Were you hurt in an accident in Mount Pleasant that was not your fault? Or did the accident happen in Milwaukee near Milwaukee Public Market or Mitchell Park Domes? You may wonder how to pay your medical bills and get compensated for your time off of work after your injury. One of the most important things to know is if someone’s negligence caused the accident, you can file a Wisconsin personal injury lawsuit.
How long does it take a settle a personal injury case? It could take a few weeks or years, depending on many factors. If you have questions about the timeline for your case after reading this article, talk to a personal injury lawyer in Mount Pleasant at Martin Law Office, S.C.
Generally, many personal injury cases take about a year to complete from the date the complaint is signed. However, some cases take more than a year to settle.
Some relevant factors influencing how long it takes to settle a case are how severe your injuries are and the treatments needed. You could see a settlement in a few weeks or months if you have minor injuries.
For example, suppose you are hit from behind at a stop light. You suffer moderate whiplash and a lower back sprain but no broken bones or other injuries. However, the doctor says you need a month of physical therapy and chiropractic adjustments to deal with the pain and loss of motion.
Once your treatments are complete next month, and you have reached maximum medical improvement,you should advise your personal injury attorney. . Once you have completed your treatments, settlement negotiations can begin with the driver’s insurance company. It is not beneficial to start settlement negotiations until your medical treatments are complete and you have reached maximum medical improvement.
If you broke your hip and arm in the accident, it may require two surgeries, three months of physical therapy, and two days in the hospital. Consequently, itwill take much longer to receive your medical treatments and reach maximum medical improvement. A more serious personal injury case may take months or even years.
While it can be frustrating to wait a year or more for compensation, it is important to reach maximum medical recovery. That way, it is clear how much you were able to recover from the accident. Your degree of recovery will partially dictate how much compensation you receive for your injuries.
When injured, you probably want to receive compensation as soon as possible to pay your medical and other bills. However, there are ways to speed up the case, so you get money in your hands faster.
There is no question that the personal injury attorney you choose can significantly impact increasing the speed of your settlement. You do not necessarily have to hire an attorney the same day you are injured, but it helps to seek qualified legal counsel soon after the incident.
Next, follow your doctor’s instructions regarding treatments and follow-up appointments. Make every appointment and have as few rescheduled as possible. Take as long as the doctor advises for your medical treatments, but attend every appointment, so your treatment program is completed as soon as possible.
You likely want to get money soon after the accident, however, a fast settlement is seldom to your benefit. The insurance company may contact you promptly after the accident to make a quick settlement. This is common when it is the other driver’s fault.
The insurance company knows that most injured parties do not have legal experience or have learned how to negotiate a settlement. They want to get you to sign a settlement document for a small amount so they can close the case.
After getting medical attention for your injuries, the next step is to call a personal injury attorney. They will deal with the insurance company and handle settlement negotiations.
Personal injury cases end faster if there is a settlement, not a lawsuit. Most cases end in a settlement because it is to both sides’ benefit to get the case done in settlement negotiations. For the insurance company, it means fewer legal fees and taking a risk that a jury will award you more money than in a potential settlement.
Sometimes a fair settlement cannot be negotiated. For example, the insurance company avoided paying for some of your medical treatments. If that happens, filing a lawsuit can be the only option
After the lawsuit is filed, the defendant must be served legal notice.. After that, the other side has several days to submit their answer to the lawsuit.
Next is a written discovery period where documents are exchanged between the plaintiff and defendant. Then, there are depositions of all parties in the lawsuit, experts, witnesses, and treating physicians.
The time between when the lawsuit is filed and when the trial starts can vary widely. Much depends on how busy the court is. You can expect at least a few months between discovery and the trial start. Depending on the case’s complexity, the personal injury trial can take up to a few days to months.
Being injured in an accident can be personally and financially devastating. If someone’s negligence caused the accident, it is even more upsetting. Fortunately, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party in such a situation. Martin Law Office, S.C. can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your losses.
Please contact our personal injury lawyers in Mount Pleasant today at 414-856-4010 for assistance. Remember, the sooner you retain an attorney, the faster they can begin the legal process so you can get a settlement.
