subject: What to Expect in a Personal Injury Trial [print this page] What to Expect in a Personal Injury Trial
Copyright (c) 2010 Benjamin GlassThe personal injury trial process is not too different from the dramatizations we see on TV and in the movies. Minus the shouting and desk-pounding antics that make that kind of media "entertainment" for some, the actual proceedings are pretty close to what the typical American has become familiar with in the world of court procedure.Stage 1 of Your Personal Injury Trial - Jury SelectionThe first stage of a personal injury trial is the jury selection where the judge and both attorneys have the right to dismiss potential jurors based on a number of factors. Once they've whittled the pool down to the proper number (usually 7) these will be the jurors responsible for deciding the final personal injury compensation. Now that all the players are in place, the actual personal injury trial may commence.Stage 2 of Your Personal Injury Trial - Opening StatementsThe next stage on your quest for personal injury compensation is the opening statements. Each side of the case is given the opportunity to state their claims in regards to the accident and injury sustained by the plaintiff. The defendant's attorney will counter these claims with their own statements against the plaintiff's charges.Stage 3 of Your Personal Injury Trial - Witness TestimonyFollowing these opening statements in your PI trial, each side will be allowed a period of witness testimony and cross-examination. This is often referred to as the "case-in-chief" stage where both sides have the opportunity to present their evidence in support of their arguments. Witnesses may be the plaintiff and defendant themselves, persons who were at the scene when the accident took place, and expert witnesses to support evidence.Stage 4 of Your Personal Injury Trial - Closing ArgumentsOnce each side has presented their evidence the closing arguments are given to "sum up" the information each side has presented to the court. This gives the jury a refresher before they head into the final stage before a decision can be reached.Stage 5 of Your Personal Injury Trial - Jury DeliberationThe jury, having been properly informed of each side's claims, arguments, evidence, and desires for trial outcome, are now instructed by the judge as to which legal standards they are to use to decide the final verdict. Jury deliberation may take only a few minutes, or in some complex cases several weeks before a decision is made.Stage 6 of Your Personal Injury Trial - Final VerdictWhen the jury in your injury trial has come to a decision they report their verdict to the judge. After reading the verdict aloud in court, the personal injury compensation is awarded and you will complete the necessary documentation to finalize the process.
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