Will My Case Go to Court or Can It Be Settled Out of Court?

Your car accident claim may be settled out of court. In fact, the vast majority of car accident claims don’t end up in a trial but result in settlements instead. Trials are costly and time-consuming, so most people generally prefer settlements when possible. You have more control over the outcome of the settlement process than a civil trial, and you don’t have to go through the stress and effort that comes with going to court.

In some cases, a civil trial might be the better option. This is mostly the case when the at-fault party denies liability or the insurance company refuses to respond to reasonable demands. During a trial, both sides will present evidence and arguments to a judge and jury, who then decide how much compensation the victim receives, if any.

Trials are riskier than settlements, but trial verdicts can involve higher amounts of compensation. An attorney might recommend a trial if other options have failed or you have a particularly strong chance of winning your case.