What is the process for filing a personal injury claim in Lebanon, Missouri?

When it comes to filing a personal injury claim in Lebanon, Missouri, there are a few steps you should take to ensure your claim is successful. In Missouri, a personal injury case involves a person who has been injured due to another person’s negligence or recklessness. To receive compensation for your injuries, you must file a personal injury claim with the court in the jurisdiction where the incident occurred. The following steps will help guide you through the process of filing a personal injury claim in Lebanon, Missouri.

Step 1: Gather Evidence

Before filing your personal injury claim, it is important that you collect as much evidence as possible that will support your case. This evidence may include medical records of your injuries, witness statements, and any photos that were taken of the accident scene. It is also important to keep track of any financial losses that resulted from the accident, such as lost wages and medical bills. Additionally, you should document all conversations and interactions with those involved in the incident in order to prove negligence or recklessness on their part.

Step 2: Determine Liability

Once you have gathered all of your evidence, it is time to determine who is liable for your injuries. In Missouri, liability can be determined by either comparative fault or contributory negligence. Comparative fault refers to situations in which both parties are found to be at least partially responsible for the incident while contributory negligence means that one party is solely responsible for the incident. Knowing which type of liability applies in your situation can help you build a stronger case and maximize any financial compensation awarded by the court.

Step 3: Hire an Attorney

The next step in filing your personal injury claim is finding an experienced attorney who can represent you throughout the process. Personal injury cases can be complicated and having an attorney on your side can make all the difference in ensuring that you receive a fair outcome from the court. An experienced attorney will be able to assess your case and provide guidance on how best to proceed with filing your claim. Additionally, they can help negotiate a settlement should one become available prior to trial.

Step 4: File Your Claim

After securing legal representation, it is time to file your personal injury claim with the court in Lebanon, Missouri. This process typically begins with filing paperwork at the courthouse in Lebanon County that details why you are seeking damages and how much compensation you are asking for. After filing these papers with the court clerk, you will receive a hearing date when both parties can present their arguments before a judge or jury. It is important that you have all of your evidence ready for this hearing so that it can be presented accurately and effectively before the judge or jury decides on an outcome for your case.

Step 5: Prepare for Trial

If negotiations fail between both parties and no settlement is reached prior to trial, then it will be necessary for you and your attorney to prepare for trial proceedings. This involves gathering witnesses if necessary, preparing statements from experts in related fields such as medical personnel or accident reconstructionists, and organizing evidence so that it can easily be presented during trial proceedings. Depending on how complex the case is, this process could take weeks or even months before trial proceedings begin.

Step 6: Receive Your Award
Once both parties have presented their evidence at trial proceedings and a ruling has been made by either judge or jury, then it will be time for you to receive any award agreed upon by both parties or decided upon by the court depending on which option was chosen during trial proceedings. If an award is granted by either party through negotiations prior to trial then payment should be received shortly after negotiations end; however if an award is decided upon during trial proceedings then there could be additional delays depending on how long it takes for funds to be transferred into your account from insurance companies or other involved parties.

By following these steps when filing a personal injury claim in Lebanon, Missouri, you can ensure that you get proper compensation for any injuries or losses due to another person’s negligence or recklessness. Remember that having an experienced attorney on your side throughout this process can make all of the difference when it comes time to receive your award from either party via negotiation or from court proceedings following trial proceedings.