While it's impossible to tell exactly how long your case will take, an experienced personal injury attorney can make an estimate based on other cases they have handled similar to yours.
Within 24 Hours of the Accident
At the scene of the accident, it is important to follow certain steps to help your case. First, it's important to maintain composure on the side of the road. Do not blame the other driver or get into a confrontation with them, or anyone else including police. Whatever you say at the accident can and will be used when determining how much compensation you should receive. Let an attorney do the arguing for you. Instead, you should only focus on exchanging important information with the other driver, any passengers, and any witnesses. This information includes:
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Your name
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Address
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Phone number
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Email address
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Your auto insurance information
Immediately after your accident you must seek medical attention and be diagnosed with a trauma-induced injury by a doctor. This doctor can prescribe you a recommended course of treatment, which may include physical therapy for a number of weeks or months. They may even suggest that you be reevaluated at a later date for corrective surgery. If the doctor gives you this many unknowns, then you will need to speak with an attorney right away about how your healing will affect the timeline of your case.
According to georgiatrialfirm.com, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you do not owe a penny unless they win for you.
Settlement Negotiations
Next step is for your attorney to prepare your settlement letter that will be presented to the insurance company. This settlement letter includes the amount that you were asking for as well as evidence backing up your claim. Your attorney will calculate your damages by adding together all of the expenses from your:
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Medical treatment
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Lost wages from work
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Damaged property in the car accident
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Any damages for pain and suffering
The first set of damages are easy to calculate: your attorney adds up all the expenses that have already accrued. However, if your doctor or physical therapist is saying that you will need continued care for the next few weeks or months, then that may delay your case until you heal. Your attorney may suggest that you finish your treatment before filing your case because it is unknown now what your future treatment costs will be.
Pain and suffering includes the other types of side effects that a person can experience emotionally and psychologically as a result of an accident. Generally, the more severe the injuries are, the more compensation you are given. In fatal car accidents where a spouse or a child was killed, surviving family members can file a claim against a liable party for their loss.
Filing A Lawsuit
If an agreement cannot be reached then your attorney will go ahead and file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf alleging that the other driver was negligent in causing the accident that led to your injuries. If your case goes to court, it could be weeks, months, or years until you get a verdict. But a personal injury attorney will guide you through the process, prepare you for court and fight aggressively for you.
