If you were injured in a car accident in Murfreesboro caused by someone else’s negligence, you may need to file a lawsuit to recover the compensation you are owed. While most claims do settle outside of court, there are situations where litigation becomes the best path forward, such as if liability is in dispute.
The timeline of your case will vary depending on the facts and circumstances of your situation. That said, most Murfreesboro car accident lawsuits move through a predictable series of stages. Read on to learn what each one involves and how an attorney can help you navigate the process.
What Happens Before a Lawsuit Is Filed?
Your personal injury attorney in Murfreesboro will typically try to resolve the matter through the insurance claims process prior to taking legal action in court. This begins with an investigation into the accident, followed by a demand letter sent to the at-fault driver’s insurer laying out the full value of your case. If the insurance company responds with a reasonable offer, the case may settle right there.
In many situations, though, the insurer either denies the claim outright or offers far less than what your case is actually worth. If negotiations reach that kind of dead end, your attorney may recommend moving forward with a lawsuit. Tennessee law requires that personal injury lawsuits be filed within one year of the accident under T.C.A. § 28-3-104, so this decision cannot afford to wait.
How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Proceed in Rutherford County?
Murfreesboro car accident lawsuits that go to litigation are handled through the Rutherford County Circuit Court. Once your attorney files the complaint, the defendant has 30 days to respond. From there, the case enters the discovery phase, which is often the most important stretch of the entire litigation process.
During discovery, both sides exchange information that may be relevant to the case. Your legal team can send written questions called interrogatories, request documents from the other party, and schedule depositions where witnesses provide sworn testimony. This phase frequently turns up evidence that was not available during the initial investigation, and that new information can shift the entire direction of the case.
Will My Case Settle or Go All the Way to Trial?
Settlement negotiations do not stop just because a lawsuit has been filed. In fact, many cases settle during discovery or in the weeks leading up to trial once both sides have a clearer picture of the evidence.
If no agreement is reached, the case will proceed to trial. At that point, your attorney presents your case to a jury, and the defendant’s legal team presents theirs. The jury then decides whether the defendant is liable and how much compensation to award. Trials are unpredictable by nature, but they are sometimes the only way to secure the full value of a serious injury claim. An attorney with courtroom experience can make a significant difference in how confidently your case is presented.
Contact Woodard Injury Law for Help With Your Murfreesboro Car Accident Claim
Learning about the timeline of a lawsuit helps you prepare for what lies ahead and make smarter decisions along the way. If you were involved in a Murfreesboro car accident and want to learn where your case stands, Woodard Injury is ready to sit down with you and help you determine your legal rights and options.
Contact us today at (615) 640-3648 to schedule a free consultation. We have nearly two full decades of experience helping car accident victims in the area.