An automobile accident can turn your world upside down.
After an accident, you may look to the legal system for help and there are often questions about the legal process. Thankfully, we’re here to help ease your mind and provide you with a few answers.
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How do you know if you qualify for a car accident lawsuit?
In the event you were less than at least 50 percent at fault (or no fault at all), you will qualify for a lawsuit filing. If you’re unsure if you have a case, speaking with an attorney will help you understand if your case qualifies.
How long does a car accident lawsuit take?
Car accident lawsuits can take anywhere from a few months to several years. Much of this depends on the jurisdiction and the size of the settlement for the case to move throughout the court system.
Many vehicle accident cases are settled and do not result with a civil lawsuit process. However, in the event of a dispute about the extent and scope of the injuries and/or who was to blame for the accident, a lawsuit would likely occur.
The litigation process for every case will differ based on several different factors, yet the following timeline helps break it down:
- The plaintiff files about the complaint, the lawsuit begins.
- The plaintiff gives a copy of the complaint to the defendant. If the defendant is difficult to find, this step may take months.
- The defendant responds to the complaint. The defendant has one month to do this after the plaintiff’s complaint is received.
- Both sides exchange information so that it may be served as evidence for the trial.
- The trial takes place. These trials only take roughly a day or two depending on the case.
- Once the trial is finished, there’s the possibility of an appeal if one of the parties isn’t satisfied with the end result of the trial. A single appeal may add years to a case and a final decision.
It is worth mentioning that this list leaves out several different parts of the lawsuit process, but everyone’s experience is different. So from beginning to end, it may take one year or longer for it to go through if there is no appeal case.
What is the average auto accident settlement payment?
With every case being different, it’s hard to say what the average auto accident settlement amount is. Settlements mainly rely on the suffering and pain you encounter. In instances of permanent or severe injuries, the settlement will be higher. If the other driver happened to be under the influence, it’s likely you’ll be compensated more. In the event that you’re filing your injury claim with the insurance company of the other driver, it’s worth noting that you will be limited by their policy’s maximum amount.
For example, if you’re looking to attain a rough estimate of what you may expect from a vehicle accident, you’ll need to add up the lost wages, vehicle repairs, and medical bills. Then, you’ll need to multiply that number by three. However, the cases concerning a long term disability (and the lack of work that comes along with it) can easily hit the several million-dollar mark.
Is there a time limit on how long you have to file a claim?
In many jurisdictions, the case must be filed within two years of the accident (as noted in the statute of limitations).
What is the first step to take after you’ve been in a car accident?
Once you’ve been in an accident and are injured, you must go to the hospital for care. In the event you don’t go to the hospital after an accident, contact your personal doctor so they know you may have been injured. You should also contact the police and have them file an accident report. You should keep a copy of this report for your personal records. This can be done by requesting a copy from your local law enforcement office. Before you leave the scene of the accident, the office will typically hand you an identification number for the police report, if you are not too injured. Once this is done, it’s time to consult an attorney.
When should you take out loans for lawsuits?
Some of the several questions one asks about lawsuit loans is:
- Is a loan on lawsuit an available option for me?
- What about settlement loans? If I’m looking at a high settlement, should I pay loans on settlement?
A lawsuit loan is a great option if you and your attorney feel confident about your case. This is especially true in the event you might need financial assistance in such a difficult time.
Considering the information above, reaching out to an attorney after an accident is necessary to understand what you may make from another driver’s poor judgment. With each scenario being unique, contacting Legal Bay might be your best option.
Contact us today for further information on how we can help you!
