If you have been injured in an accident like a car accident or a workplace injury accident, you may want to contact a Texas personal injury attorney to file a claim against the individual who is at fault. Filing a legal claim will give you the opportunity to get compensated for property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, medical treatment, and various other damages that you may be legally entitled to.
Although most personal injury lawsuits are settled by insurance companies, a few cases do end up going to trial. It is crucial for you to know what to expect should this happen with your claim.
The Diverse Components of a Personal Injury Claim
When cases go to court, they go through various steps, from start to finish. A jury will need to be selected in many personal injury cases. A jury can be composed of 12 or fewer individuals who are selected and questioned by the judge. The judge will ask numerous questions of the selected individuals to see their personal views on various case types and to learn more about them personally. Questioning a juror helps a judge determine if a person is a good candidate or if they have certain biases.
After a jury is selected, the case will move to trial. Trials for personal injury claims typically start with opening statements. The prosecution and the defense will each be allotted time to make an opening statement in support of their legal claim. Typically, a Texas personal injury attorney supporting the victim will give their opening statement first because they have the burden of proof.
The Burden of Proof
To file a successful claim against an at-fault party, the claimant must clearly demonstrate the burden of proof. After opening statements are heard, the next step is to present the evidence. Personal injury attorneys in Texas will generally call witnesses to testify to back up the evidence presented during the trial. Some witnesses can be individuals who personally witnessed an incident occur, doctors, financial experts, or even experts who re-create the scene of the incident.
After the claimant’s attorney presents all the relevant evidence, the defense is given an opportunity to present evidence of their own. Defense attorneys can call witnesses and present documentation to support their argument against the claimant. After both sides present their evidence, each side will be given the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses.
After witnesses are cross-examined, both sides will begin their closing arguments. The defense and plaintiff are both given one final chance to try and persuade the jury to get a favorable outcome. The jury will then deliberate in a separate room and come to their own conclusion or verdict. Personal injury cases, like car accidents, are usually deliberated rather quickly. In some cases, it can take several days. Once a verdict is reached, the jury informs the judge, and then they present the verdict to both parties.
Our Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You
If you were injured in an accident, it is imperative to contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Houston, Texas to assist you with your claim. The attorneys at The Valenzuela Law Firm, have extensive experience helping victims achieve the highest and best results for their claims.
