What to Expect at Each Stage of a Personal Injury Claim

You’ve been injured by another person’s negligence, and you’re not sure what comes next. Panic is a common response in this situation, leaving many people wondering about how they will pay their medical bills, take unpaid time away from work, and navigate life after an injury. The good news is that you don’t have to go through this alone. If someone else is at fault for your injury, you can hold them accountable with a personal injury claim.

It all starts with a consultation with Kingbird Legal. Learn more about the personal injury claim process, and when you’re ready to get started, call us at 484-289-4880.

Case Evaluation and Consultation

The first step is a case evaluation. Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations, which allows you to talk to different lawyers and find one you’re comfortable with. Use this time to ask plenty of questions, find out if you have a valid case, and figure out how much experience each attorney has. You’ll want to choose a lawyer who asks questions about your case before discussing compensation, makes you feel comfortable, and has substantial experience in cases like yours.

Case Preparation

If you have a viable personal injury claim and you decide to go with an attorney, they will begin working on your case. In addition to looking through any evidence you have already provided, your attorney will gather more evidence from different sources. Depending on the type of injury you’ve suffered, they may look into surveillance footage, eyewitness testimony, medical bills, medical reports, and police reports. This is also when they thoroughly document your damages. Injuries get expensive very quickly, and it’s important to document your financial losses so you can seek proper compensation. After gathering and analyzing all of the available evidence, your Washington DC personal injury lawyer will be ready to reach out to the insurance company.

Contacting the Insurance Company and Starting Negotiations

In the majority of personal injury claims, compensation is paid out by the at-fault party’s insurance—not by them personally. In fact, cases in which the at-fault party does not have insurance often lead to minimal or no compensation, as they do not have enough funds or assets to pay compensation. Your attorney will send a demand letter to the insurance company, outlining what you’re requesting and why they should comply. This begins the negotiation process, and the insurance company will likely send their own counteroffer. This may continue for several rounds until the parties reach an agreeable amount.

Reaching a Settlement or Filing a Lawsuit

The majority of personal injury claims result in a settlement, not a court case. Once both parties agree, the paperwork is drawn up and signed. When you sign, you are giving up your right to file a lawsuit for your injury and any other injuries resulting from the accident in question. In exchange, you get the agreed-upon settlement. Any expenses are paid from that amount, including your attorney’s fees, and you receive the remainder.

Going to Court

While most claims end in a settlement, not everyone is quite so lucky. There are situations in which the insurance company refuses to negotiate fairly or accept liability. If the two parties are so far apart on numbers that compromise is impossible, you may have to take your case to court. This process is significantly longer than negotiating a settlement out of court, so be prepared. However, even if your attorney begins court preparations, that doesn’t mean that court is guaranteed—a settlement can still be reached at any point.

If your case ends up in court, you will be in front of a judge and possibly a jury. They will hear from both sides, decide if the other party is or is not liable, and give their decision. If they believe the other party is liable, they also decide how much compensation you are owed.

Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim? Call Kingbird Legal

When you choose Kingbird Legal, you can rest easy and recover while we tackle your legal case. Our goal is to get you every dollar you deserve. Set up your free consultation now by calling us at 484-289-4880 or contacting us online.