When victims of an accident approach us here at the Segal Law Firm, one of the most common questions they have is, “How long will it take for my case to settle or go to trial.” The answer to this question can vary upon a variety of factors with every state, and here in West Virginia it’s no different.
This being said, the average amount of time for a case to reach a jury trial is 1-2 years because information must be exchanged between lawyers. This period of time is known as “discovery” and might include:
- Medical records
- The amount of your medical bills
- What your injuries are
- How much you suffered from those injuries
- How your doctor feels those injuries will affect your ability to return to work and earn a living.
This sharing of information also includes lawyers on both sides informing each other of the details of their cases. This could include information concerning their opinion of how hurt you really are or who the witnesses might be. In complex cases, this might include expert witnesses, doctors, rehabilitation people and even economists who can accurately predict your loss in wages.
Judges in West Virginia are sensitive to the needs of those who have been injured and want them to have their day in court. If a case is going to settle before trial, generally they don’t settle until the trial date is established and time is drawing near for that trial. The amount of time needed depends on the complexity or simplicity of your case and the injuries you’ve suffered.
If you have questions for Segal Law Firm concerning these issues, you can click here or call 855-344-9100.