After an accident, you should get emergency help, speak to the police if necessary, and contact an attorney. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses. A personal injury lawsuit may help you get everything you need to recover and move on.
The trial process for a personal injury begins with a formal complaint filed with the right court. Once the case is in motion, we must navigate the pre-trial phase. We may have access to the other side’s evidence during the discovery phase. We can also file pre-trial motions to exclude evidence we believe is inadmissible. The trial itself is an extremely formal proceeding, and strict court rules must be followed at all times. If successful, you may be awarded the fair compensation you need.
Ask our personal injury attorneys for a free initial review of your case by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407.
What You Should Do After Being Injured in an Accident
What happens right after an accident is just as important as what happened during. Taking the following steps will allow you to get the help you need, both medically and legally.
You must first call 911 and ask for emergency medical help. Depending on the situation, you might need an ambulance ride to the emergency room. You should also get the police involved, but this may also vary based on the nature of the accident.
While waiting for help, take pictures of the accident scene. Your photos may save details that would otherwise be lost after the authorities clean up the accident scene. Also, exchange contact information with others, including the person who caused the accident.
If you do not exchange information with anyone, it may be much harder for our personal injury attorneys to locate witnesses later.
When you are ready, contact a lawyer to discuss the situation. Your attorney should help you figure out the best way to get compensation.
The Trial Process in a Westport Personal Injury Case
Trials take many weeks, months, or even years of preparation. Your attorney can steer your case through the trial process while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
The Complaint
Your case begins when we file a formal complaint against the defendant. The complaint is a lengthy legal document that spells out everything about your case, including details about you, the defendant, your damages, and the evidence we have to support your claims.
If anything in the complaint is incomplete or otherwise lacking, the court may demand more information or even reject the case.
Additionally, we must make sure that we file the case with the right court. Not all civil courts are the same, and we must file the case with the court that has jurisdiction over the case.
Pre-Trial Phase
Once the complaint is filed and accepted, we can begin the pre-trial phase. During this time, we may have to attend numerous pre-trial hearings to update the court about the status of the case. We may also meet with the defendant and possibly work out a settlement.
The discovery phase also happens during this period. During discovery, the parties must exchange all their relevant evidence so that each side has a fair chance to build a case. If the opposing party does not turn over everything, we can get the court to compel them to do so.
During this time, we may file pre-trial motions that may affect what can and cannot be heard during the trial. If the opposing party wants to introduce inadmissible evidence, we can file a pre-trial motion to stop them.
The Trial
The trial is when we present our evidence and arguments to the court. Everything we have prepared in the weeks or months prior will culminate during the trial. As such, this is a critical stage that must be handled carefully.
A major element of the trial is strict courtroom procedures. There are rules about everything, including when to talk, when to ask questions, what kind of questions you can ask, when to object, and when you must remain silent. If the rules are broken, your case might be in jeopardy.
Your attorney should have the skills and experience to navigate complex courtroom procedures.
Factors That Influence Your Personal Injury Case’s Value
The value of your case may vary based on numerous factors surrounding the accident.
First, we should consider the severity of your injuries. If injuries are minor, you may recover damages, but they are unlikely to be that high. However, if injuries are extremely painful, complex, or come with lasting complications, they may be worth more because of medical costs and your pain and suffering.
Your injuries may also prevent you from working, which may cost you income. The longer you are unable to work, the more income you lose, and the greater your damages may be. Those who might never be able to return to work may claim even more damages for the loss of their career.
Economic expenses also drive up damages. The more money you spend, the more damages you can claim. If property was destroyed, like a car, a wedding ring, or an expensive watch, your damages should be higher.
Where to Find Evidence to Support Your Westport Personal Injury Case
Evidence for your case may come from almost anywhere, and your attorney can help you determine where to look.
We can begin by gathering records related to the accident. If the authorities investigated, there may be a police report containing information about evidence we have yet to uncover. Your medical records may help us prove your injuries and other damages. If you are suing a business, business records may be necessary to prove your claims.
The accident scene may also contain evidence, but it may be lost when it is cleared away. It is a good idea to record photos and videos of the accident scene to preserve these details.
Call Our Westport Personal Injury Attorneys Now
Ask our personal injury attorneys for a free initial review of your case by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407.