Just because you file a personal injury claim does not mean that your case will be heard in a courtroom. It’s possible that your personal injury attorney will negotiate a fair and just settlement for you from the liable party.
Negotiating A Settlement
There are a few reasons why personal injury attorneys try to settle cases before going to trial. First, their clients have already been through a traumatic experience after a car accident from which they want to move forward. The sooner they can get their settlement check, the sooner they can put the accident behind them.
Second, the sooner they can get their check, the sooner they can pay their mounting medical debt. Going to trial means they have to wait months to get a court date and may have to wait months or even years before the judge or jury comes to a verdict on their case. When personal injury victims need money to pay their bills, they don’t have time to wait for a trial.
Lastly, anytime you go to trial, there is a risk of losing, no matter how many prior wins your personal injury attorney has had in court. While there may be similarities across cases, no two cases are ever the same, and no attorney can guarantee the outcome. In their professional opinion, it may not be worth the risk to their client, who needs the money to recover expenses related to their injuries.
All of these reasons have the client’s best interest at heart. By contrast, the insurance companies do not have the claimant’s interest at heart. They are for-profit businesses that not only want to save themselves money, but they also don’t want to harm their reputation, which can happen after an accident that has seriously hurt someone.
How often do personal injury claims go to court?
According to one study, 61% of plaintiffs who went to trial ended up getting less than they would have if they had accepted the initial settlement offer. About 80% to 92% of personal injury cases end with a settlement. While there is no way to know if any of those would have been awarded a higher amount if they had gone to trial, it is a fair assumption that many of them got a better deal in their settlement.
Your Attorney Prepares For Trial Anyway
Even if your attorney has a strong reputation for getting their clients the settlement they deserve, there is always a risk that the insurance company will not agree with the facts presented to them. Because of this risk, experienced attorneys always prepare cases as if they are going to trial.
An experienced and successful personal injury attorney leaves no stone unturned to build the strongest case possible. Using your medical documents, photos from the scene of the accident, and other relevant documents, they will establish the facts that prove the other party’s liability for your injuries.
Hiring a personal injury attorney is the best first step in filing a personal injury claim. They work on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay unless they win for you. Call a personal injury attorney today.
