If your personal injury case cannot be resolved during mediation, then you may have to go to court. Below, we have included a sample of a court document that we filed in District Court in the state of Maryland demanding a jury trial for our client, the plaintiff, who was injured in a car accident. We have redacted the names of the parties involved for purposes of confidentiality.
Download Demand for Jury Trial document
This Demand For Jury Trial document is provided by the Maryland-based personal injury law firm of Lebowitz and Mzhen.
Here is an overview of the steps that generally take place during a personal injury trial:
1) Jury Selection-Lawyers for the defense and plaintiff interview potential jurors for bias and other factors until a sitting jury has been chosen.
2) Opening Statements-Plaintiff’s and defense’s counsels give opening statements.
3) Presentation of Evidence and Witnesses-Plaintiff’s and defense’s counsels present evidence such as physical evidence from the accident, photographs, and different medical evidence. Witnesses are examined and cross-examined by attorneys from each side.
4) Meeting on Jury Instructions-Lawyers meet with the judge to discuss instructions to be given to the jury.
5) Closing arguments-Plaintiff’s and defense’s attorneys give their closing arguments.
6) Jury deliberates-Jury retires in private to make a decision.
7) Verdict
According to the Bureau of Justice Civil Justice Statistics:
In 49% of jury trial cases-the jury found in favor of the plaintiff and awarded a median total award of $35,000.
In 62% of bench trials (without a jury)-the median total award was $28,000.