There is a standard timetable that your lawyer will follow as your accident claim moves forward. Although you will be anxious to resolve the matter, an experienced personal injury attorney will tell you there is no such thing as a “fast settlement”. You will have to be patient with the process. It will help if you discuss with your lawyer what to expect.
Making the First Offer
The first step that your personal injury lawyer will take is to get all the facts out. This will include your deposition, accident reports and statements from your doctor. When it becomes clear that the evidence is on your side, your lawyer will put in an offer for a settlement.
After allowing the defense to review that offer for at least two weeks, your attorney will reach out to check the current status. If there is room to negotiate with the numbers, then counteroffers will go back and forth for the next several weeks. As your personal injury lawyer will tell you, this is actually a good sign because it means the defense is looking for a way to close the case.
When a settlement has been reached, your lawyer will review all the outstanding payments and promises to pay that will be deducted from the amount. The remaining funds will be issued to you.
Moving Forward With the Suit
If a fair settlement can’t be agreed upon, then your personal injury attorney will move forward with filing the lawsuit. The defense should respond to the official filing otherwise they would be in default. When that happens, your lawyer will investigate the reasons and decide the best course of action for moving forward.
Within 8 to 16 weeks of filing the lawsuit, your lawyer will have prepared all the discovery documents. This will include interrogatories that are written answers to questions that you and your attorney will prepare for the defense.
The Trial Start
Once all the proper paperwork has been filed and all the discovery items have been delivered, a trial date will be set for the lawsuit. At this point, it could be six months or more since you initially began the process of filing a claim. With the trial date scheduled, your personal injury lawyer will go through all the pre-trial prep work. That will include reviewing your original deposition and ensuring that your trial testimony will reflect those facts.
Discuss the Timetable With Your Atlanta Personal Injury Accident Lawyer
There is a standard timetable that your lawyer will follow as your accident claim moves forward. Although you will be anxious to resolve the matter, an experienced personal injury attorney will tell you there is no such thing as a “fast settlement”. More Information