Getting into a car accident causes stress and much inconvenience. Most car accident cases are settled by a mutual agreement between the parties involved, but some cases will go to trial.
Car accidents that cause significant injuries tend to go to trial. If you are considering bringing a car accident case to court, it is in your best interest that you contact an experienced Baltimore car accident lawyer to be on your side. An attorney can gather evidence to build the case and, hopefully, win.
The Pros of Settling
Settlements tend to be much quicker than trials. Typically, cases will settle anywhere between six to twelve months, whereas bringing a case to trial can take years.
When negotiating a settlement, you have the power to accept or decline any offer the other driver’s insurance company gives you. You can also ask for a larger sum if you are not satisfied with the settlement that is offered.
The Cons of Settling
Once you accept an offer, there is no going back. Insurance companies tend to throw out lowball offers in the hope that you will take them out of desperation.
If your injuries get worse, you cannot go back to the insurance company and ask for more money.
There may be a chance that taking the car accident case to court will bring you more financial comfort and compensation. Consult with an experienced Maryland car accident attorney to discuss what is the best course of action to receive the compensation you deserve.
Sometimes, if you settle too early, the injuries sustained in the car accident may get worse over time. If injuries continue to worsen after settlement, you will not be able to receive any more compensation from the insurance company.
What Most People Don’t Know About Taking Car Accident Cases to Trial
What the majority of those who take their car accident case to trial don’t know is that the jury is an unknown factor in determining the amount of compensation that one will receive. The jury will listen and collect as much information as they can during the trial to make a final decision.
Not all juries are the same, and sometimes, they are very unpredictable. This can cause the trial to no longer be in your favor.
With this being said, the jury may award you a high settlement or can be ultimately against you.
It is for this reason that attorneys try to ensure that a car accident case does not have to go to trial. Attorneys pick the cases to go to trial very carefully. If you pressure your attorney to take the case to trial when it is unnecessary, you may lose a lot of money.
The Pros of Going to Trial
When a case is brought to trial, there is a possibility that you may receive a lot more money than expected. If the judge is for your case, you will most likely receive a larger sum of compensation than the original settlement.
Insurance companies will do everything in their power to ensure that you receive the smallest sum possible. It is for this reason that many people push their attorneys to bring the case to trial.
The Cons of Taking a Case to Trial
Bringing a case to trial is very time-consuming. It takes a lot of time to resolve the issue being discussed in the courtroom. Those who have also experienced severe pain or distress from the accident may feel uncomfortable talking about the incident.
There is always a chance that the trial will not go in your favor, and therefore, you may lose money. Sometimes, people are offered even less than the original settlement when the trial does not go their way.
Settlement During the Trial
In some cases, a settlement may be reached during trial. If this occurs, the settlement may increase as the trial continues, but that is not always the case.
If you are making the decision whether to pursue a car accident claim, contact our Ocean City car accident attorneys today!
Is it in your best interest to settle or go to trial? The decision is up to you, but an attorney can certainly help with the process!
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident that has physically, emotionally, and financially devastated your life, call us today! Contact Rice, Murtha, and Psoras if you have any questions or need assistance on your case.