If you have suffered a personal injury and are considering filing a lawsuit, then you are likely wondering what sort of timeline to expect before you are able to receive a settlement. There are many factors that go into this timeline, and each will change depending on the specifics of your circumstances.
Read below about some of the major contributing factors to any settlement timeline, but be sure to discuss this in greater depth with your Fort Lauderdale personal injury law firm to get a better idea of what to expect.
Creating Your Settlement Timeline
Keep in mind that not all of these factors will go into your own timeline and that they may vary extensively even if they do factor in. You and your attorney will be able to work through each of these factors one by one.
The Extent of Medical Treatment
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be in recovery for months. Alternately, you may be back out in 12 hours. If you are currently in recovery or undergoing treatment, but are able to safely begin to discuss your options with an attorney, the sooner you start, the better.
Finding a Personal Injury Attorney
Finding the right attorney is a very important step to a successful personal injury case. Take advantage of the initial consultations that most personal injury attorneys offer potential clients. In it, you will be able to interview them, understand their process, make sure that you trust them, and get a better idea of their thoughts for your case.
Building a Case
Once you find the attorney you will work with, you will work together to gather all of the relevant details about your specific situation so that you can build a solid case.
Attempt to Settle
After all of the details have been gathered and you have a great understanding of what your case will look like, your attorney may attempt to settle directly with the defendant or their insurance company. This is easier for both parties because a trial can be expensive and time-consuming.
File Lawsuit
If you are unable to reach a settlement agreement, your timeline will be extended significantly because of the court process you will now undergo.
Discovery
During discovery, there will be interviews, exploration, depositions, and more so that the court can get a full understanding of the situation.
Negotiation
Following the fact-finding period, either party may find it prudent to work directly with the others again to reach a negotiated agreement and avoid a trial. Once a case goes to trial, it is completely out of your hands and the final decision will be left to a judge and jury. Depending on the position the other side is taking, and your confidence of winning if you are unable to reach a decision, this may be your only option.
Trial
During the trial, you will be at the whims of the Florida court system for court dates, the speed of the process, and even the final decision.
How Long Will My Case Last?
This is a question that is best left to you and your attorney to determine. While there is no set timeline for any settlement, working with an experienced lawyer will be a great asset, and they will be able to use their past experiences to give you a better estimate of what to expect. They will be able to understand your overall situation, the likelihood of a settlement versus a full trial, and can give you a good idea of how all of these factors will come together.
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