In order to be successful, the pursuit of a lawsuit needs to include all of the following stages. The abandonment of any stage weakens the case of the person that has chosen to sue the defendant.

The first of the stages begins at the moment of the accident for which the defendant was allegedly responsible.

Anyone who hopes to win a personal injury lawsuit should have made an effort to see a member of the medical profession as soon as possible, after having sustained the reported injury. Because some injuries have late-appearing symptoms, all accident victims should make a point of visiting a doctor’s office, a hospital or a clinic within the 24 hours that have followed any noteworthy accident.

The second stage

During this period, the victim of the accidental occurrence must consult with at least one lawyer. Ideally, consultations with several lawyers should take place, so that the potential client can select the one that seems most ready to handle that the case that the possible client has presented to that same attorney.

The 3rd stage

This marks the time when the chosen Personal Injury Lawyer in Waterdown investigates the details of the client’s claim. That should involve studying the relevant documents, such as a police report, along with the client’s medical records. It could also involve an effort to speak with various witnesses.

The 4th stage

At this point in time, the state’s statute of limitations plays a role in any decisions made. That statute should give deadline. That deadline would indicate the last day on which the victim/client could file a personal injury claim. Submission of a claim after that date would not allow for a scheduling of all that the client had envisioned for the rest of the lawsuit’s proceedings.

Clients seldom know the details in the statute of limitations, but lawyers have become familiar with those specific details. That simple fact helps to underline the importance of the lawyer’s role, even before the process has moved forward to the period that precedes and includes litigation.

The last of the stages

This final aspect of the lawsuit process begins with the filing of a complaint. Once a court has received a legitimate complaint, it then schedules a discovery session. That means arranging for interrogatories and a series of depositions.

Sometimes, the 2 parties settle their dispute, after the sharing of evidence. When a settlement has not been achieved, the court schedules a trial. The client’s lawyer faces the defendant’s lawyer in a courtroom.

During the trial, the jury hears and views the evidence. Then members of the jury deliberate and arrive at a verdict. The judge receives the verdict and announces the jury’s decision to everyone in the courtroom.