Personal Injury Lawyer DC
If you have been physically hurt by someone else, you know first-hand how painful and expensive recovery can be. You may be thinking that it is unfair that you have to bear the cost of your injury alone, even though it was someone else’s fault. You are right. If your injury was not your fault, you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover the money that you need to pay your medical bills, make up for time missed from work, and to compensate you for the pain you have endured. Before you are ready jump to the nearest courthouse, however, you probably have a lot of questions about what a personal injury lawsuit entails.
The best person to answer your questions is a qualified attorney who has experience practicing personal injury law in your geographic area. Until you can meet with a qualified attorney, however, here are a few frequently asked questions and answers for you to consider.
- What is a personal injury lawsuit? A personal injury lawsuit is a civil lawsuit filed in civil court. Typically a lawsuit begins by a plaintiff, the injured person, filing a document called a “complaint” with a court that has power to hear and decide the case. After the complaint is filed, there will likely be a “discovery” period in which both sides, plaintiff and defendant, are allowed to investigate the claims and defenses to the lawsuit. After discovery, the case will move to a trial to be heard by a judge and sometimes a jury who will decide whether the plaintiff, you, are entitled to recover any money, often called “damages,” from the defendant.
- How long does it take to get money? Personal injury lawsuits can take a long time from start to finish. Depending on where you file your lawsuit and how complicated the facts of your case are, a personal injury lawsuit can take months or even years to resolve. Even if and when you are awarded money at the end of in a lawsuit, it may take a while for you to actually receive your payment. Often, settlement negotiation is a faster way to get resolution for your case. Settlement can not only save time, but may also save you money in legal fees, court costs, and other lawsuit-related expenses. Settlement agreements also often contain terms that require the defendant to pay the settlement amount within a certain period of time.
- Should I file a personal injury lawsuit? Ultimately, this is a question best answered by you and your attorney. The answer will depend heavily on the specific facts of your case and your ability to tolerate a potentially long, drawn-out trial. It is no secret that personal injury lawsuits can take time, and cost money. On top of all that, personal injury lawsuits are not always successful. However, negotiating a personal injury settlement or winning a personal injury trial verdict can get you the compensation you need to put your life back together.
Remember, if you are considering filing a personal injury lawsuit, your first step should be to find and meet with a competent and experienced personal injury lawyer DC trusts to evaluate your case.
Contact Cohen & Cohen for their insight into personal injury cases and commonly asked questions.
