How Personal Injury Cases Work
How Personal Injury Cases Work
Like all law, the way personal injury cases work is complex, nuanced, and challenging. If you have looked at our Client Bill of Rights and Guiding Principles, you know that keeping you informed about the legal process and your case is a top priority.
This excerpt about how personal injury cases work is from our Client’s Guide to Your Personal Injury Case ©2016, 2008, 2004 document which we present to all of our clients as soon as we start work on your case.
Note: The following information is general information that applies to many, but not all cases, under Indiana law. Other laws may apply to specific cases, and most laws have exceptions. This information is not a substitute for proper legal advice specific to your situation. If you need information specific to your case, consult a competent attorney, or request a free consultation. Because this is excerpted from our Client Guide it refers to “you” – meaning our client who is given the Client Guide. Of course, the information applies only to clients of Cloutier Law Offices, P.C.
WHAT TO EXPECT OF THE LEGAL PROCESS IN PERSONAL INJURY CASES
From the moment an incident occurs to the time it’s settled or finished in court, there are dozens of steps, processes, and questions you will face as you navigate your case. That’s why we are so focused on our attorney-client relationships – we know it is vital for you to be supported and informed at each stage. These steps, questions, and processes are not all-inclusive, but a great way to prepare for how your case will unfold.
> Legal Deadlines
> How long does it take and how does it work?
> Evidence and witnesses: what you need to know and do
> Your medical care and providers
> Paying medical bills: your medical bills, insurance, and “subrogation”
> What determines if I win or lose, and how much money?: basics of personal injury law
LEGAL DEADLINES
Most people have heard of the term “statute of limitations” which refers, generally, to the amount of time a person has to file a particular kind of case. But there are other laws that create legal “deadlines” by which certain actions must be taken.
The laws governing deadlines for taking action can be very complex and can depend on the specific facts of a case. You may have heard that, very generally speaking, under Indiana law pertaining to personal injury cases, a person has two years from the time he or she was injured to file suit, which even where that rule applies, makes the deadline the day before the two-year anniversary. (Other states and other kinds of cases have different rules.) But this is not even close to the full story. There are numerous laws and exceptions to laws that govern legal deadlines. Many of these can shorten the time in which