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Personal Injury FAQ
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Columbia Personal Injury FAQ

Have questions about your personal injury case? Our firm can help!

After sustaining a wrongful injury in Columbia, MO, you may have a number of questions running through your mind. First, you may be wondering who is going to pay for the cost of your medical treatment and/or reimburse you for the pain and suffering that you have endured. Second, you may want to know just how much your case will be worth. For this reason, the Columbia personal injury attorney at Sumner Law Group, LLC has decided to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this area of the law. If you have more specific inquiries about your case, however, you are always welcome to contact the firm directly for a free initial consultation.

What factors will determine the worth of my personal injury claim? 
Although there is no way to definitively determine the value of a personal injury case until a verdict or settlement has been obtained, there are ways in which you gain a general understanding of its worth by examining four key factors—including the overall cost of past and future medical bills, the amount of income that you have forfeited during your recovery, the extent of your diminished earning capacity and the non-economic losses that you have endured (i.e. pain and suffering, loss of consortium, mental anguish or disfigurement).

How long do I have to file a civil lawsuit in Columbia, MO? 
In Missouri, the statute of limitations places an expiration date on all personal injury claims. This means that you have a limited amount of time to bring suit against another party. For cases of medical malpractice, you would have two years from the date of injury. For all other personal injury claims involving negligent conduct, you would have five years from the date of injury. If you were injured by intentional misconduct, however, the statute of limitations would be reduced to two years. Regardless of the circumstances that you may be facing, it is recommended that you act quickly.

Will I need to take my personal injury case to trial? 
The short answer to this is, probably not. Since nearly 95% of all legitimate personal injury claims are settled before the case goes to trial, it is highly unlikely that you will ever see the inside of a courtroom. This is not to say that this cannot or will not happen, however, as you should always be prepared to take your case to trial if the circumstances so require. In some cases, the plaintiff may not be satisfied with the level of compensation that has been offered during negotiations. At that point, they can either choose to settle or present their case before a jury.

If my insurance company has offered me a settlement, should I take it? 
Although this might be the most practical course of action for your particular case, it is highly recommended that you hold off until you have had the chance to consult with an experienced lawyer. In some cases, our firm will advise a client to accept the settlement if we believe that the insurance company has made a fair offer. In others, we will recommend that they enter into negotiations or move forward with a trial. At the end of the day, it will ultimately depend on the unique circumstances of the case. For this reason, it is always a good idea to involve an attorney.

How long does it typically take to resolve a personal injury case? 
Unfortunately, there is no way to tell just how long it will take to resolve a personal injury claim. Depending on the nature of the accident, the severity of the victim's injuries and the extent of the economic and non-economic damages that were suffered, it could take weeks, months or even years to settle a case. The good news is, you may be able to gain a better understanding of just how long your specific case will take when you enlist the help of a Columbia personal injury attorney. In doing so, they will have the opportunity to review the unique circumstances involved in your claim.

How do I know if I have legitimate grounds to file a civil lawsuit? 
Under the law, you would be entitled to compensation if you have been injured by another person's negligent actions. Although this may sound simple enough, there are several important factors that you must take into consideration. First, you must determine whether or not the responsible party owed you a "duty of care." Second, you must be able to prove that you had suffered damages as a result of their negligence—whether it be physical injury or financial loss. Finally, you must have sufficient evidence to support your claim. All of these factors can be carefully examined when you enlist the help of a legal professional.

Schedule a One-on-One Meeting with Our Columbia Injury Lawyer

If you still have questions about your case or you are interested in enlisting the help of our firm, we encourage you to call today at (866) 734-7829 for a free initial consultation. 

In doing so, you will have the opportunity to discuss your case with a legal professional who is well-versed in all aspects of Missouri personal injury law. You can also contact our Columbia injury attorney online by submitting a free evaluation form with some basic information about your case.

Why Choose The Sumner Law Group LLC?

  • Creative Strategies, Sound Legal Knowledge & Compassionate Client Relations
  • Practicing Only Personal Injury Law
  • Millions of Dollars Recovered in Compensation on Behalf of Injured Victims
  • Former Defense Counsel for Insurance Companies