Personal Injury Lawsuit Schedule
Are you a victim of an accident or negligence? If so, you know that these are trying times. Returning to your routine schedule with your sustained injuries and paying your mounting bills may be challenging. However, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the party at fault. While it may not undo the damages caused to you, it does give you the chance to get the justice you deserve.
However, every personal injury case is different. Some claims take longer to settle than others. For example, cases with lifetime injuries have a longer timeline compared to injuries that take less time to heal from. Time is critical for personal injury cases, especially with the statute of limitations. Therefore, you must understand your timeline and pursue a legal battle accordingly.
To apply for free, call (877) 735-0016
Filing a Personal Injury Case
Generally, people think your injury suit starts when your lawyer has filed a claim in court. However, there are still a few more steps before this. Knowing these steps will help you set realistic expectations for your case.
One major step is filing your personal injury claim. This takes most of the process and is the most complex step. It often starts with a discovery phase, negotiation, mediation, trial, post-trial motions, and appeals.
Often, plaintiffs ask the same question, “how long does a personal injury lawsuit take?” The answer depends on several factors. One of which is the discovery phase. It begins with the investigation. All documents are collected, and each side reviews them. Lawyers negotiate a settlement before filing a lawsuit. Make sure your case is within the statute of limitation.
In the following stages, both parties may request documentation and pieces of evidence. It is typically the longest step in the process. After this phase, both parties may negotiate a deal or settlement instead of proceeding to a trial. Often, personal injury cases end here. However, a trial may ensue for a class suit and other high-profile cases. When the trial is done and a verdict is reached, either party may file for an appeal.
Because this is a lengthy legal procedure, it is important that you have the right mental attitude and financial support to focus your efforts on winning your case.
Learn more about the processes below.
The Discovery Phase
The Discovery phase is the time spent by both parties to gather information. It helps get a clear understanding of your case and build your defense accordingly. For plaintiffs, this is the time to collect evidence for motions to support your case.
The legal representative may do the following in this phase:
- Interrogation – lawyers send out written questions that parties answer under oath.
- Request for production of documents – each party requests documents, copies, or sends out subpoenas to get withheld documents. The goal is to allow lawyers to check the documents and build a defense for the case.
- Depositions – Legal representatives conduct question and answer sessions under oath with a court transcriber for recording purposes. People relevant to the case may be called for a deposition.
- Request for admission – Sworn statements either admit or deny the case. The responses are binding and swing the case in favor or disfavor of the claim.
The discovery phase is a critical part of your lawsuit. It may last for a few months to a year. This stage of the process can make or break your case. Therefore, it’s essential to get all the help from an experienced legal representative.
Negotiation and Meditation
After the discovery phase, both parties can either decide to negotiate or settle. However, mediation follows if no settlement is reached by talking among the parties involved. this is the part of the process where a neutral party mediator comes in to help resolve the case. The goal is to reach a reasonable solution.
The mediator cannot force the solution. It’s an informal process, and nothing said in the mediation process can be used against you in court. The purpose is to let both parties explain their sides without a legal burden. After which, the mediator coaxes each party to reach an agreement or sometimes compromises to reach an agreement.
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Trial
If the mediation phase ends in no agreements or compromises, the next phase is the trial.
Every state has its own court docketing rules. This means that your lawsuit case is placed behind those that were filed before yours. You may need to wait for about six months after filing before the judge considers the case and calls for a case management conference to discuss the details of the lawsuit claim. This is when the trial date is decided.
Trials for personal injury cases can last for a day, a week, or even a month. Some states hold half-day trials for personal injury claims. This lengthens the case timelines and allows legal representatives to review their documents and make some changes to their defense and others.
Additionally, it allows judges to review the documents presented and for the jurors, if conditions are met, to contemplate over the facts they’ve heard during the trial before coming up with a decision. It’s essential to note that even when trials are scheduled, often, the dates change due to the judge’s schedule. If these delays occur, it won’t affect your case.
When to Get Pre-Settlement Funding
Personal injury pre-settlement funding is available for those with an ongoing personal injury case. Therefore, you can apply for legal funding if you have a case.
Legal battles can take a long time. During this time, you may find yourself in a financial bind before the case settles. Other times, plaintiffs renounce their claims due to fear of financial burdens because of the bills and fees you’ll have to pay. With legal funding, you have the money to pay for the mounting bills, avoid petty settlements, and let go of the financial pressure.
How does it work?
A lawsuit funding is an efficient way to get the money you need to support your legal battle. It is a cash advance from your future settlement award if the court favors your case. However, it is unlike a traditional loan.
Funding is a non-recourse loan where the lender doesn’t need to do a credit check, employment history, or collateral. Nothing is seized from you if you don’t win a future compensation. Thus, it doesn’t pose any financial risk to you. However, you still need to consider all your other options before deciding on receiving lawsuit funding.
It’s also essential to research and look for a firm with your best interest at heart. Go for a lender with the lowest interest and capped rate. Always ask your qualifying questions before deciding on the settlement firm you decide to apply to.
Qualify for a settlement funding
There are a few core criteria to get a settlement loan:
- A strong case. Lenders assume the risks in lending you the money. While winning isn’t guaranteed, a strong case still gives them more chances to get the payment when the case is won.
- You have a legal representative. Furthermore, you must hire a lawyer on a contingency fee basis. They are only paid when the case is settled.
- The defendant is financially able to pay for the damages via an insurance company or out of pocket.
Once these fundamental factors are met, the lenders will then look into further criteria. This includes the following:
- The extent of damages. Legal firms prefer funding cases with severe physical and emotional injuries and grave financial losses. However, cases with less severe trauma are also considered.
- The margin for investment. Your case is an investment for settlement firms. They won’t approve funding if there’s a minimal margin for investment.
- Lawyer’s cooperation. Legal firms work with legal representatives to discuss the case and ask for further documentation. This will help them assess whether your case is worth the investment.
Apply for Legal Funding for Your Personal Injury Lawsuit with High Rise Financial
Do you meet the criteria above? If so, apply for personal injury lawsuit funding today. Time is critical to personal injury cases. Don’t let the financial pressure keep you from filing your lawsuit today. Every state has its statute of limitations. You will have a more challenging time winning your case if you file later than the statutory limit.
High Rise Financial is a legal funding firm that provides financial support for plaintiffs who need help. We offer litigation funding regardless of the state you live in. With us, you don’t have to worry about hidden fees, high-interest rates, lengthy contracts, etc. We boast an efficient and straightforward process.
How to apply?
Simply fill out the online form, provide the necessary details, and we’ll take it from there. The team reviews the case and notifies you of the result within 24 hours. If approved, you can get your money in hours. Legal fundings are wired to your bank account, sent via Western Union, or a check sent via UPS.
We understand where you’re coming from, and we want to help. Secure legal funding today and avoid the financial stress that comes with mounting bills and expenses. Give your legal representative ample time to build, win, and get the best settlement award for your case.
Call or text (877) 735-0016 or fill out our form to apply today for free.