What Are The Stages of a Personal Injury Case in Florida? – Personal Injury Lawyer Boca Raton

What are the Different Stages of a Personal Injury Case in Florida?

If you or a loved one has been injured by someone else’s negligence and you are considering a personal injury lawsuit, contact Boca Injury Law, to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Boca Raton about your case now. We will thoroughly review your case and determine the best course of action for your particular circumstances. If you choose us to represent you, we will be by your side throughout the entire process of your personal injury case and answer any questions you may have along the way.

Stages of a Personal Injury Case

Consultation
First, you will meet with an attorney to discuss your case. If the attorney believes you have a valid case and you choose the attorney to represent you, the attorney will then gather additional information from you such as your insurance information and medical records from the accident to determine the best solution for your case.

Pre-suit Claim/Demand
Often before a lawsuit is ever filed, your attorney will send a demand letter to the opposing party or their insurance company. This letter asks for a particular amount of money to cover the liability and damage for your accident and is intended to resolve the case without having to file a lawsuit. If the two parties cannot agree, then a lawsuit may be filed.

Filing a Lawsuit
Your attorney will file all of the necessary paperwork in court to officially begin your lawsuit, which includes a Summons and Complaint and requires the opposing party/defendant to file a response to the lawsuit within a certain time (usually 20 days). Your attorney will also keep you up-to-date on this process so that you understand what is happening with your case. Once a lawsuit is filed, your attorney can take discovery depositions of witnesses and parties, request documents and evidence from parties, and secure evidence from nonparties through the use of subpoenas.

Discovery
During discovery, the opposing parties will request information from one another through Interrogatives (a written list of questions to be answered) and by requesting documents that pertain to the case. Depositions of witnesses and parties also take place during discovery. During a deposition, an attorney will ask questions of a witness under oath while a court reporter transcribes what is said. In your case, you will likely also have to provide a deposition. Your attorney will help you prepare for your deposition so you know what to expect.

Negotiation
Before your case goes to trial, you will likely be required to attend mediation. At mediation, your attorney will attempt to negotiate a settlement with the opposing party. A settlement requires that you as the plaintiff agree not to pursue further legal action against the opposing party (regarding the particular incident that prompted your personal injury case) in exchange for a sum of money that both parties agree on. Your attorney can help you determine the value of your case and whether a settlement or trial is best for your case.

Trial
If your case is not settled, then your case will proceed to a bench or jury trial. In court, a judge or jury will examine the evidence as the trier of fact, and both the plaintiff and defendant have the opportunity to present and argue their cases. Finally, the judge or jury, depending on the circumstances of your case, will decide whether the defendant is responsible for your injuries and if so, how much money must be paid to you for those injuries.

Contact a Boca Raton Personal Injury Lawyer about Your Personal Injury Case
If you or a family member has suffered any kind of personal injury, whether physical, financial or psychological, and you believe the injury is due to someone else’s negligence, contact Chane Socarras, PLLC to speak with a personal injury lawyer in Boca Raton. You may be entitled to compensation for your injury including the cost of past and future medical bills, past and future pain and suffering, lost and future wages, mental anguish, funeral expenses or other expenses that directly resulted from the accident. If you choose us to represent you, you will not be responsible for any legal fees or costs unless we are successful in your case.

Ruben E. Socarras, Esq., managing member of the firm that is based in Boca Raton, Florida, is an AV® Preeminent™ rated attorney focusing his practice in the areas civil litigation, wrongful death, catastrophic and personal injury law, among other areas of law. The AV® Preeminent™ designation is Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer review rating based on a legal professional’s skills and ethics. Please contact our firm today for more information about how we can assist you with your accident or injury case at 561-609-3190, or by filling out & submitting our online Contact Form. We offer a free consultation and there is no obligation to pay for legal fees or costs unless we successfully recover against the at-fault party. 

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