After an accident in Dallas, TX, due to someone else’s negligence, you could pursue a personal injury claim for damages. Since accidents can lead to injuries, unexpected medical bills, lost pay, property damage, and other losses, It is important to know your rights.
From the day of the accident to the day of a settlement payment, you’ll also want to know how long it takes for a personal injury case to settle.
The time it takes to settle a personal injury claim can depend on the facts of the accident and the injuries involved. This is where an experienced Dallas personal injury lawyer can help.
Steps Involved In a Dallas, TX Personal Injury Case
Personal injury claims in Dallas follow certain steps, but each case is unique to the facts involved. Your settlement timeline will depend on the evidence in your case and the willingness of the other side to reach an agreement.
Common steps in a personal injury case include:
- The accident happens
- Evidence is collected, and the accident is investigated
- Victims seek medical help whenever injuries are involved
- A personal injury lawyer reviews the evidence and facts of the accident and builds a case strategy on the client’s behalf
- Your attorney negotiates a potential settlement with the insurance company handling a personal injury claim
- Your lawyer files a personal injury lawsuit when necessary to resolve the issues
- The plaintiff and defendant in a case exchange documents and evidence
- Negotiations and mediation are used to try to settle the case
- The case goes to trial if no settlement is reached during the case (about 95% of personal injury cases settle before trial, however)
Here, we’ll review these steps and how long they might take more fully.
The Accident Happens
An accident comes as a sudden shock to anybody involved. Nobody expects to become an accident victim when going about their day. Car accidents, slip and fall accidents, truck accidents, workplace accidents, product liability accidents, dog bites, and other incidents can lead to serious physical and emotional damage.
Seeking Medical Treatment
After any type of accident, victims should obtain immediate medical treatment. Even if your injuries seem minor at first, you should get your injuries looked at by a medical professional. Certain injuries – like concussions and internal bleeding – might not be apparent right away but could be dangerous when left ignored. As an accident victim, it is critical to get any follow-up treatment recommended by a doctor and take any prescribed medication. Following up with medical care is important to your health and to a personal injury claim.
Seeking Legal Advice
Personal injury lawyers such as our firm will work with accident victims on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay attorney’s fees if you win your case. Don’t let financial worries keep you from meeting with an experienced Dallas personal injury lawyer. Getting skilled legal advice early on in a personal injury claim can make all the difference in your financial recovery.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
The personal injury lawyers at Benton Accident and Injury Lawyers have recovered millions in settlements for Texas personal injury victims and will work hard to prove your claim. Trying to negotiate with insurance companies on your own is an uphill battle. Hiring our legal team to negotiate with insurance companies can help you maximize your financial settlement. Insurers tend to delay or deny personal injury claims when the accident victim lacks legal help.
Depending on the facts involved, a personal injury claim can be settled within days or weeks through the insurance process. In more complex cases, negotiations with the insurer can take several weeks or even months. A lawyer can review your claim and estimate how long the claims process might take.
Collecting Evidence
Evidence is used to prove a personal injury claim and push the case closer to settlement. Some examples of evidence in a personal injury claim can include:
- Photographs
- Video footage, including surveillance recordings
- Police reports
- Witness statements and testimony
- Physical evidence from the accident scene
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Expert witness reports
Experienced personal injury lawyers will carefully analyze all evidence to strengthen your claim at each stage in the settlement process.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Many claims will be settled through the insurance claim process. If your case does not, your lawyer will prepare a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. The statute of limitations for a personal injury case in Texas is two years from the date of an accident in most cases. A personal injury lawyer will make sure you have a strong case, and your lawsuit is filed by the deadline.
Discovery in a Personal Injury Case
During a personal injury case, the plaintiff and defendant will exchange information known as “discovery.” Discovery will include documents, videos, photos, witness statements, police reports, expert reports, and other details explaining what happened and who was responsible. Through discovery, an attorney can demonstrate the strength of your claim and push to maximize your settlement.
Settlement and Mediation
Settlement discussions and mediation are part of the process in most personal injury cases. Mediation is a meeting between both sides in which they lay out the issues involved and try to reach a settlement. Mediation takes place outside of court, and a judge is almost never involved. At any point during the case, however, both sides can agree to a settlement.
Trial
A personal injury case will go to trial if no settlement is reached. At a personal injury trial, lawyers will use evidence and testimony to show why the other party was liable for the accident and injuries. Experience counts when you need to take your case to a jury trial. The length of time between an accident and a jury trial is often several months to over a year in complex cases. Your personal injury attorney will keep you informed each step of the way as your case moves toward settlement.
Contact a Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you were injured in an accident, the time it takes to settle a personal injury case depends on various factors, including the evidence available and the complexity of the claim. The process may take weeks or months, depending on negotiations and legal proceedings.
Seeking legal guidance can help ensure your rights are protected and that you pursue the compensation you deserve. If you have questions about your case, consider speaking with a personal injury professional to understand your options and the next steps.
Contact us at (214) 556-8321 for a free consultation with a Dallas personal injury lawyer to discuss your case and what we can do to help you.