{"id":352994,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:31","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/what-happens-at-trial.html"},"modified":"2024-03-15T14:51:10","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T19:51:10","slug":"what-happens-at-trial","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/what-happens-at-trial.html","title":{"rendered":"What Happens at a Personal Injury Trial?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Happens at a Personal Injury Trial?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lark Lewis, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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In a personal injury trial<\/span>, a judge or jury examines the evidence to decide whether the defendant should be held legally responsible for the injuries and harm alleged by you as the\u00a0plaintiff.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

A trial is the plaintiff\u2019s opportunity to argue their case and obtain a judgment against the defendant. A trial also represents the defendant\u2019s chance to refute your case. The defendant can offer their own\u00a0evidence\u00a0related to the dispute at hand.<\/p>\n

A complete personal injury trial process typically consists of six main phases, following the completion of the pre-trial phase<\/a>. Trial phases include:<\/p>\n