After someone hurts you accidentally or intentionally, the law permits the filing of a personal injury lawsuit to recover money for the losses. Knowing how the legal process works will set you on the right path toward peace of mind. Here’s how to pursue your case and increase the chance of receiving payment for your damages.

How to Navigate a Personal Injury Case

1. Consult an Attorney

Get in touch with a personal injury attorney soon after getting hurt to provide the most accurate information about what happened. Your lawyer will use it to start developing a strategy to achieve the best possible result for you. In addition, the attorney will know the exact date by which you must file a lawsuit due to state-imposed statutes of limitation.    

2. File a Lawsuit

Your lawyer will prepare a complaint, which is a legal paper that states your claim and request for monetary damages, and file it with the court. The defendant, the person you sue, will receive it and have 30 days to respond by filing an answer. Discovery takes place next, a process that allows both sides to ask questions and establish the facts of the case.   

3. Settle or Go to Trial

After discovery, most people reach settlement agreements without going to trial. Your attorney will evaluate your goals, the information gathered during discovery, and how the law applies to the information. Next, they’ll prepare a settlement proposal and present it to the defendant’s attorney. The attorneys negotiate, trying to reach a deal that you and the defendant will accept. If that happens, you sign an agreement and release form and receive the amount as agreed.

If settlement doesn’t happen, the case goes to trial before a judge and jury. They decide whether you win the case and, if so, the amount of money you will receive.  

If you’ve experienced a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence, turn to Cada Cada & Jewson of Lincoln, NE, for advice and representation. Since 1972, these personal injury attorneys have been helping clients in Lancaster County recover monetary damages in injury claims. Trust their team to help achieve your goals and serve your best interests. Learn more about the firm online or call (402) 477-2233 for a free initial consultation.