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I’m excited to assist you and grateful for the trust you’ve placed in our firm. With years of experience handling both sides of personal injury cases, we understand the complexities involved. Each case typically progresses through six distinct stages:
- Intake: Every case begins here. We gather essential information directly from you and your relatives.
- Pre-Suit: We collect supporting documentation from various sources, including police reports, witness statements, insurance details, medical records, bills, photographs, and more. Once we have all necessary information, we submit a demand letter to the at-fault party or their insurance company in an effort to settle the case.
- Settlement: If a settlement is reached, the insurance company issues a check, and you will sign a release of all claims. We hold the check in our escrow account until it clears, after which we disburse the settlement funds.
- Litigation: If the case does not settle during the pre-suit phase, we file a lawsuit (known as a “Complaint”) and enter the litigation process. This phase allows both parties to gather additional evidence through written questions, document requests, depositions, and subpoenas. Litigation can take several months to years and typically concludes with a trial unless a settlement is reached.
- Trial: Trials are relatively rare, as most cases settle beforehand. However, when a trial occurs, it may last from a single day to several weeks, with personal injury trials typically lasting one to four days. During the trial, both parties present their evidence to a jury, which must deliver a unanimous verdict.
- Appeal: Appeals from Circuit Court require a legal basis (beyond mere dissatisfaction with the outcome). Appeals from the General District Court to the Circuit Court are permitted as a matter of right, if properly noted.
For over ten years, we represented insurance companies and their insureds, but now we solely advocate for injured victims. This unique experience allows us to leverage our insights to develop effective strategies that aim for the best possible results for our clients.
If you have any questions about your case, please call me at 804-464-7719 or schedule a phone consultation here
Thank you for choosing Merrick Brock!
John A. Merrick