If you are thinking about filing a personal injury lawsuit and you have never filed a lawsuit before, there are a few things that you need to know. Personal injury lawsuits are governed by various rules and regulations that you will have to follow. It is helpful to have a basic understanding of some of the rules and regulations you will need to follow for your lawsuit.

#1: Money Isn't Always Required

If you are unsure about filing a lawsuit because you don't have a lot of money, you can still file a lawsuit with an attorney's service. Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis.

That means you will not have to pay any fees or costs during the lawsuit process. Your attorney will be paid a percentage of the payout awarded if your lawsuit is successful. Your settlement will be used to pay your attorney. If your attorney is not able to earn you a settlement, you won't owe anything.

#2: You Have Limited Time

Next, it is essential to understand that you only have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit. The exact amount of time will vary based on the type of case you are filing and the state you are filing the lawsuit in.

Generally, you are given a specific number of years after the injury occurred during which you must file a lawsuit or lose the right to file a lawsuit. If you experienced an event that you think you want to file a lawsuit over, it is important to work quickly.

#3: The Other Party Must Be Served

Once you have filed a lawsuit, you are going to have to notify all the parties involved. There are generally specific rules governing how you must notify the other parties of your lawsuit.

Typically, different restrictions apply to private parties than to government agencies. Your attorney will help make sure that all parties involved are notified within the proper time.

#4: Don't Expect to Go to Trial

Finally, it is essential not to expect a trial. The vast majority of lawsuits are settled via negotiations before a trial occurs. Going to trial is costly, so most parties will work to reach an agreement for compensation before the lawsuit actually goes to trial in front of a judge and jury.

That doesn't mean that the settlement process is quick. It can still take months to work through gathering evidence and going into negotiations before your case is settled.

If you are thinking about filing a lawsuit, contact a personal injury attorney right away. You have a limited amount of time after the event that caused your injury to file this type of lawsuit. Once you start the lawsuit process, you are going to have to notify all parties involved. Remember, it is normal for your lawsuit not to go to trial and for the lawsuit to be settled outside of court. 

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