury case. While this page will provide general process and timeline information, you can contact my office for more information related to your personal situation.

Filing a Claim

A personal injury case begins when one party files a claim against another party. If you are going to file a personal injury claim, you should already have a good idea of what evidence you will use in your case. Information about your injuries and how much money you spent as a result of these injuries will be good to have.

Filing a claim means filling out paperwork. While this paperwork is fairly straightforward, there are some questions that might be confusing to you. If this is the case, contacting a lawyer to help you with the paperwork is a good idea. A lawyer can take on the paperwork for you and make sure that all of the information is filled out correctly.

All of this should happen before you file your claim in order to speed up the actual lawsuit process. This paperwork as well as how organized you are will set the foundation for the rest of the case, as well as how long it will take.

Gathering Evidence and Depositions

After a claim is filed, both parties will have some time to gather their own evidence. This stage of the process usually involves depositions of either party or other people involved in the case. A deposition is an on the record interview about the accident and a person’s involvement with it. Your attorneys may want to depose the person you are suing in order to learn more about their part in the accident.

Keep in mind that the other party may depose you to learn more about your injuries. While this can be a stressful experience, try not to panic. Your lawyer will be there with you to make sure that your rights are protected. All you have to do is tell the truth about your injuries. If you are nervous about a deposition, your lawyer can help you prepare.

Settlement Offer

After the claim has been underway and the other party has reviewed the evidence, they will likely offer a settlement. Many times, the other party will have elevator liability insurance, so you will work with the insurance company on a potential settlement.

As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, a settlement is a good option because it helps you avoid going to court and guarantees that you will get some compensation. However, insurance companies might try to lowball you and not give you a fair settlement. Before you take a deal, review it with your attorney. Based on your personal case, they can help you figure out if the settlement offer is appropriate or if you should proceed with your case.

Hiring a Lawyer

As you can see, the entire personal injury process becomes easier if you have a lawyer on your side. To discuss your case with one of our lawyers, contact my office today.