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What Happens if My Personal Injury Case Goes to Court?

Posted onApril 24, 2019

If you have been injured in an accident such as a car accident in the Tulsa area that left you injured and it was the fault of another party, you may want to file a personal injury claim. Doing so will give you the opportunity to potentially collect compensation for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages and pain and suffering. However, although most personal injury claims stemming from accidents are settled by insurance companies, others end up going to trial. It’s important to know what to expect in the event that happens with your case.

  • Jury Selection
  • In many personal injury cases, a jury of 12 or fewer people is selected to hear about the facts of the case. Members of a jury are chosen during the initial stage of a trial. Potential jurors are selected and asked various questions so the judge can learn more about them and where they stand in terms of this type of case. They are then able to determine if those individuals would be good candidates to serve on the jury or if they may have certain biases that might prevent impartiality.

  • Opening Statements
  • After the jury is selected, both the prosecution and the defense make their opening statements. Generally, the plaintiff or supposed victim’s lawyer starts because they have the burden of proof in the case.

  • Presentation of Evidence
  • After the opening statements, the next step is the injury attorney (chosen by the plaintiff) presenting the plaintiff’s case. The attorney calls witnesses who can testify to back up the evidence that is presented. Some of these are actual witnesses to the accident itself, but their doctor may also be present as a witness to testify about the injuries the plaintiff has suffered, any ongoing medical treatment they may require and their prognosis for a full recovery.

    After the plaintiff’s attorney has presented any relevant evidence, the defense has its opportunity to present their own. The same formula applies, with witnesses being called to testify but the ones who support the defendant’s side.

    Both parties also get the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses. This means that the prosecutor gets to ask the defense’s witnesses their own questions and vice-versa.

  • Closing Arguments
  • After each side has presented their evidence, they give closing arguments. This gives both the prosecution and defense the chance to try and persuade the jury to find in their favor based on the evidence.

  • Jury Deliberation and Subsequent Verdict
  • After the closing arguments, the jury deliberates in a separate room so that they can come to a conclusion or verdict. The majority of cases of this nature see the jury reaching a verdict in only a few hours, but it can take several days.

    After a verdict is reached, the jury informs the judge. The jury is then returned to the courtroom and the verdict is announced to both parties.

    If you have suffered a personal injury and want to initiate a personal injury claim, contact Wandres Law, PC at your earliest convenience. You will have the chance to discuss the details of your case with an experienced Tulsa Personal Injury Attorney, and if you decide to choose Patrick Wandres as your attorney, he will work with you to create a legal plan of action designed to get the best possible outcome in your case.

    To read more about our Tulsa Personal Injury Lawyer, please visit our site.

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