If you get injured in an accident and want to pursue a personal injury case, you should be aware of how long the process might end up taking. There are multiple stages of a case to go through and a number of factors that could end up influencing how long the proceedings have to take. One thing is always true though. Acting quickly and contacting an Essex County personal injury attorney is a smart move after you have sustained injuries in an accident.
When Should I See a Personal Injury Lawyer?
So if you do decide to pursue a personal injury case, you should meet with a lawyer as soon as you can. At an initial consultation, a lawyer can tell you more about the potential value of your case and what you should do. If you decide to sue, an attorney can file the necessary paperwork and the other parties involved will be n50otified that you are pursuing compensation.
What Are the Stages of a Personal Injury Case?
Once a case has begun, it will start to move through a number of stages. They are:
The discovery process: At this stage, both sides can dig up as much information and evidence as they need. They also have to share their information with the other side, so there are no surprises at negotiations or at trial. This process often takes six months to one year.
Attempt at a settlement: Both sides will try to settle the case through mediation or arbitration. Most of the time, this is where a personal injury case ends. A majority are settled before they can move on to the trial.
The trial: If an agreement cannot be reached, the case goes to trial. This can take a while, but hopefully a verdict can be reached within one to two years of the start of the case.
What Factors Can Affect How Long a Personal Injury Case Takes?
Whether or not you go to trial can have a big effect on how long your case takes, but other elements can affect this timeline as well. Important factors include:
- How many parties are involved
- How severe the injuries were
- How much compensation you are pursuing
- The willingness of both sides to negotiate or settle
Will I Receive My Personal Injury Settlement All at Once?
Sometimes you can, but this is not a guarantee. In some cases, the defendant just would not have the money available to pay an entire settlement at once. A payment plan would be developed and you would receive your compensation over time.
Schedule a Legal Consultation
It can be difficult to hold other parties accountable for an accident on your own. Our lawyers can gather the evidence needed and make persuasive arguments on your behalf, and that help you secure the type of compensation that you deserve. Contact Rubenstein, Berliner & Shinrod, LLC and schedule your initial compensation today.
