What to Do If You’ve Been Sued After an Auto Accident
If you’ve been served with a lawsuit after a car accident, the most important thing you can do is hire a qualified civil trial lawyer. A civil trial attorney specializes in defending people who have been sued and knows how to navigate the legal system to protect your rights and interests.
What Does a Civil Trial Lawyer Do?
A civil trial lawyer is an attorney who handles disputes that are resolved in civil court, such as personal injury, property damage, and negligence claims. In an auto accident case, a civil trial attorney investigates the facts, identifies defenses, handles court filings, manages discovery, negotiates settlements, and presents your case at trial if needed.
How a Civil Lawsuit Begins
A civil lawsuit starts when a plaintiff files a complaint in court. This legal document outlines their version of the events and the compensation they are seeking.
Once the complaint is filed, you’ll be served through service of process—a formal delivery of the lawsuit documents. Once served, you typically have only 20 days to respond. If you fail to answer the complaint on time, the court may enter a default judgment against you.
This is a critical deadline. You should contact a civil trial lawyer immediately after receiving the lawsuit paperwork.
What Is Discovery in a Civil Case?
After the initial pleadings, the case enters the discovery phase, where both parties gather evidence. Your civil trial attorney will use several tools during discovery, including:
- Interrogatories – Written questions you must answer under oath.
- Request to Produce – Demands for documents such as accident reports, photos, or insurance records.
- Depositions – Sworn oral testimony given by parties and witnesses.
- Subpoenas – Legal demands for third parties to provide documents or appear for depositions.
Discovery is critical for building your defense, and your civil trial lawyer will handle it all on your behalf.
Mediation and Settlement
Most civil lawsuits don’t go to trial. Instead, they resolve during mediation, a court-ordered negotiation session led by a neutral third party. A good civil trial attorney can often settle your case at mediation—saving you time, stress, and the expense of trial.
What Happens If the Case Goes to Trial?
If the case doesn’t settle, it goes to trial—usually in front of a jury. Your civil trial lawyer will present your defense, cross-examine witnesses, introduce evidence, and argue your case. Civil trials can take days or weeks, depending on complexity.
How Long Does a Civil Case Take?
Most civil lawsuits take between 1 to 3 years to resolve from start to finish. The timeline depends on how complex the case is, how crowded the court’s docket is, and whether the case settles early or proceeds to trial.
Speak to a Civil Trial Lawyer Today
If you’ve been sued after a car accident, time is of the essence. An experienced civil trial lawyer can help you respond to the lawsuit, defend your legal rights, and work toward the best outcome—whether through settlement or trial.
Contact our law firm today to speak with a civil trial attorney who will stand up for you in court.
civil trial lawyer
auto accident lawsuit
civil lawsuit
contact our law firm today
civil trial attorney
