If you have filed a personal injury claim after sustaining injuries in an accident caused by another person or entity, your personal injury attorney Wyoming will usually work with an insurer to reach a reasonable settlement amount. This can happen before you file a lawsuit. In general, insurance providers want to resolve cases before they end up in litigation.
If settlement negotiations do not succeed and both parties cannot reach a settlement, the case may need to go to trial where a jury or judge will make decisions. If you are a victim of a negligent party, you need a skilled attorney with experience handling cases like yours. Also, they should be familiar with court proceedings. Keep reading to know what happens when your case goes to court:
Jury Selection
In most states, a jury must be chosen before the trial starts, alongside a ruling judge. Attorneys for each party will interview potential members of a jury until they can agree on an impartial set.
Opening Statements
This is when every side presents their argument as to the reason that they think they are right. The insurer might claim you are not entitled to compensation since you share the blame for causing the accident. Then, your lawyer may argue that such allegations are baseless. Your attorney will explain that there is evidence to support your claim. Opening statements are meant to outline how every party will present their case.
Case Presentation
After the opening statement, your lawyer will present your case. They share proof of why you are not to blame for the accident. They make sure you have a solid and truthful claim, so you can have a great chance to win. As your attorney presents your case, it can help to bring witness statements and expert testimony.
Closing Arguments and Deliberation
Once both sides have presented their case, they can then present closing arguments, which focus on analyzing the presented evidence. These arguments are the parties’ last chance to try to influence the decision of the jury.
After the closing arguments, the jury will then deliberate in a private room. These are confidential deliberations that can be completed for as long as necessary. Eventually, a verdict should be made by the jury. This verdict will be shared with the judge. The judge will have the jury read the verdict in the courtroom.