Personal Injury Case Process in Pittsburgh

Every personal injury lawsuit is unique, and the attorneys at Berger and Green shape the case process to optimize the outcome for all of their clients’ unique circumstances. Although each unique case follows common patterns, we make sure that you understand the personal injury case process in Pittsburgh and what you can expect.

The most important thing to understand is that when someone else’s negligence is the direct and proximate cause of your injuries, and those injuries leave you with financial losses, the case process gives you a right to recover those losses. For more than 40 years, our personal injury attorneys have managed the case process for our clients to deliver results in view of the facts of each client’s case.

The Start of the Personal Injury Case

When you are injured in a car accident, a trip and fall incident, or any other negligent event, you should first seek prompt medical care and follow all recommendations from your treating physicians. Your health and wellbeing is our top concern.

When your injuries are stabilized, you can then focus on the recovering damages in Pittsburgh through the personal injury case process. You can lay the groundwork for that recovery by:

• Collecting evidence of the accident that caused your injuries, including police accident reports, photographs of the accident scene, contact information from witnesses, medical bills, and pay stubs showing reduced income
• Keeping a daily diary of how pain and suffering from your injuries affects your lifestyle
• Contacting an experienced personal injury attorney to investigate your case.

The attorney you retain can also help you gather, secure, and organize critical evidence before it gets lost or witness memories fade.

Preparing and Filing Your Lawsuit

Under 55 Pa. C.S § 5524, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for your losses and injuries. If your claims are against a municipal entity, you will need to comply with a shorter deadline. When you retain an experienced lawyer, including any member of the legal team at Berger and Green in Pittsburgh, the first part of the personal injury case process will be complete and you will not lose your opportunity to recover the damages you deserve.

Your lawyers may seek to resolve your claims before a lawsuit is filed, with a detailed demand sent to liability insurers that cover the negligent party. If the insurers refuse to settle your claims for a reasonable amount, your lawyers may then file and serve your lawsuit on all potentially negligent parties.

One or more parties may attempt to dismiss your claims with procedural or technical defenses. After those defenses are resolved, your lawsuit will then move into the discovery process where parties exchange detailed documentary proof of their claims, and arguments for and against liability.

Taking Your Claims to Trial

For maximum leverage, a knowledgeable lawyer will always anticipate that the personal injury case process will proceed to a trial in a Court of Common Pleas in Pittsburgh. The trial typically occurs 12 to 24 months after the lawsuit is filed. Your lawyer will advise you about what to expect at the trial of your claims, if and when your case goes to trial.