If you have suffered an injury in an accident, and that injury was the fault of someone else, then you are likely wondering if you have the right to file a personal injury claim against them. The easiest way to find out is to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn what you should expect if you move forward with your case.
A Clear Explanation of What a Personal Injury Claim Is
First, let us discuss what a personal injury claim actually is. It is the formal process during which a person who is injured seeks financial compensation for their damages from the at-fault party. There are often both economic damages sought, such as medical bills and lost wages, along with non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Most Cases Do Not Go to Court and You Do Not Pay Upfront
A few other important things to know before you move forward is that upwards of 95% of all personal injury cases get settled before they get to court. You should also know that most personal injury attorneys, including The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, take cases on a contingency basis. This means that the injured party does not have to pay any legal fees until their attorney wins the case. In the event their attorney is not successful, then they will not have to pay legal fees at all.
Every Case is Different
Know too, that every personal injury case is different and is handled differently. For example, if you suffered an injury in a car accident, we would not likely handle that the same way we would help a client who had been injured in a pedestrian accident. That said, the following details the basic steps in most cases.
A Demand Letter is Sent
First, we send a demand letter to the insurance company or law firm of the at-fault party. This letter includes information on why the party is at fault, information about the extent of the injuries, and information on the damages, such as medical costs, lost income, and others.
A Complaint is Filed
If the attorney for the other party does not agree to the settlement, then we will file a complaint with the courts. The other side then has one month (30 days) to respond to the complaint. The goal is always to negotiate a fair outcome without going to court, but if they are not willing to do so then we will file a complaint.
Both Parties Go to Court
While only about 5% of cases end up in court, if negotiations do not work, then the final step is going to court. There we will show a judge and/or jury that someone else was responsible for the accident, that you were injured as a result of the accident, and that you suffered damages due to those injuries.
