Victims of car accident injuries have two main options when seeking compensation:
Accept a settlement
If the settlement doesn’t suffice, victims may take the at-fault party to court.
Here’s everything you need to know.
A settlement happens when the at-fault party (defendant) agrees to a compensation package to cover the damages incurred by the victim. Settlements typically cover medical bills, lost wages, pain & suffering, and more.
The decision to settle a car accident injury case is significant – and there are many advantages (and disadvantages) to doing so.
Faster resolution
Clarity in compensation
Privacy
Peace of mind
Potential for less compensation
You don’t get your “day in court”
Less recourse after a settlement is reached
You may need to compromise
If a settlement cannot be reached, victims may file a lawsuit against the at-fault party specifying the negligence that caused the accident – and subsequent damages suffered. The courts will decide on a compensation amount. Only around 4% of car accident injury cases go to court.
There are many pros and cons to taking a personal injury case to court.
Potential for higher compensation
Accountability
Set legal precedents
Get the complete legal process
Court cases can take a long time
Court costs are expensive
There are no guarantees of favorable results
Lots of added stress
The decision to settle or take the case to court involves many factors, including:
The settlement offer from the at-fault party (does it cover damages?)
The strength of the case
The evidence collected
Compensation potential
The other party’s liability
A car accident lawyer knows all the nuances of personal injury law to evaluate your case, provide a projected value, and advise on the best way to achieve the goal of earning fair compensation.
Read the full post to learn more about settling a car accident injury case or going to court.