# What happens in a personal injury lawsuit? Canonical: https://californiapersonalinjurylaws.com/guides/civil-lawsuit-steps/ Reviewed by Andrew (Andy) R. Gillin; publisher reported approval on 2026-11-04. Original review date was not supplied. ## Short answer A lawsuit starts with court papers and notice to the other side. The parties then share evidence. They may reach a deal. Some cases go to trial. ## Hypothetical example Both sides share records. Lawyers ask witnesses questions before a meeting to discuss a settlement. ## How the rule works The person who sues is the plaintiff. The person or business sued is the defendant. Each side has a chance to present proof and dispute the other side’s claims. ## What can change the answer The court’s schedule and disputes about the facts may change the steps. More parties can add time too. ## A useful next step Ask what the next step means. Find out what you need to give the lawyer and which dates you must attend. ## Court decisions behind this answer ### Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, pp. 843, 850–851. The court explained when a judge can rule without a trial. The key is whether a real dispute over an important fact needs a trial. Limit: This was not an injury case. It does not set a timetable or promise a trial in every lawsuit. Source: https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/4th/25/826.html ## Sources - [California Courts — Civil lawsuits](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/civil-lawsuit) - [Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826](https://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/4th/25/826.html) - [Code of Civil Procedure § 437c — Summary judgment](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CCP§ionNum=437c.) General information, not legal advice.