What happens if you go to court for a car accident in Indiana? Going to court can allow you to seek compensation for all the losses caused by the accident, but you’ll only receive funds for your losses if a car accident lawyer shows that someone else caused the collision.
The legal process generally involves several steps, including a period of discovery and the filing of motions by lawyers. Our team at Vaughan & Vaughan can walk you through each step involved in a car accident lawsuit while helping you seek funds to cover your expenses.
Find out more by calling or filling out our online contact form. An Indiana car accident lawyer can help you with your claim.
How do You Take a Car Accident Claim to Court?
Many car accident cases in Indiana do not automatically go to court. Instead, you have to work with a personal injury lawyer in Indiana to file a lawsuit in the civil court system.
However, your lawyer may recommend negotiating with insurance agents before filing a lawsuit. In many cases, lawyers settle with insurance agents out of court, allowing you to avoid the costs associated with a lawsuit.
If your lawyer advises a lawsuit, the law firm can gather information and file the appropriate documents to get your claim moving.
What Happens After You File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
After you file a lawsuit for an Indiana car accident case, the at-fault driver will have a chance to respond to the legal paperwork. Depending on the response of the liable driver, you can expect the following:
A Period of Discovery
Generally, car accident lawsuits go through a discovery period after filing the claim. During discovery, your car accident attorney gathers evidence and digs into the facts of the collision, often speaking to witnesses and obtaining police reports about the wreck.
The attorney representing the other driver also collects evidence during this period. Gathering evidence matters. For example, a drunk driving car accident lawyer in Indiana might look for records of the other driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC).
Your Attorney to File Motions
Lawyers have a chance to file motions before the car accident lawsuit begins. For example, your attorney may file a motion to block specific evidence. We can explain this aspect of your claim when you contact us.
The responsible driver may decide to settle at any point during this period, which may end your legal claim.
Your Court Case to Proceed
If the liable driver decides not to settle, your case may go to court in Indiana. Once the case goes to court, you may expect the following:
- The court to select a jury for your claim
- Your lawyer to present their opening statement
- Lawyers to question witnesses on the stand
- The attorneys to present their closing arguments
After the lawyers finish their presentations, the judge and jury can make a decision about your claim, potentially awarding you funds to cover all of your losses. The other driver may also decide to settle throughout the claim.
What Compensation do You Get If You Go to Court for a Car Accident?
When you go to court for a car accident in Indiana, you may have a chance to secure funds to cover all of your expenses. A car accident attorney can focus on bringing you compensation for your:
- Current and future healthcare expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earnings
- Property damage caused by the car crash
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish in Indiana
We understand that car wrecks can result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and other serious ailments.
The funds you receive may vary based on the severity of your losses and the court’s decision. Your attorney can review your specific expenses to provide you with more detailed information about your possible compensation.
You may also file a claim for a loved one killed in a fatal car accident, securing funds for funeral and burial costs with help from an Indiana wrongful death lawyer.
How Long do You Have to Go to Court for a Car Accident?
You must proceed with your lawsuit before the Indiana statute of limitations for car accident claims runs out. Generally, you have a few years to begin your claim, though there are exceptions in some cases.
Your Indiana car accident attorney can review the deadlines for your claim, ensuring you don’t miss your window to seek compensation.
How do You Get Damages If You Go to Court for a Car Accident?
It’s natural to wonder what happens to your compensation if you go to court for a car accident. The court system may order the at-fault driver to deliver a single payment covering your losses, or you may receive multiple payments.
Your car accident lawyer in Indiana can help you learn more about these options with a risk-free consultation.
How Long does a Lawsuit Take for a Car Accident in Indiana?
You can expect a lawsuit for a car accident in Indiana to take at least several months. Some cases take over a year to resolve, and you generally only receive compensation after the court’s final decision.
What does It Cost to Go to Court for a Car Accident?
The cost of handling a car accident lawsuit in Indiana can vary. Generally, personal injury lawyers handle these claims using a contingency system and only charge legal fees after they resolve the claim in their client’s favor.
After handling the claim, your lawyer will receive a percentage of your final compensation. We can provide more details about contingency charges when you contact us for help.
Speak to Us About Going to Court for a Car Accident
What happens if you go to court for a car accident in Indiana? You may have a chance to seek compensation to cover your losses through a jury verdict. You can learn more about this process with our team at Vaughan & Vaughan.
Call or fill out our online contact form to get started.
