If you are injured in an auto accident, your primary concerns are your physical health, managing property damage, and resolving any insurance claims. But what happens when your injuries or losses are substantial, the other driver is not insured, or your insurance company won’t cover what you’ve lost?
In these cases, your auto accident claim may go to trial instead. Here are some basics about what happens when your auto accident claim goes to trial.
What Happens When an Auto Accident Claim Goes to Trial?
In California, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. After you file a claim, here is what you may expect to happen:
-Discovery: Discovery is the part of the legal process in which both parties have the opportunity to gather and review evidence. This is one of the most lengthy portions of an auto accident claim, because it is the time when witnesses are interviewed, documents are gathered, and your case is built.
-Negotiations: After filing a claim, the other party has the option of negotiating a settlement. They may offer a private settlement amount in exchange for you dropping the lawsuit.
-Trial: If your case goes to trial, you can expect to spend time in the courtroom hearing witness testimony, reviewing evidence, and waiting for the judge and jury to decide the case. At the conclusion of the trial, the judge or jury will determine how much you should be awarded, if any.
-Appeals: It is common for any party unsatisfied with the outcome of the trial to file an appeal in attempt to get another verdict or judgment.
Every auto accident claim is different, and you should contact an attorney to learn more about what to expect in your case.