If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you’re probably wondering whether your case will have to go to trial. While there is a small possibility of this occurring, car accident cases usually do not go to trial. The vast majority are resolved outside of court before a lawsuit is filed, and even if there is a lawsuit, most cases are settled before a trial becomes necessary.
Taking a car accident case to trial is typically a last resort. Here’s why:
- Juries can be unpredictable. Sometimes juries will act the way you think they might, but they can also be swayed by things you never would expect. Thus, bringing a car accident case to trial is a big risk, especially when the plaintiff is in desperate need of compensation.
- Taking a case to trial drives up costs. Money is a big reason why most car accident cases don’t go to trial. Court fees, attorney fees, and other legal fees can quickly add up. By settling outside of court, both parties have more control over the outcome of the case, eliminating the all-or-nothing risk that comes with putting a case before a jury.
- Most attorneys and insurers know what a case is worth. Someone with experience will know how much certain injuries are worth so that a reasonable settlement can be reached.
However, it is also true that not all car accident cases can be settled. This may be the case when neither party can agree on who was to blame for the accident, or how much compensation should be paid for a plaintiff’s injuries. If a claims adjuster is unable or unwilling to get approval on a large enough payout, a settlement will not be reached. Or, if the plaintiff’s attorney feels that the settlement is grossly inadequate, he or she may encourage their client not to accept it.
All car accident cases are different, which is why it is important to talk to your attorney about which legal option is best for you. At Stern Law Group, we’ve helped over 40,000 accident victims obtain the money they deserve after an injury, successfully recovering more than $800 million in compensation. You can be confident that our firm is prepared to do whatever it takes to maximize your compensation.
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