When someone else is at fault for your injury and you suffer the financial consequences of
medical bills and lost income, it can be devastating. That’s why many people turn to a personal
injury claim for damages. When dealing with a personal injury case, the financial aspect is
incredibly important, as that’s the only way you’ll be receiving compensation for the damage
done to you.

However, many people don’t know when they’ll see that money. As someone pursuing a
personal injury case, it’s very important to understand when you’ll see the financial gain from
the case. By understanding the timelines of these claims, you know what you’re going to be
dealing with.

Settlement vs. Lawsuit

Once you’ve received medical treatment for your injuries and are looking over your options for a
personal injury case, it’s important to understand that not every personal injury claim ends in
litigation. A settlement is a potential outcome — that’s when you and the insurance adjuster,
with the help and negotiation of an attorney, agree on an amount that you will be paid.

However, you must be set in what you deserve in a settlement, or you could be taken advantage
of. Though both you and the adjuster will likely have to compromise for a successful settlement,
you want to be patient and persistent in receiving the damages you deserve. A personal injury
attorney can be very useful in this process, as they are well versed in personal injury law and will
know at what point in your treatment to begin making demands of the insurance adjuster. An
attorney can also handle the stressful side of negotiating for you, so you can focus on recovering.
If a settlement is finalized, you will likely see financial damages paid much sooner than through
the long process of a lawsuit.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If a settlement cannot be reached, the process moves to litigation. Settlements usually fail
because the two sides can’t find common ground as their needs are too different or because
discussions stall. Filing a lawsuit is a long process, but if the insurance company isn’t willing to
pay you enough for your damages, it’s what’s necessary for you to be paid fair compensation.
From filing a lawsuit to going to trial, a personal injury case could take anywhere from a year to
two years. Your success in such a case will be much higher with a qualified personal injury
lawyer.

The process of a trial is preceded by legal claims and defenses, where all the necessary
information, documents, and witnesses are shared and discussed. Then, there are negotiations, at
which point a settlement can again be reached. This can either occur between attorneys or go to
mediation. In mediation, a neutral third party helps to facilitate discussions between parties.
Finally, the case goes to trial if no consensus could be reached in mediation.

 

Trials for personal injury claims can last anywhere from a day to weeks. The duration simply
depends on the information that needs to be conveyed and other specific circumstances of the
trial. It is only after the trial has ended and the ruling is decided that you will receive financial
compensation for damages.

Receiving the Most Compensation Possible with Lamar Law Office, LLC

Usually, a person goes to trial because they wouldn’t have received fair damages otherwise, and
they believe that the court or negotiations through an attorney will give more favorable results.
Of course, it’s important to note that insurance companies will be sure to paint your actions in a
negative light and give you the least amount of compensation they can, despite the fault not
being your own. It is for this reason that it’s incredibly important to have a seasoned personal
injury lawyer by your side during trial. Let us advocate for your point of view, your rights, and
your best interests.

 

If you have experienced a personal injury, call (678) 819-5200 for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.