How long a Mississippi pedestrian accident lawsuit takes depends on whether the case is resolved through settlement negotiations or if a trial is necessary.
If a Mississippi pedestrian accident lawsuit is settled outside of court, the plaintiff and defendant may come to terms on an agreement months or years after the date of the incident.
Alternatively, if a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Mississippi has to go to trial, the process to resolve the case may take longer. In this situation, a year or multiple years may pass before the case may be resolved. Our experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Jackson can help if you’ve been injured in a collision with a motor vehicle.
How Long Do Settlement Negotiations Take for a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Mississippi?
The plaintiff in a Mississippi pedestrian accident lawsuit could receive and accept a settlement from an at-fault party or their insurance company shortly after they were injured.
However, settlement negotiations could last months or years if there are disputes over liability or other issues that make it tough for the parties involved to come to a resolution.
How Long Do Settlement Negotiations Take for a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Mississippi If Lawyers Are Involved?
Pedestrian accident lawyers are sometimes better equipped than the plaintiffs and defendants themselves to negotiate a settlement agreement within a reasonable amount of time.
Initially, a pedestrian accident attorney can analyze their client’s losses. Once the lawyer has a good idea of the value of their client’s case, they can engage in negotiations with a figure in mind.
Any time a pedestrian accident settlement offer is made, the plaintiff can review the proposal. If they accept, they may close their case without a trial.
How Long Does a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Mississippi Take to Reach Trial?
It could take years before a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Mississippi reaches trial. After the paperwork for the lawsuit is filed, the discovery phase can begin, and this alone could last months or, in some cases, a year or longer.
During the discovery phase, the plaintiff and defendant can share evidence and conduct depositions. The court may set a deadline for this phase. Yet, the deadline may be extended based on the circumstances of the case.
Following discovery, the court may schedule a trial. If the court has a backlog of cases, it may be years before a trial gets underway.
How Long Does It Take to Get Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Mississippi?
It may take a few weeks for the plaintiff in a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Mississippi to receive compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other losses after their case is settled.
Typically, if the defendant is ordered to pay compensation, they will send a check to the plaintiff’s attorney for the settlement amount soon after the case is closed.
If the plaintiff’s attorney accepted their client’s case on contingency, they may deduct their legal fees from the settlement amount, then give the remainder to their client.
Factors That Can Delay the Mississippi Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit Process
Disputes over liability can delay the Mississippi pedestrian accident lawsuit process. This is especially true in cases in which the plaintiff may have been outside of a crosswalk when their accident occurred.
The plaintiff in a Mississippi pedestrian accident lawsuit may choose to wait to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) before they know the full extent of their medical costs and can estimate their case’s value if it were to reach trial.