Each case brought before a civil judge must be considered with great care if all parties are to be treated fairly. Unfortunately, the uncertainty of a civil case’s life in court can prevent some parties from pursuing the claims that might make recovering compensation from incidents like car accidents simpler.
If you or a loved one were recently in a car accident, don’t let assumptions about the speed of the justice system (or lack thereof) prevent you from taking legal action against an offending party. You can sit down with a car accident attorney long before your case begins so as to discuss the generalized timeline of your case.
Your Car Accident Case’s Timeline
The timeline applied to your car accident claim depends first on you and second, on the court system. To start, you have two years from the day your accident takes place to bring your accident to the attention of a court, as established in Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003.
After that, a county clerk and similar representatives must undertake certain steps to ensure that your case can be brought forward. The speed of the action that follows depends on how you choose to procure compensation for your losses, as well as the complexity of your case.
What to Expect from the Justice System After Filing a Civil Car Accident Claim
After you file a civil claim with a county clerk, the court can take as long as necessary to weigh the value of your case. Upon your case’s approval, the party you name liable for your car accident losses has 30 days to respond to your accusations with an acknowledgment or challenge.
Once a viable party has responded to your claim, you have the option to customize your approach to your case. Specifically, you can arrange out-of-court negotiations with the liable party in question, during which you can discuss the compensation to which you may be entitled.
Should you prefer the oversight of a judge and jury, you can work with an attorney to begin the discovery process. Discovery can take several months as you, your attorneys, and the defense’s representatives work together to exchange information about the case in an attempt to settle it.
Negotiations Can Speed Along a Car Accident Case
Car accident negotiations get money into your hands faster than a civil trial. You dictate how these negotiations play out alongside a personal representative. You can meet with a liable party out of court as many times as is necessary to come to a settlement agreement.
You can also revisit negotiations even if your case moves to trial. If you find yourself dissatisfied with the amount of time the trial is taking, you can arrange a meeting with the defendant to discuss a plea deal or settlement agreement that might save both of you time in court.
Car Accident Trials Can Be Lengthy with Good Reason
It is rare for a car accident trial to resolve quickly. These cases can take anywhere from several months to years. The length of a car accident case often hinges on the complexity of liability and the availability of evidence.
Defendants who choose to argue their role in such an accident may also extend the length of the trial. That said, most car accident trials are as long as they are because they are thorough. A judge and jury can take every opportunity to explore the nature of your accident, elaborate on your losses, and ensure that each party is represented fairly.
Put another way, you trade time for the oversight of a judge and jury. You can discuss to what degree you’ll need that oversight and what timeline to anticipate with your car accident attorney.
Your Role in a Car Accident Civil Trial
You have the right to say early in your car accident trial how involved you want to be. We may be able to present the bulk of your case with only your written testimony. You may have to appear for examination and cross-examination, but you can otherwise put your case in the hands of our experienced professionals.
Should you choose to go to trial, you must be aware that there are certain inflexibilities. For example, judges expect you to attend required meetings at the set date and time. If you’re not able to make a particular date, you need to communicate with the judge to ensure that you don’t face consequences for not showing up.
Our team can help you keep lines of communication open.
We Keep You Updated as Your Car Accident Case Develops
It can be difficult to keep up with all of the spinning plates involved in your car accident case. Instead of making you track these changes on your own, our team can keep you up-to-date as your case develops. We will inform you within 24 hours of any new developments, as well as how these developments may impact your case’s proceedings.
It’s our job as your car accident attorneys to make your life as simple as possible in the wake of a crash. You can learn more about the timeline we anticipate for your case during an initial case consultation with one of our representatives.
Buzbee Law Firm’s Attorneys Will Manage Your Car Accident Case with Grace
No two car accident cases proceed on the same schedule. You can discuss the unique nature of your car accident case long before you take a complaint before a judge. Once you understand what manner of commitment you’re agreeing to, then you can better prepare yourself for the weeks, months, and maybe even years ahead.
If you have additional questions about your car accident case, don’t hesitate to reach out to Buzbee Law Firm. Our personal injury attorneys can meet with you, assess your case, and let you know what to expect from the legal process. You can contact us through our website or over the phone.
