Should I Settle My Car Accident Claim?
By Christopher Hoffmann
Jun. 25, 2018 5:51p
Statistics indicate that only about 5% of all car accidents that involve injury make it in front of a courtroom, which might make it sound like settling is the way to go just because it is status quo.
The truth is that for most car accidents, settling is not settling for the injured individual. If you hire an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney and you receive a settlement, you can have peace of mind knowing that you got all that you deserve.
A fair settlement offers the victim of a car accident many advantages. Before you think that you should escalate your case to trial, or you insist that your lawyer does, think about all aspects of a car accident lawsuit. Undoubtedly, there are times when a case should be taken to trial. However, at other times settling your claim may be your best option. Here are a few reasons you may consider settling your claim.
Insurance Companies Want to Save Money
Insurance companies are in the business to make money like any other business. Many insurance companies know that when a case goes to trial, they have to spend a whole lot of resources in court.
That makes them more willing to give a larger settlement, sometimes more than the victim is worth, to avoid a lengthy and costly trial. A settlement is not always less than you would get in court. In fact, it is usually the same or more without the risk of the unpredictability of a judge and jury. An experiened attorney can negotiate with the insurance company to get what your case is worth.
Judges and Juries Can Be Unpredictable
If you do go before a court (assuming that you are entitled to more than what an insurance company is offering you for a settlement)), there is the chance that you could get less. With all the extra time and efforts of going to trial, there is no guarantee that you will get a more significant settlement. What is guaranteed is that there will be more risk involved, since judges and juries can be unpredictable.
Settling May Be Quicker and Much Easier
Again, this does not mean settling your claim is always the best decision. However, settling a car accident case before escalating it to trial is a much more comfortable and quicker way to get what you deserve and to put it all behind you. If you go to trial, the case can be drug out for months to years. During that time, you may not see a penny, and the financial burden may be on you.
Less Stress
A car accident is stressful enough. Pursuing a car accident all the way to trial may consume your time and your emotions. Sometimes it is best to settle the case and to move on. Healing is much easier without all the stress and pent-up emotion.
Settling might sound like you are settling (for less). However, in the long run, your St. Louis car accident lawyer benefits from you getting everything to which you are entitled to get. If they think that what you are being offered is fair, then it is a good idea to take their advice. They have your best interest at heart and the experience to know if going to trial is a good idea or a more costly and painful one.