Personal injury lawsuits are extremely complex. Further, as many who are seriously injured from the negligent or reckless actions of others rely on the compensation they receive from personal injury lawsuits, it is vital that victims never go through this process alone. Many insurance companies attempt to quickly offer the injured individual a lump sum of money. However, before speaking to any insurance company or accepting any settlement, you must consult a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney. The reason for this is that some insurance companies will try to lowball an injured individual with their initial settlement.

At Antonoplos & Associates Attorneys at Law, our Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyer’s main focus is representing injury victims and not large corporations or insurance companies. The reason for this is that our firm’s goal is to help injured individuals and their families protect their legal rights using ethical and aggressive advocacy. With two decades of personal injury experience, our group of Washington, D.C. personal injury attorneys are here to take you through the entire personal injury lawsuit process. The following four phases of a personal injury lawsuit are general and may not apply to you depending on your specific claim.

Starting a Lawsuit: Filing Papers

Filing papers begins with a preliminary process that can take months to a year to complete. This process will include considerable investigation and legal research to determine if your case is likely to be successful. If after thoroughly researching and investigating your case we feel that your case has merit, our group of knowledgeable and experienced attorneys will file the necessary paperwork with your local court. This paperwork typically includes a complaint that outlines your case against the defendant. After drafting your complaint, the legal document will be given to the defendant who can respond to these allegations.

Discovery: Investigation and Research

During the discovery phase of a trial, our group of personal injury attorneys will seek to gather relevant information to support your case. This could include consulting field specialists such as reconstructionists, engineers, physicians, and other experts.

Resolution before Trial: Settlements

Typically, a personal injury lawsuit will be settled before reaching the courtroom. In this case, the defendant agrees to pay damages; in return, the plaintiff agrees to abandon any further legal action. With over 20 years of experience, our personal injury attorney will be able to expertly advise you on whether a settlement is in your best interest.

Trial

The final step in a lawsuit is taking your case to trial. In this phase, we will state your case in front of a judge and jury to determine if the defendant is liable for damages—and the cost of these damages. If your case is successful, we will continue to work with you and ensure that you are paid promptly.

Contact Our DC Law Office for More Information

Finally, for more on the stages of a personal injury lawsuit, contact us at 202-803-5676. You can also directly schedule a consultation with one of our skilled attorneys. Additionally, for general information regarding personal injury law, check out our blog.