Will My Personal Injury Claim Go to Trial?

Last updated 7 months ago

Most personal injury cases do not go to trial—the majority of cases is settled out of court and never presented in front of a judge. However, this process can be lengthy, as parties can choose to settle for an agreeable sum up until the jury reaches a verdict. Here is a look at the personal injury settlement process:

Attempts to Reach a Settlement

Once you provide your attorney with the relevant information about your accident, he or she will file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party and involved insurance companies. Once notified of your case, the other party’s lawyers will begin discussing the case with your attorney. It is less expensive for both sides to reach a settlement as soon as possible. As a result, the two sides often will negotiate for a compensation amount in exchange for dropping the lawsuit. An experienced lawyer will explain the settlement amount that you can expect.

Taking Your Case Before a Jury Trial

Once your lawyer has exhausted all of the available options to help you settle the case out of court, the initial complaint will be brought in front of a judge. Your lawyer will appear in court for a number of preliminary motions and evidentiary agreements, and then he or she will begin jury selection. Once the jury is picked, your case will be presented in a state or federal court. Unlike negotiations up until this point, a jury’s verdict is both binding and final. If the court does not find in your favor, your attorney may recommend an appeal.

The Law Office of D. Hardison Wood is a North Carolina firm with extensive experience in personal injury claims. We know how negotiate with the other side to reach a favorable settlement in your case, and we are not afraid to take a claim to trial. Call our office at (919) 238-4668 to discuss your case with a member of our team today.

Disclaimer:

The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney.