If your personal injury lawsuit is going to trial in Alaska, it would help to know the basics. Although the majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court, some cases go to trial.
Trials, because of issues of fact, issues of law, issues of quantum, or even denial of liability, can put a stop to matters that negotiation cannot.
A lot occurs before the trial even starts. You go through the phase of pre-trial, which involves discovery, depositions, and possibly several settlement conferences.
After these, it is the trial phase where you argue your case. The trial process starts with the selection of the jury. In Alaska, you and your attorney, as well as the accused and the defense attorney, make decisions about a fair and impartial jury. Your lawyer can examine potential jurors to screen out bias.
Anchorage law firms appreciate the importance of this step, and they also know how to select those jurors who will handle your case fairly.
Once the jury is selected, the trial officially opens with the opening statements. This is where each side states their case before the jurors, who will make a verdict. This is the chance for your attorney to tell the jury how the case will be presented and which evidence and witnesses will be presented.
The lawyer will build a story that will match your injury claims, helping the jury see the path to justice. The defense will also do the same as they prepare for their last statement and will try to undermine your argument from the very beginning. Note that opening statements are not the proof but the plan of what is going to be proved.
The most important stage of the trial is the examination of the evidence. The first step that your lawyer will take is to give their statement on your side of the story.
This will entail producing witnesses, which will be doctors who attended to the injuries, engineers who will explain how the incident happened, and any friends or relatives who will tell how the injury has changed your life.
Other real evidence that will be tendered in the court include medical bills and police reports.
After your side has presented its case, the defense also comes in. They may bring their experts to dismiss your allegations, argue over the severity of your injuries, or prove your share of the blame.
In cross-examination, both parties follow their witnesses to highlight any inconsistencies and flaws during their examination. This is usually the most exciting part of the trial, as lawyers try to trip each other up or challenge each other’s evidence.
When the evidence is given, and the trial is underway, the jury hears attentively, but they do not start working until the arguments are closed. This is where your lawyer just sums up, reminds the jury of the facts and the arguments, and asks for the verdict in your favor.
The defense does the same, attempting to convince the jury of the contrary. After closing arguments, the jury is sent to decide.
The jury will decide whether you are to be paid back and, if so, how much. In the event that the decision is negative, you might be allowed to petition for a rehearing. Finding a competent Anchorage law firm to represent you in trial should be a priority.
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