Following a car accident, victims often face prolonged recovery periods with costly medical bills and substantial time out of work. If you were injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be aware that you can seek compensation to pay for those expensive medical bills and lost wages. However, you may not realize that a court trial is usually not necessary.
Most car accident cases in Fremont never go to trial. When a fair settlement can be negotiated out of court, both parties save money, and the court system remains free to handle more complex cases. There are several advantages for plaintiffs when a skilled attorney can help them negotiate a fair settlement without a trial.
While many accident victims invest in legal assistance to negotiate a fair settlement, the added costs of a trial can be substantially more expensive. Attorney billing hours, court costs, and other related legal fees add up quickly, cutting into a victim’s settlement.
Trials are unpredictable, opening up the potential for a lower amount than a settlement offered by the defendant. The impact of a lower settlement can be further amplified if the victim ends up paying for the defendant’s legal costs. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 998(c)(1), a plaintiff who rejects a settlement offer and then fails to obtain a more favorable award in a court trial is required to pay the defendant’s legal costs from the time of the offer. These added costs can substantially reduce the final settlement the victim receives.
At Solution Now Law Firm, we know how insurers think, our associates come from the insurance side and bring that insider knowledge to every case. Because we understand how insurers operate, we can often secure a favorable settlement without the time, cost, and risk of litigation.
Going to trial can be risky. To avoid unpleasant surprises, both sides typically prefer to settle out of court. However, if a court trial is necessary, you can rest assured that we will advocate for your right to fair compensation.
