If you have been injured due to the fault of others, you may quite normally be wondering how long it will take to fully resolve your Oklahoma personal injury claim, should you decide to pursue one.
Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer to this question.
The time it takes to resolve an Oklahoma personal injury claim depends on a variety of factors, such as the seriousness of your injuries, the circumstances that contributed to your injury, and the various complexities of your particular case.
Resolving your Oklahoma Personal Injury Claim
Each case differs, so it’s rather hard to precisely forecast how much time it will take to fully resolve your individual claim. Accident injury and slip and fall cases are generally resolved within a couple of years.
However, health-related malpractice cases usually take considerably more time to be totally resolved because of the complex nature this type of personal injury claim.
Most Oklahoma personal injury claims are resolved without going to trial, and in most cases this is preferable. But in some cases, it is necessary to go to court in order to receive all of the compensation that you deserve.
Typically, a lawsuit is only required when the other party’s insurance company disagrees with who is at fault, the extent of your injuries, or how much compensation you deserve.
If you need to go to court to resolve your Oklahoma personal injury claim, time must be allotted to account for the trial, as well as any appeal.
If and when you do file a lawsuit, both parties will first begin with what is referred to as pre-trial discovery. During this period, which usually last six months to a year, the parties to the lawsuit begin compiling information and evidence to make their cases.
This includes evaluating your injuries and obtaining medical records, examining police reports, obtaining oral depositions, gathering witnesses, and investigating all other aspects of the claim.
This pre-trial period is also the time when both parties exchange settlement offers in an attempt to resolve the case before going to trial.
If you do agree to a settlement, you will be required to sign an agreement releasing the other party from any further liability for your injuries. So, before signing any type of release, you should take the time to fully evaluate your injuries.
Sometimes the actual extent of your injuries will not be observable until some time has passed. If you sign a release before knowing the full extent of your injuries, you will be barred from receiving any further compensation in the future.
Summary
Every personal injury case differs, and just how much time it will take to resolve your Oklahoma personal injury claim depends on many different variables.
However, unless the claim involves medical malpractice or extensive bodily injuries, it is highly unusual for a case to last more than two years.
It may also take some time for you and your doctors to know the full extent of your injuries, so be patient with getting your injuries evaluated. Also, never sign any documents without first having them reviewed by an experienced Oklahoma personal injury attorney.
Free Consultation:
Oklahoma City Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured, get in touch with our Oklahoma City personal injury attorney today. Your first confidential consultation is free, and there is never any obligation.
For immediate assistance, call the Personal Injury Law Office of Oklahoma City at 405-716-HURT (716-4878).