When motorists and passengers are hurt in auto accidents that are not their fault, they have the right to pursue compensation from the liable parties. The claims process is fairly complicated, though, so if you were injured in a crash that someone else caused, you should hire an accident & personal injury attorney to represent you. A lawyer will guide you through every stage of the proceedings, so you can focus on recovering.

To give you an idea of what the process entails, below are the three stages of claims involving auto accidents:

1. The Initial Petition

Every personal injury claim begins with a petition, which is essentially an official complaint regarding the incident in question. For example, petitions following auto accidents will identify all parties involved, state the circumstances of the collision, and detail the outcome that the plaintiff is seeking, which is most likely a financial settlement for all damages incurred. Your attorney will help you draft this complaint to ensure there are no errors and file it with all appropriate parties.

2. The Discovery Phase

During the discovery phase, both the plaintiff and defendant set out to gather information regarding the accident to build their respective cases, including gathering documents and completing depositions. Depending on the nature of the facts that surface, negotiations are likely to follow.

3. The Settlement

Most personal injury cases are settled before they reach trial, regardless of whether they involve medical malpractice. During this stage, your attorney will negotiate on your behalf for the largest settlement possible. If the opposing party refuses to work with you, the case may then proceed to trial.

If you were injured as a result of an auto accident and you want to file a claim against the liable party, the personal injury attorneys at Osborne, Tripp & Schmidt in Sparta, WI, will help you secure the compensation you deserve. You can learn more about the broad range of quality legal services they provide by visiting their website. To schedule an initial consultation with an attorney, call (608) 269-2400 today.