What is a legal complaint, and how does it impact a personal injury claim in Indiana? Lawyers use legal complaints to start a case through the court system. Legal complaints are simply documents presented to the legal system.
You can learn more about legal complaints and what they include with a personal injury lawyer in Indiana from Vaughan & Vaughan. We can explain all the uses of this document and provide answers to your questions.
Learn more by filling out our online contact form or calling us.
What does a Legal Complaint Do?
A legal claim begins a case in Indiana. This document contains basic information about a potential legal matter. Depending on your situation, the legal complaint may include the following:
A Statement of Facts
The statement of facts should provide detailed information about the facts of your personal injury claim in Indiana.
A List of Parties Involved in the Claim
Your legal complaint should list the plaintiff and the defendant for official purposes. Your lawyer can ensure that everyone gets recorded appropriately in the document.
Causes of Action
Your lawyer can include the claims you’re making against the defendant in your legal complaint. For example, your legal complaint may consist of an assertion that another driver hit your vehicle in Indiana, causing you injuries and property damage.
Information About Jurisdiction for the Claim
The legal complaint also contains information about the location of the court that should hear the complaint. Lawyers include information about why the selected court has the power to render judgment in your case.
A Claim for Relief
Finally, the legal complaint should contain details about the specific compensation you want from the defendant for your injuries or losses.
Put another way: a legal complaint states a plaintiff’s claims about a specific defendant. The document also contains information about the plaintiff’s desired remedy.
What Is an Example of a Legal Complaint?
For example, a car accident lawyer in Indiana may file a legal complaint for a client after a rear-end collision. The lawyer would include information about the accident and identify the at-fault party in the complaint.
Your Case Will Get
The Attention It Deserves
What Is the Difference Between a Legal Complaint and a Lawsuit?
Generally, attorneys use the term “lawsuit” to refer to the entire process of filing a claim and moving through the legal system until the resolution of the claim. Lawsuits can involve going to court and receiving a jury verdict to decide the outcome of your legal case.
Legal complaints are the documents that begin lawsuits. Therefore, they’re part of the lawsuit process.
Who Makes a Legal Complaint?
The plaintiff – or the person seeking a remedy from a defendant – makes a legal complaint in Indiana. Generally, plaintiffs make these complaints with help from a personal injury attorney when dealing with matters in the civil court system.
You may make a legal complaint after any kind of accident that resulted in an injury, including car accidents and construction accidents.
What Happens After You Make a Legal Complaint?
After the plaintiff makes a legal complaint in Indiana, the defendant will respond by providing an answer. The defendant generally finds out about the complaint after getting served. Serving the complaint to the defendant tells them they’re facing a civil lawsuit and why.
The defendant’s answer must come as a formal response. Receiving the answer can allow the case to proceed forward.
Do You Have to Go to Court After Making a Legal Complaint?
Filing a legal complaint as a plaintiff in Indiana can start your civil lawsuit after a car, truck, motorcycle, or pedestrian accident. However, an attorney may continue with negotiation attempts after filing a legal complaint.
In some cases, defendants become more willing to negotiate after realizing they’ll have to go to court as an alternative, though this does not occur in all cases. You can learn more about potential settlements with our team.
How Long do You Have to File a Legal Complaint?
The amount of time you have to file a legal complaint after an accident in Indiana can vary based on numerous factors. However, you generally only have a few years to seek compensation for your losses before the statute of limitations runs out.
Therefore, personal injury lawyers in Indiana generally recommend beginning your claim quickly.
Once you reach out to a lawyer, they can go over the specifics of your situation and provide more information about the deadline for filing your legal complaint. Missing the deadline can prevent you from securing compensation for your losses.
Can You File a Legal Complaint Without a Lawyer?
You may file a legal complaint on your own in Indiana. However, working with a lawyer can ensure that your complaint includes all necessary information and supporting documents when necessary.
Getting professional legal help can reduce issues associated with filing a personal injury claim in Indiana. A lawyer can answer questions about each part of your claim, take care of the paperwork, and allow you to focus on your recovery.
How Much does It Cost to File a Legal Complaint?
You can expect to pay court fees when filing a civil complaint. Prices to file a claim vary based on your legal needs, with civil torts generally costing over a hundred dollars. A lawyer can review your situation and provide details about the specific fees for your case.
Speak to Us About Filing a Legal Complaint in Indiana
What is a legal complaint? This document marks the official start of a legal claim in Indiana. A personal injury lawyer can help you file a complaint against any party that caused an accident that injured you. You can learn more about the process with our team at Vaughan & Vaughan.
Call or fill out our online contact form to get started today.
