Expert Legal Assistance from Crosby & Crosby Law for Settlement of a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Based on our extensive experience as family law and personal injury lawyers, we know there is no definite answer to this question. How long does it take to settle a personal injury case? In some instances, the settlement might come in a matter of weeks. In other cases, the process might take months or even years to reach a settlement or arrive at a jury verdict.
The Illinois Statute of Limitations
First, it’s important to emphasize that in seeking compensation for the damages you’ve suffered, time is of the essence. Under Illinois law, the statute of limitations for personal injury is two years. Hence, there is no time to waste in pursuing your claim for damages and restitution.
Compensation to Which You Might Be Entitled
In a personal injury case, you may be entitled to damages for:
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Your medical bills
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Lost wages
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Property damage
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Pain and suffering
Steps to Take Following Your Accident
Given the limited time you have to pursue your claim for damages, these are the steps that should be taken following your accident.
1) Get medical treatment: Even if you feel you have not suffered severe injuries, you should go to a hospital emergency room. You may be suffering from internal injuries that are not immediately apparent. Additionally, the medical records will be essential in pursuing your claim for damages.
2) Secure legal assistance: You will need the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer to pursue your case. At your initial consultation, the attorney will examine your case and explain your legal options if they believe you have grounds for a lawsuit. If they do, your lawyer will begin gathering evidence in support of your claim, including the accounts of eyewitnesses to the accident.
3) File your claim and engage in negotiations: After the initial gathering of evidence, your attorney will contact the at-fault party and their insurance company, explaining your damages and their liability for these damages. At this point, negotiations may lead to a settlement, and your case will end at this time.
If the negotiations fail to produce an acceptable settlement offer, your attorney will file a suit in an Illinois civil court. However, they will wait until you are nearly healed to better determine the compensation to which you are entitled for your medical treatment. This means that the more serious your injuries, the longer your case is likely to take.
4) Engage in discovery and (possible) mediation: At this point, you and the at-fault party and your respective attorneys will gather and exchange additional information related to your claim and depose witnesses. This process could take several months.
During this stage, you may engage in additional negotiations or possibly even mediation. If no satisfactory resolution is reached, you will proceed to trial.
5) Go to trial and secure a verdict: At trial, you and your attorney will present evidence in support of your claim, while the opposing party and their attorney will make their case rebutting your claim. At the conclusion of your case, the court will determine if you’re entitled to compensation and if so, how much you should receive.
Depending on the complexities of your case, your trial could be over in a day, or it could last for a week or longer.
At Crosby & Crosby Law, We Are Ready to Assist You
If you feel you have a claim for compensation for injuries you have suffered, we urge you to contact our law firm for an initial free consultation. We will carefully review your case and explain what must be done to secure the compensation to which you’re entitled.
As we have said, time is of the essence, and we urge you not to delay. Contact the firm of Crosby & Crosby today!
