How long your Oklahoma personal injury case will take to settle depends on a number of different of variables, chiefly the seriousness of your injuries, the complexities of your personal injury case, and the circumstances that contributed to you being injured. This article will discuss some of the factors involved to determine the length of time it takes to settle a personal injury case in Oklahoma. For more detailed information, consult an experienced personal injury lawyer who can review the facts of your case and help you determine what is in your best interest when pursuing a personal injury claim.
Going to Court
Each personal injury case is different; therefore, it is difficult to predict accurately how long your personal injury case will take to settle. In most cases, it is preferable to settle without going to court. However, you may need to go to court to get the compensation you deserve. If you have to go to court, you should expect to spend time on the initial trial and any appeals as well.
However, the overwhelming majority of personal injury cases in Oklahoma are settled without going to trial. Accident injury cases, such as slips and falls, are usually settled within two years. Medical malpractice cases, on the other hand, can last many years due to the complex nature of these types of lawsuits.
Typically, going to court is only required if liability is disputed or if there is a large gap between the amount of compensation you are looking to receive and how much the other party’s insurance company wants to give you. Therefore, you should preserve as much evidence of the accident, or circumstance, that caused your injuries as possible. Also, it is advisable to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer who can review the facts of your case to give you a better understanding of the complexities involved in pursuing your personal injury compensation claim.
Other Factors
The first year of a personal injury case is devoted to pretrial discovery, during which the parties involved exchange information and compile evidence such as police reports, oral depositions, witness testimony and medical records to build their cases. This part of the process is also the time when most of the attempts to settle out of court will be made.
The biggest contributing factor to the length of pretrial discovery will be the doctor’s prognosis. It may take some time before the full extent of some injuries can be assessed. Therefore, it is in a claimant’s best interest to wait to find out the full extent of any permanent impairment and the amount of the medical treatment he or she may need before accepting any settlement offer.
If and when you do agree to a settlement, you will be required to release the other party from any further liability for your injuries. Therefore, before accepting any settlement or signing any type of release, it is extremely important that you know the full extent of your injuries. If you accept a settlement too early, you run the risk of not being fully compensated for the amount of future pain, suffering, and medical bills your injuries might cost you. A skilled personal injury lawyer will work ardently for you during this time to help you make the wisest decisions regarding your settlement.
Conclusion
Each personal injury case is different, so it difficult to predict how long your case may take. Cases that go to court take longer to settle. However, with the exception of medical malpractice cases, most personal injury cases are settled out of court in less than 2 years. Once your case is settled, you will be required to release the other party from any future liability for your injuries. Therefore, you should not rush to settle any personal injury case until the full extent of your injuries and the medical treatment that you will require is fully known. An accomplished personal injury lawyer will help you make these decisions in order to pursue what is in your best interest ultimately.
Low-cost Consultation: Sapulpa Personal Injury Lawyer
For a initial consultation with a Sapulpa personal injury lawyer, call the Wirth Law Office – Sapulpa attorney at (918) 248-0067 or toll-free at (888) 947-8452. You may also submit the question form at the top right of this page. Either way you reach out to us, we will promptly respond to your legal concerns about your unique personal injury situation.
