When you’re the victim of a car crash or slip-and-fall incident, the first question you may have when asked if you want to pursue compensation against the negligent party is, “How long will it take?” Unfortunately for many, they may not want to go through the whole process of a personal injury case and end up relinquishing their right to compensation. The following blog explores what you should know about how long these cases can take and how a Tom Green County, Texas personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you are entitled to.
What Are the Steps in the Process?
When you are involved in an incident that leaves you injured, whether caused by a motor vehicle collision or a defective product, you generally have two years from the day your injury occurred to pursue compensation. The only exception is if you are injured on government property in Texas, as this reduces the time you have to file to six months.
Once you decide to file, you must contact an attorney to help you file the complaint to begin your case. Once you’ve done this, the discovery process will begin. This is the exchange of information between both parties so they can gather all the necessary documents and evidence to prepare for trial if necessary. To prepare for a court battle, your attorney will likely file pre-trial motions, which are decisions that must be decided before the trial begins.
After the pre-trial motions are filed, you may attempt to settle with the defendant. In most cases, this is where your lawsuit will end. However, if you cannot come to an agreement, you may proceed to a trial, which will proceed as usual.
What Factors Influence How Long a Personal Injury Case Takes?
There are a number of factors that can impact how long your personal injury case will take in Texas. While most of these are out of your control, the one thing you can do to shorten the time between your injury and compensation is to file as soon as possible. Even though you have two years, the sooner you file, the quicker you may achieve a resolution.
Generally, the following factors can influence the length of your case:
- The severity of your injury
- How complex your case is
- If there is a heavy caseload in your area
- Whether or not the defendant is willing to settle
- The amount of damages
- How patient you are
In most instances, you can expect your case to take anywhere from one to three years, depending on the aforementioned factors.
If injured due to the negligence of another person, you should pursue the compensation you’re entitled to. At the Mathis Law Firm, our dedicated legal team will do everything possible to help you receive the justice you deserve. Our firm will work to help this process go as smoothly as possible. Contact us today to learn how we can help you during these challenging times.
