Law

The Stages Involved in Personal Injury Lawsuits in Portland

If you are pursuing monetary compensation for injuries sustained in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you must take steps and prove this party’s fault. Depending on how complex your case is, it can take at least a year to conclude a personal injury lawsuit. While this can be a long process, it can be your only option to recover monetary compensation for your injuries and losses. To ensure you file a strong claim, you must get legal help from an experienced personal injury attorney. To have a better idea of how long your personal lawsuit takes to settle, here is what you can expect from the process:

Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement

After an accident, you must seek immediate medical attention. You need prompt treatment to recover from your injury and your medical records will serve as valuable evidence for your case. Even if you think you are not injured, you must get a medical evaluation. Some underlying injuries won’t present immediate symptoms and not getting early treatment can harm the credibility of your case. 

Once you get treatment, you must speak with an attorney about your claim. The lawyer will assess your case and help you understand your legal options. If your attorney thinks you have a viable case, they will wait until you have reached maximum medical improvement before they initiate a claim. With a better understanding of the extent of your injuries, your attorney can establish and issue a demand accurately. 

Investigation and Initial Demands

As you focus on recovering from your injuries, networthexposed your lawyer will thoroughly investigate your accident. They will assess all evidence available, come up with an estimate of your damages, and compile information to make an initial demand. After you have reached maximum medical improvement, your lawyer may send a demand letter to the liable party. 

The other party can negotiate a settlement with your attorney.  If a settlement agreement is reached, your case ends here. But if settlement negotiations fail, your case can go to trial. 

Lawsuit Filing and Discovery

After your attorney files a personal injury lawsuit in civil court, the discovery phase sets in. This stage involves exchanging questions, sdasrinagar reviewing the documents and evidence available, as well as taking depositions of related parties and witnesses.  

Trial

Negotiations and mediation can occur before trial. If the case proceeds to the courtroom, a judge or jury will review the presented evidence as well as listen to the arguments of the lawyers representing the parties involved. How long this trial can last depends on the complexity of the case. In the end, the judge or jury will decide whether you wrinky deserve compensation and the amount you should be awarded. 

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