Motor vehicle accidents are an everyday occurrence. Many of them are minor and don’t involve any bodily injuries. However, some are severe, resulting in thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars in damages. Suppose you were recently in a car accident that wasn’t your fault and sustained injuries. In that case, you should know that you are entitled to receive compensation for your damages.
There are two ways to obtain such compensation—through a negotiated pre-trial settlement or by going to trial. When you hire a seasoned Orange County car accident lawyer, they will advise you on what is in your best interest and let you call the shots.
Settlement vs. Going to Trial
A very small percentage of car accident cases will ever see the inside of a courtroom in America. The rest are settled between the involved parties. When you hire a car accident attorney, you want someone with trial experience who is also a skilled negotiator. You need an attorney who can work to skillfully negotiate a full and fair settlement but who also has the intentions and ability to take your claim to court if need be.
Settlements are the preferred way to end a personal injury claim because they have several benefits. For instance:
- Cases that settle are less costly and time-consuming for all parties
- Injured parties get compensation sooner
- There is less risk involved, and parties have more control over the conclusion of the case
- Injured parties don’t have to endure an emotional or stressful trial
- Insurance companies can help avoid bad press
- Personal and private information doesn’t get added to public court records
Should You Settle Your Claim?
Whether or not you decide to accept a car accident settlement is a decision you must make. Your lawyer can guide you regarding what a fair settlement for your specific claim is, but they can’t decide for you. The value of your claim depends on your specific damages and their extent, the evidence you have in support of your claim, and the coverage limits of any applicable insurance policies.
Suppose you decide that you aren’t being offered what is fair. In that case, a reputable lawyer will be prepared to take your lawsuit to trial. At trial, a judge or a jury will determine if you deserve to receive compensation for your injuries, and if so, how much.
Hire a Seasoned Car Accident Attorney
If you were recently injured in a car accident, fair compensation for your claim isn’t a luxury. It’s what you deserve and what you need to recover as much as possible from your injuries. No matter the extent of your damages, you are entitled to financial recovery.
When you hire a law firm or an attorney, be sure that they have trial experience and are prepared to take your case into a courtroom if the other party can’t offer you a fair settlement. Even though most cases settle before going to trial, you and your attorney should treat your claim as if it will go to trial.
