Filing a personal injury claim can be an intimidating and anxiety-inducing decision, especially if you are unfamiliar with the legal system. It is important to be aware of what will happen after you file a personal injury claim so that you can adequately prepare yourself and understand the process.

If you are considering filing a personal injury claim, you might want to seek the legal assistance of a skilled attorney. Our Spokane personal injury lawyer at West Law Office can help you at every step of the claims process to ensure that you do everything correctly and do not miss any deadlines when seeking the compensation to which you are entitled.

Five Things to Expect After a Personal Injury Claim is Filed

Here are the five things you should expect after filing a personal injury claim.

1. Investigation of the Case

After filing your case, your lawyer will investigate your situation in order to determine whether or not your case has merit and how much compensation may be due to you for your injuries. This investigation will typically include collecting relevant evidence such as medical records, witness statements, photos, and more. Depending on the circumstances, it may also involve consulting with experts and obtaining expert opinions.

1. Consultation With Experts

In some cases, it may be necessary to consult with experts in order to evaluate the strength and accuracy of evidence collected during the investigation stage. Consultation with experts can help provide additional insight into whether there is enough evidence for a successful resolution of the case. This step is especially important when seeking compensation for more serious or life-altering injuries.

1. Negotiation of the Claim With the Insurance Company

Once an adequate amount of evidence has been collected, negotiations between you (or, ideally, your lawyer) and the insurance company responsible for compensating you for your injuries will begin. The goal of this negotiation process is to reach an agreement on how much money should be paid out in compensation. However, if both parties cannot come to an agreement through negotiation, then litigation may become necessary.

1. Litigation (if Negotiation Fails)

If negotiations fail to resolve the matter at hand, litigation may become necessary in order for both parties involved to reach an agreement for compensation. During litigation, both parties will present their respective arguments before a judge, who then makes a ruling on who is liable for what amount of damages incurred by each party involved in the dispute.

Note: Keep in mind that Washington is a comparative negligence state, which means both parties can be held liable for the accident. If so, their respective compensation will be reduced in proportion to their degree of negligence pursuant to RCW § 4.22.005.

1. Resolution of the Case

Once all arguments have been made and all evidence presented before the court during the litigation process, the judge will make a final ruling on who is liable for what amount of damages incurred by each party involved in the dispute. The ruling also determines how much money should be paid out in compensation and brings closure to the conflict between the two parties involved.   

Get the Legal Guidance You Need Right Now

Filing a personal injury claim can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to feel this way if you know what steps lie ahead. If you are considering filing a personal injury claim, let our knowledgeable and results-driven lawyer at West Law Office guide you through the process. Our lawyer will be by your side every step of the way to ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries. Call 509-993-0748 to schedule a free consultation today.