Orlando Car Accident Lawyer
The hiring of an attorney is an important decision. This article is informational only and is not intended to give legal advice.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. You may be curious as to how long it will take to get your money and what steps are involved in the process.
What is the Typical Timeline of an Auto Accident Settlement and Lawsuit?
There really is no average time for an auto accident case to settle or go to trial because every case is different, and the lawsuit timeline depends on many unique factors. But here is a general overview and timeline for a typical auto accident:
- Immediately after your car accident: You should call 911 if anyone is injured or there is significant property damage. You should also exchange information with the other driver(s), take photos of the scene (if possible and safe to do so) and your injuries, seek medical attention as soon as possible (even if you feel fine you may have injuries that are not apparent at the time), report the accident to your insurance company but do not admit fault or sign anything until you have consulted with an experienced car accident attorney.
- Within days and weeks after your car accident: Your lawyer will investigate your case and gather information and evidence, such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, photographs of your injuries, photographs of the accident scene, photographs of the damage to the vehicles involved, expert opinions, and other important and relevant information and documents. They will also communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf and handle all aspects of your claim.
- Within months after the accident: Your lawyer will evaluate your damages and losses and submit a “demand letter” to the insurance company, asking for a specific amount of money based on your losses and other considerations. The insurance company may respond with a counteroffer, in which case your lawyer may negotiate until they reach a reasonable agreement, or they will advise you to file a lawsuit if the insurance company does not negotiate in good faith.
- Within nine to 18 months after the accident: If your case must go into litigation because of the insurance company’s refusal to offer just and fair compensation, your lawyer will file a complaint with the court stating your allegations against the defendant(s) and requesting compensation for your damages. The defendant(s) will have a certain period of time (usually 30 days) to answer the complaint or file a motion to dismiss it. Then the discovery phase will begin, where both sides will exchange evidence and information through interrogatories (written questions), depositions (oral testimony), requests for production (documents), requests for admission (facts), and subpoenas (third-party records). This phase can last several months depending on the complexity of your case, how much evidence there is and how cooperative both sides are During this time, both sides may also attend pre-trial hearings and motions where they discuss legal issues before the judge. They may also try to resolve their dispute through mediation (a neutral third-party facilitator) or arbitration (a binding decision by one or more arbitrators).
- Within two years after the accident: If your case does not settle during discovery or during alternative dispute resolution, your lawyer will prepare your case for trial. A trial is a formal proceeding where both sides present their evidence and arguments before a judge and a jury (sometimes just a judge) who will decide the outcome of the case. A trial can last from a few days to several weeks depending on how many witnesses and exhibits there are.
If you win at trial, you may still have to wait for your money if the defendant(s) appeal the verdict or judgment. An appeal is a request for a higher court to review the lower court’s decision for any errors of law or fact that may have affected the outcome. An appeal can take several months or even years to resolve depending on how busy the appellate court is and how complex the issues are.
Car Accident Lawyer Near Me
If you’ve been involved in an auto accident in Orlando or Central Florida and want a timely auto accident settlement or verdict, call Todd Miner Law Firm. With years of experience, expertise, dedication from a team of former insurance company attorneys and adjusters, we believe we’re the best choice for your case. Don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 407-214-4743 to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled and experienced car accident lawyers. Todd Miner Law is ready to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
The hiring of an attorney is an important decision. This article is informational only and is not intended to give legal advice.
