One of the most common questions we get at Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas is how often a personal injury case goes to court. The answer is: Rarely. In fact, some statistics show that only about 5% of personal injury lawsuits go to court – the others will either be settled before trial or be dropped. This is why you need a personal injury attorney who is not only good at trial but who is an expert negotiator.
Settling is Often Advantageous to the Insurance Company
It is common for an insurance company to want to settle because the insurance company of the at-fault party does not want to pay to go to trial. Not only will there be court fees and legal fees, but jurors can be unpredictable. They could end up paying out much more than they could reasonably settle for. As a result, some insurance companies attempt to settle cases as quickly as possible.
Settling is Often Advantageous to the Plaintiff
Likewise, it is often a better option for the plaintiff to accept a settlement rather than going to court. Once again, juries and judges can be unpredictable. When a personal injury attorney can aggressively negotiate for a reasonable settlement it may worth it to take it. Will you get more if you go to trial? Maybe – but settling beforehand helps you avoid unexpected results and allows you to control the risk.
Settling Can Mean Getting Paid More Quickly
One of the reasons that our clients often choose to settle is because it is a much faster process (in most cases) compared to going to court. You likely have expenses building up. You may not be working, you may not be able to afford necessary medical care, and you may be desperate for payment as soon as possible. If this is the case, then you may be tempted to settle sooner rather than later.
Even in this situation, we strongly recommend that you at least get the opinion of a personal injury attorney before moving forward. The insurance company can do a convincing job of making people feel they are on their side. They are not – they are on the side of making a profit and then means paying out as little as possible. Your attorney knows how to negotiate for the best possible outcome.
There is No Risk So Call Today
If you have suffered an injury and believe that someone else was at fault then it may be worth filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit. But how do you know? That is easy: Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707. Your initial consultation is free. If we decide to take your case then we will do so on a contingency basis that assures you do not owe us anything until we win your case. If we do not win it then we do not get paid. Call now and let us find out what your options are.
