Timeline of a Houston Personal Injury Case / Accident Claim in Texas

Our attorneys are often asked, “How long does a personal injury case take in Houston” Every personal injury lawsuit has its own facts that make it unique. A claim that doesn’t require filing a lawsuit may be settled in a matter of months, while a personal injury case that goes to trial may take several years. The attorneys at Herrman & Herrman don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach to personal injury claims. But we have the experience that matters.

There are certain steps that are generally part of the process of pursuing a personal injury claim, as outlined below. The attorneys at Herrman & Herrman apply our extensive experience to seeking the full compensation available by law for our clients in Houston,Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, and Ft. Worth, TX.. We are successful in resolving most personal injury cases without a trial.

Houston Personal Injury Case Timeline

It all starts with a free consultation. Call us at (361) 882-4357 to schedule a case review.

1. Initial Meeting with Attorney: The initial meeting provides a chance to review the circumstances of the individual’s injury and discuss his or her legal options and whether a lawsuit is in order. You may have significant medical bills and loss of income if you have suffered a serious injury. You should not be stuck with those debts if someone else acted negligently and caused the injury. An personal injury attorney can discuss whether you have a right to pursue restitution for your losses. It’s helpful to bring any documentation of the accident, such as a police accident report, to the meeting.
2. Starting the Case: Herrman & Herrman will offer to represent you if your case is the type that our law firm handles. Our lawyer will explain the contingency fee arrangement and how it applies to your case. You will not owe a legal fee unless you receive compensation. If you agree to hire the firm, you will sign a retainer agreement.
3. Case Investigation: After you have retained legal representation, your lawyer will investigate the accident and gather your medical records and other evidence to support your claim. If your personal injury attorney believes that your case can be settled, the personal injury attorney will submit a demand letter to the at-fault party or the insurance company representing the at-fault party. This is the start of settlement negotiations. The demand letter will not be submitted until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement and the full costs of the injury can be calculated. The demand letter outlines your claim and requests compensation to cover all of your accident-related losses.
4. Settlement Negotiations: The insurance company may deny your claim, accept liability or respond to the demand letter with a counter-offer. Settlement negotiations can take months. It’s important to be represented by an experienced personal injury lawyer in negotiations. Otherwise, it may be difficult to determine whether a settlement offer is a reasonable amount. If a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will talk with you about filing a lawsuit and proceeding to court. It’s important to keep in mind that a settlement may be reached even after a lawsuit has been filed.
5. Discovery: After a lawsuit is filed and the defendant has responded, the two sides will enter the discovery phase. It includes taking sworn depositions from potential witnesses about the case. An experienced attorney will prepare you for the types of questions you are likely to be asked in the deposition. The discovery phase may take six months to a year, depending on how complicated the case is. It allows each side to understand the evidence in the case. At the end of discovery when the evidence is understood by both sides, settlement negotiations may proceed. The lawyers may negotiate directly or they may use a neutral mediator to try to reach a settlement. More cases are settled than tried in court.
6. What Happens at Trial: If a personal injury case has not been settled or resolved by the court via motion, the case may be scheduled for trial. But only a small portion of cases actually go to trial. The case may still be settled even after a trial date is set. If the lawsuit goes to trial, the case will be presented to a Texas judge and civil jury. A trial may last a few days, or longer, if the case is complex. The trial includes the selection of jurors, opening statements, testimony by witnesses, cross-examination by the opposing side, closing arguments, instructions to the jury and jury deliberation. The jury will consider the evidence and return a verdict. Herrman & Herrman is an established law firm with attorneys who have extensive trial experience. We know how to present your strongest case for full compensation.
7. Collecting Money After Judgment: If you win your personal injury case, the jury may award you damages for the losses you have unjustly suffered. Individuals who have insurance and businesses that are financially solvent generally pay the judgment ordered by the court. If the debtor refuses to pay a judgment, you may need to take further steps to identify assets and sources of income. You will need an attorney’s assistance to pursue the collection process.
8. Appealing a Judgment: The defendant may seek to appeal the verdict and the award of damages, depending on specific details of the case. It’s critical to have experienced legal guidance if the other side files an appeal. Our attorneys at Herrman & Herrman can pursue your personal injury case through the appellate process if necessary. If you have been injured by the carelessness of others, you should get information about your legal options and whether you are entitled to seek compensation. Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C. has deep roots in Texas. Gregory H. Herrman, who co-founded Herrman & Herrman, has been providing skilled legal representation to people in Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley for many years. Greg Herrman leads a team of lawyers who provide personalized service and trusted legal guidance to each client the law firm represents.

Schedule a free consultation with a Corpus Christi personal injury attorney by dialing (361) 882-4357. Call today.

How Long Does It Take To Settle My Case & How Long Until I Get Paid?

In typical lawyer fashion, and as you will hear many difficult questions answered, I will answer this important question with: “it depends on the totality of the circumstances.” Every case is its own entity and carries with it its own shelf-life. There are a few factors that will help us solve the riddle of how long a personal injury case can take. The first and most crucial factor when determining how long an injury case will take is: how severe are your injuries? The settlement process begins and the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel is seen when the patient/claimant/plaintiff is done with medical treatment.  

The attorney cannot settle or attempt to settle your personal injury claim until the attorney knows the full extent of your injuries and the full damage model. In the interest of justice and in the best interest of the client, most attorneys will not attempt to settle your personal injury claim until a substantial portion of your treatment is complete. Attorneys cannot speed up time and injuries do not heal faster than physically capable. The case is almost always going remain open until your injuries are almost entirely resolved. The extent of the injuries that you sustain in a car crash is often tied to how severe the collision was. 

As a rule of thumb, the longer your treatment plan is stemming from an automobile accident, the longer the case will likely last.  Similarly, if a plaintiff has minor injuries and resolves with treatment after 2 weeks, that plaintiff’s case will likely be shorter than a plaintiff whose treatment lasted for 10 weeks. Another factor for determining how long you can expect your case to last is whether your attorney needs to file a lawsuit. 

If your law firm needs to file a lawsuit for one reason or another, the case will last much longer than one that is resolved prior to litigation. There are extra steps, including depositions, discovery, designating experts, filing orders and motions, that slow down the process. A case in litigation can be handled relatively quickly, but most of the time these cases take 12 months or longer. On the contrary, if a lawsuit is not filed, the case can be handled very swiftly and efficiently.   

Pre-litigation cases are only limited to the extent of injuries and the length of treatment. Once treatment is completed, even the most complex of cases can be resolved within 3-4 months.  

Our firm has offices in the following locations: Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi South Side, Brownsville, McAllen, San Antonio, Houston, and Ft. Worth, TX.