Injury Claims Timeline

Types of personal injury cases 

There are multiple types of personal injury cases. A personal injury lawyer may work on several case types, including the following:

• Auto accident claims
• Dog bite cases
• Medical malpractice lawsuits
• Premises liability claims
• Product defect liability lawsuits
• Slip and fall cases
• Spinal cord injury (SCI) lawsuits
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) claims
• Truck accident claims
• Workers’ compensation cases

Sometimes, cases could fall within more than one category. Suppose you slipped on a wet floor and hit your head. You suffered a TBI and have permanent brain damage. You could hire a catastrophic injury lawyer or a slip and fall lawyer to handle your case.

Reasons to file a personal injury claim

You should consider filing a claim after suffering a personal injury for several reasons:

Costs

The costs from your injury could include the following:

• Lost wages
• Medical bills 
• Personal care costs
• Transportation costs

The out-of-pocket costs or financial losses will depend on the nature of the injury and its severity. Injury victims can also seek compensation for the way their injury impacts their personal lives. This compensation covers pain and suffering, trauma, and loss of quality of life.

Prevention 

More than 2.8 million people suffered injuries in car accidents in 2020. Anyone injured in a car accident may have grounds to file a car accident claim. 

For example, an injury victim learns that their accident occurred in an intersection with an unusually high number of collisions. The municipality is aware that there’s limited visibility. The roads also have a higher speed limit than comparable roads.

Holding the municipality accountable in court may be the only way to ensure they make changes to prevent further accidents. Filing a lawsuit and receiving financial compensation can prompt the municipality to lower the speed limit and improve visibility, which could save lives.

Justice 

There are times when people are negligent or act recklessly. Suppose you’re in a car accident that results in a loved one’s wrongful death. The at-fault driver was driving under the influence and had prior convictions for driving while intoxicated. Your car accident lawyer may seek punitive damages. Punitive damages punish the defendant for their actions.

Deadline for filing a claim 

Injury victims must take legal action before the statute of limitations expires. The time limit for filing accident cases in Nevada varies, depending on the type of accident. Most personal injury cases have a statute of limitations of two years, including the following case types:

• Car accidents
• Premises liability
• Slip and fall cases

Other case types have shorter or longer time limits for filing. Workers’ compensation claims must be filed within 90 days, while claimants have three years to pursue a medical malpractice suit in Nevada.

Timeline for settled claims 

The injury claim timeline in Nevada begins the moment the accident occurred because this is when the time limit for the statute of limitations starts. Victims suffer injuries and receive medical treatment.

Injury victims can contact personal injury attorneys from the accident scene or wait until after they receive medical treatment. Call 702.382.0000 to talk to an injury attorney from the scene to discuss your rights and receive prompt legal counsel. Your attorney will explain your legal rights, ensuring you take appropriate steps to strengthen your case.

Your personal injury attorney can file insurance claims and begin negotiations with the at-fault party. Your attorney will also investigate the case, gather physical evidence, and determine whether you have grounds to file a claim against additional parties. 

Sometimes, your attorney can negotiate a reasonable settlement offer from the at-fault party, which means you won’t have to go to trial. Cases with negotiated settlements could be resolved within a few months.

Timeline for claims that go to court

The timeline of a personal injury case that goes to trial is longer than the timeline for cases settled out of court. The at-fault party may disagree with the amount claimed and refuse to pay a settlement. The at-fault party may also deny responsibility, forcing you to take your case to court.

Cases that go to court can take years to resolve. The exact timeline varies based on the complexities of the case and the number of defendants. You, the defendant(s), and the witnesses may have to give depositions before the trial, extending the time required to resolve your case.

Sometimes, cases continue after the trial. Suppose you won your case, and the jury awarded you a substantial sum. The defendant(s) may appeal in an attempt to prevent payment.

How injury lawyers can help with a personal injury claim  

At Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, our legal team will explain your options and ensure you understand your rights. We can research the case, prepare the legal paperwork, and help you calculate how much compensation to seek. We offer free consultations and don’t charge any legal fees until we win your case, ensuring the costs won’t prevent you from getting the justice you deserve.

Sources:

Emergency Department Visits. (2023). 

Number of road traffic-related injuries and fatalities in the U.S. from 1990 to 2020. (2023).