Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?

Just because you get into your car and start the ignition doesn’t mean that you are going on a cross-country road trip. And just because you file a personal injury lawsuit doesn’t mean that you and your lawyer will wind up in a courtroom months or years later arguing your case in front of a judge and jury at a trial.

In fact, it is highly unlikely that your personal injury lawsuit will go to trial instead of being resolved through settlement. It is estimated that only four to five percent of personal injury lawsuits filed in the U.S. go to trial. That means the odds of your case being settled is extremely high.

The reason most cases settle is because of certainty and cost. It costs a lot of money to go to trial, and there is always a risk that a judge or jury will come back with a verdict that either costs a defendant an astronomical sum or leaves the plaintiff with nothing.

The reasons that the small minority of cases don’t settle and go to trial include:

• The defendant or their insurance company believes that the settlement demand made by the plaintiff doesn’t reflect the likelihood that the plaintiff will prevail at trial of is greater than the potential costs of going to trial.
• The insurer or defendant is denying any liability at all for the plaintiff’s injuries and believes that the evidence supports their position.
• The defendant’s settlement offer is too low.
• The insurer does not believe that you were injured, or disputes the severity of your claimed injuries.

Even though most cases settle, a good personal injury attorney needs to be prepared to take every case to trial. If the insurance company thinks that the lawyer is looking for a quick settlement, has no intention to go to trial, or does not have the experience and tenacity to take the case all the way, they will make lowball and wholly inadequate settlement offers, essentially calling the lawyer’s bluff. That is why you need a personal injury lawyer who has a reputation for being ready to go to trial in every case, and who has the skill and experience to win if and when a trial occurs.

At The Parian Law Firm in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we have exactly that reputation and know how to win. We represent injury victims exclusively and are committed to getting justice and compensation for our clients. Please contact us at (770) 727-5550 or chat live online with a member of our staff today.