The stages of a personal injury case, explained for clients

Personal injury clients call most when they can't tell whether anything is happening. Explaining the stages once, in plain words, and showing clients which stage they're in, answers most of those calls before they start. Here is how many firms describe the stages. Every case and every state is different, so adjust the names and descriptions to fit your practice.

1. Intake

The firm takes the case, gathers the basics - what happened, insurance details, photos, witnesses - and the client signs the agreement. What the client needs to do: share everything they have and keep track of new medical visits.

2. Investigation and treatment

The client focuses on getting better while the firm collects police reports, medical records and bills. This is often the longest stage, and the one where clients feel nothing is happening. A short note after each new record arrives helps a lot.

3. Demand preparation

When treatment ends or the client's condition is stable, the firm puts together a demand package for the insurance company: the injuries, the costs and what the firm is asking for.

4. Negotiation and settlement

The insurer reviews the demand and responds, often with offers and counter-offers. Clients usually want to know two things here: that the firm is negotiating for them, and that no offer will be accepted without their say.

5. Litigation (if needed)

If the insurer won't agree to a fair settlement, the firm may file a lawsuit. Litigation adds steps - discovery, depositions, mediation - and time. Many cases still settle along the way.

6. Final accounting

After a settlement or verdict, the firm pays outstanding medical bills and liens, takes its fee and sends the client their share, with a written breakdown.

How Gides helps

Gides comes with these six stages ready to use. Each client gets a private page showing their current stage, a progress bar and your latest update, in your firm's name and in English or Spanish - so they can check where things stand instead of calling.

Plans start at $99 a month for up to 50 active cases, with unlimited case managers. New firms: your first month is free with code FREEMONTH.

Questions: support@gidescase.com. Gides Case LLC.