Each case is unique.
In the State of Illinois, the statute of limitations is two years after the date of the injury or accident.
That means you have two years to file a lawsuit.
Be sure not to mitigate your injuries.
It’s necessary that you find a personal injury attorney quickly so you don’t miss the deadline.
Once your lawyer has looked over the details and accepted your case, they’ll help you file a civil lawsuit.
Once the lawsuit is filed, a period of litigation discovery will begin.
This is when information, evidence, and depositions of all parties and potential witnesses are exchanged.
It’s also when your lawyer will assess damages, which may be compensatory or punitive.

After the discovery and before the trial, the parties involved will likely try and resolve the case.
Sometimes, this finishes in as little as six months.
The evidence of liability in the case will largely determine how fast this happens and if there’s potential for a settlement.
If this settlement is agreed upon, the liens and attorney costs are paid.
After that, you may receive either a lump-sum payment or a structured settlement paid within an agreed-upon timeframe.
If the parties involved cannot agree on a settlement, the case may go to trial.