What happens when you file a personal injury lawsuit?

When you file a personal injury lawsuit in Colorado, your attorney prepares and files a complaint with the court outlining your claims against the defendant. The defendant is served with the lawsuit and has 21 days to respond. The case then enters the discovery phase, where both sides exchange documents, answer written questions (interrogatories), and conduct depositions. Pre-trial motions may be filed, and many Colorado courts require mediation before trial. If the case doesn't settle, it proceeds to trial. Even after filing suit, most cases settle before reaching a jury, but having a trial-ready attorney is what makes fair settlements possible. For severe injury cases, litigation is often necessary to achieve fair compensation. Insurance companies facing millions in exposure rarely pay full value without being forced to defend their position in court.