Broward County Personal Injury Accident Attorney

The ABCs of Personal Injury Lawsuits

The Law Office of Bradley S. Hartman, P.A. | Broward County, Florida
Toll free (866) 497-5249 | E-Mail

Every personal injury case is different. The differences primarily relate to the type of accident, the extent of the client's injuries and the details of insurance coverage.

These are the general stages of a personal injury lawsuit.

1. Retainer Agreement

If you choose me as your lawyer, and if I accept your case, we will sign a retainer agreement and statement of client rights that details each of our rights and responsibilities. The retainer agreement will specify that you will not owe my office anything for attorney's fees or costs unless we recover a settlement or jury award for you.

2. Case Investigation

I investigate every aspect of your case: Who caused the accident? Who has legal liability? What insurance coverage is available? What did witnesses see? Is there physical evidence? How can experts help us document the facts?

More information about personal injury law can be found at the Personal Injury Information Center.

3. Medical Care and Expert Opinions

As necessary, I help my clients access appropriate medical care for their injuries. I work with the medical experts who will evaluate your injuries and prepare expert opinions regarding the cause of the injuries and the medical care you will require.

4. Other Experts

Depending on the type of case, I may need to consult other experts. Accident reconstructionists, product engineers, rehabilitation experts, life care planners, and other professionals help me develop a complete picture of your case — before I begin to negotiate for a settlement.

5. Contact the At-Fault Parties

I do not try to settle my client's case until I am completely familiar with every aspect, including liability, insurance coverage and all current and future medical issues. As soon as possible, however, I proceed as quickly as possible to recover full compensation for my client's injuries and other damages.

6. When Settlement Negotiations Fail

The vast majority of personal injury lawsuits settle without the need for a trial. However, if the responsible parties do not offer an acceptable settlement, a trial is the next step to prove the need for compensation.

From the beginning of every case, I assume the case will go to trial — even if it may not. Because I know my client's case forwards and backwards, a trial is often unnecessary. Sometimes, however, a formal lawsuit must be filed when a defendant has so far refused to settle.

Contact Attorney Bradley S. Hartman

Call toll free (866) 497-5249 or use the online contact form.