If you have been injured in an accident, you might be wondering whether a personal injury lawsuit could help compensate you for your injuries. You likely have questions about the necessity of filing a lawsuit, the process involved, and the potential outcomes. To get accurate answers and advice on your legal rights, it’s essential to consult with a local personal injury lawyer.

What Is a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

A personal injury lawsuit is a legal case filed by someone who has been injured in an accident caused, at least in part, by another person or entity. It is important to note that if your injury was solely due to your actions, a lawsuit may not be appropriate for you. In a personal injury lawsuit, the injured party (the plaintiff) seeks to prove that the other party (the defendant) was responsible for the accident and should be held legally accountable. If the court finds the defendant liable, they must pay monetary damages to the plaintiff.

Common Types of Personal Injury Claims

Personal injuries can occur in a wide variety of ways and result in many different types of claims. Below are a few of the most common examples:

• Car, truck, or motorcycle accident injuries
• Slip and fall accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Emotional distress, lost wages and medical bills from an injury accident
• Insurance disputes

The Steps in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Personal injury lawsuits involve multiple steps, including gathering evidence (discovery), questioning witnesses (depositions), and potentially going to trial. These cases can take time to progress through the court system and may incur expenses. Due to the time and cost involved, many personal injury claims are settled before reaching trial.

Not Ready to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

If you’re not ready to file a personal injury lawsuit, it’s still crucial to schedule a free consultation with an attorney for two main reasons:

1. Alternative Options for Compensation: An experienced lawyer can inform you about your available alternatives to filing a lawsuit to help you obtain compensation for your damages suffered. We understand many people want to avoid going to court, but you should consider other options available to you.
2. Statute of Limitations: Oklahoma laws set a deadline or limit the time you must file a lawsuit after your accident. Taking too long to pursue your legal remedies could result in your case being dismissed because it is time barred. Your injury attorney can act promptly to help protect your rights to seek compensation.

What are Potential Alternatives to a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

It is common for personal injury lawsuits to be resolved through settlement before the case goes to trial. A settlement involves the party responsible for your injuries (or their insurance company) paying a sum of money to you in exchange for your agreement not to pursue your legal claims. A settlement agreement can be reached at any time during the process and, once a settlement is finalized, the lawsuit is typically dismissed “with prejudice” which means the injured party can never file those same claims again.

A seasoned personal injury attorney can help you pursue settlement of your case. It is essential to have evidence supporting your damages, such as medical bills, missed wages, and other expenses resulting from your injury.

Need Legal Help After an Injury Accident? Call BMO Today

Were you injured in a serious accident where someone else was at fault? You need legal advice about filing a personal injury lawsuit or reaching a settlement. The knowledgeable team of personal injury lawyers at Babbit, Mitchell and Ogle can help you determine what is next. We are on your side when it comes to negotiating with the insurance company, going to court, or simply learning about your options. Our law firm offers free consultations to accident victims and their families. Call us at (405) 692-7676 to schedule a consultation.