You’ve Been Injured. What Next?
Personal injury cases are based on the premise that someone was injured by the act of another person or entity. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, you should seek out a top personal injury attorney who can fight for you and your rights. Since these cases are not necessarily clear cut, it is rarely advisable for you to go this alone.
When pursuing your personal injury case, the first thing on your list should be finding a good attorney. Even after you have narrowed down your choices, you still need to do a little research in order to make sure that he or she will be the right fit for you. This means looking for reviews from other clients, complaints, and even pending lawsuits that may have been filed. The Better Business Bureau is a great place to find this kind of information.
The Face to Face Meeting
You will next want to set a meeting with your attorney. Here, you will discuss the details of your case to determine if you do, in fact, have a viable claim. This is when your attorney will instruct you on what can be expected through each step of the process. This is also the time that your attorney will instruct you as to what will be expected of you. This will include any information you may have, the facts of your case, contacts who can help to verify your case, and any other information pertinent to your claim. The defendant’s attorney will also be contacting your attorney to swap information material to the case.
It is quite possible that your case will never go to trial. Many cases are settled out of court. Motions are filed to end the proceeding before it ever makes it to a judge or jury. This can be good news for you since settlements are often reached during this time. If your case does go to trial, the process can be quite lengthy depending on how much testimony takes place and how aggressive the defense becomes.
Even if you win the case and are awarded a settlement, it doesn’t always mean that all the work is behind you. Being awarded compensation and actually collecting it are often two different things. Defendants will sometimes go to great lengths to keep from paying out. One such tactic is to file an appeal. This is where your attorney will need to step in to speed up the process.
The Time Factor
One thing to keep in mind is the statute of limitations on such cases, which can differ from state to state. In California, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case runs for a period of two years, either from the date of the injury or when the origin of the injury is established. But the two-year rule is not set in stone. There are sometimes extenuating circumstances that can allow a case to proceed even after the two-year time limit has expired. Do not endanger your case by putting off initiating your claim. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
Anyone who has been injured through no fault of their own deserves the right to proper legal representation. It is in your best interest, and that of your family, to hire the right California personal injury lawyer who can get you the compensation that you are entitled to. This will afford you the best opportunity for a full recovery and the ability to restore your life.
Give Us the Opportunity to Help
The Mandell Law Firm, in Northridge, is an aggressive personal injury and wrongful death law firm serving clients throughout the San Fernando Valley, the Greater Los Angeles area, and Southern California. Experienced and reputable, our attorneys provide hands-on care and sincere commitment to victims of accidents. Contact Mara Burnett for a free consultation at 818.866.6600.
