What You Should Know About The Personal Injury Trial Process
If you are injured due to the negligence of another party, one option for compensation is a personal injury lawsuit. Although many personal injury lawsuits are settled out of court, you may have to go to court for a final decision. If this happens to you, you should be aware of how the process will work. Here is some information on the personal injury trial process:
The Attorneys Make Opening Statements
After the jury is selected and in place, the attorneys for the respective parties will start with an opening statement. During the statement, each attorney will explain the reason for the case and argue why either party should win the claim. The attorneys will provide an explanation as to how they believe the case should end, including how much the defendant should pay the plaintiff if that side of the case wins.
The Trial Starts
Once the opening statements are finished, your attorney will ask witnesses to come forward to support your case. At this time, your attorney will question the witnesses to help explain why you should receive compensation from the defendant. This can include medical providers, your employer, accident reconstructionist, and the like. You may be asked to witness as well. Your attorney will ask you to go through the event leading up to your injuries. You may also be asked how the injury has changed your life.
After your attorney has finished questioning witnesses, the defendant's attorney will then have the opportunity to question them as well. This will include you if you choose to testify. When you are questioned, remain calm and answer any questions as straightforwardly as possible. Try not to get emotional on the stand, as it could harm your case.
This part of the trial is typically the longest, depending on how many witnesses are called.
The Attorneys Make Closing Arguments
After the witness testimony is over, the attorneys for both parties will provide a closing argument. This is similar to an opening argument, in which the attorneys will summarize the findings of the case. They will each provide reasons why the case should subsequently be found in their party's favor.
The Jury Deliberation Begins
After the closing statements are made, the judge will give the case to the jury. At that time, the jury will be given instructions on how to proceed. They will use the information provided through the trial to make a decision as to who will win. This process can also take a long time, depending on the complexities of the case.
Contact injury lawyer referral services to learn more about the process.