If you are involved in a personal injury case, you will want to know what stages you will be going through. This will ensure that you are better understanding of the process so that you can hopefully see an outcome that you feel is fair. Here are the three stages that many do not understand or know how to go through properly for the best outcome:

1. The Settlement: One of the first things that is going to be determined in a personal injury case is the settlement. In some cases, the two parties will reach a settlement on their own, which is known as an informal settlement. In this situation, the party will not go to trial, but instead agree to give up on taking legal action in exchange for payment. If the party does not make an informal agreement, then a formal agreement may take place during the litigation process. This is when the two parties and their lawyers sit down to discuss different agreement options. Most of the time, an agreement is arranged during this part of the process. However, if an agreement cannot be made, then the case will continue onto trial. 

2. The Trial: If the injury case reaches the point of trial, then this is when both the defendant and the plaintiff have their opportunity to argue their case. The judge will examine the evidence to decide whether or not the defendant is responsible for the injuries. If the judge determines that the defendant is responsible, then the judge will determine to what extent. This will determine how much is owed to the plaintiff. 

3. Collecting the Money: Any personal injury case doesn't just end after the trial process. If the plaintiff is found to be innocent to the injuries they have sustained, then there may be some work involved in getting the money. The defendant may refuse to follow the court order, or just not have enough money to pay off their debt owed. In this case, it becomes a difficult process for the plaintiff to obtain their collection. The plaintiff will need a lawyer's help to determine what legal action needs to be taken in order to collect the money. In most cases, the plaintiff will need to schedule a hearing with the court to prove the defendant is not paying so that he or she can garish the defendant's wages or bank account. 

By knowing that a personal injury case takes more than just reaching an agreement between the two parties, you want to be sure that you understand the different stages that are involved. This will ensure that you take the right steps to making the case easier on yourself. If you need a lawyer for your case, contact Stephens Holman Devraj personal injury.