Is Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit Worth It?

Is Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit Worth It?

After a car accident, you may ask yourself whether filing a claim is even worth it. Of course, if the accident is significant, you’ll have no choice, as nobody wants to pay for all accident-related expenses out of pocket, especially when they don’t have to.

But are there instances when filing a car accident lawsuit isn’t worth it? After all, filing a lawsuit is typically not the first step after a car accident; you may be able to get things settled with your insurance provider out of court. But how can you tell whether settling or brining a suit is better? These questions and the answers to them are what this blog focuses on.

How to Know You Have a Case

Following a car accident, one of the first questions you’ll have to answer is simple: do you have a case or not. But how are you to do this? Here’s but one reason why bringing in a car accident lawyer would be a good move. They’ll know whether or not you have a case just from hearing the initial facts, and since the first consultation is free, you won’t have to pay just to hear you don’t have a case.

Just because you weren’t showing signs of injury immediately following an accident doesn’t mean you weren’t injured by it. Injuries may manifest later on, and they may require expensive treatment. If this is the case, you should be properly compensated, especially if you didn’t cause the accident. The same thing is true for vehicular damage.

A personal injury lawyer will tell you up front whether or not lawsuit is winnable. And since they get paid based on what you win, they’re not going to waste their time with a case that’s not going to yield a low total damages figure. All of these reasons underscore why after a car accident, the best thing you can do is get in touch with a car accident lawyer, as they’ll tell you how you should proceed.

Should You Settle or Sue?

Deciding between a settlement and a lawsuit is a critical decision. Most cases are settled out of court, but there are instances when going to court is a major benefit. Here are some important things to consider regarding this subject:

Weigh You Options

Weighing your options is critical, and you should do this before settlement negotiations begin so you don’t change your plan mid course. Keep in mind that a settlement is meant to avoid the hassles and the elongated process that comes with going to court, but your insurance provider may offer a low-ball settlement to try and get away with paying less than they should.

It’s not solely a matter of money but a matter of time as well. If you take a quick settlement, you’ll get the process over with quickly, but you won’t get the money you deserve. Conversely, if you wait things out, you could have to endure a long and somewhat tedious litigation process, but in the end get fully compensated for all your injuries, making the accident much less costly. A car accident lawyer will go over your options with you and make sure you understand the pros and cons of each solution before you make a decision on how to proceed.

What Do You Have to Gain?

A lot of individuals harbor the misconception that car accident cases yield a ton of money across the board, but this isn’t the case. Damages are commensurate to the injuries and damage sustained. So if you see a high payout, it’s likely because the injuries and damage from the event was catastrophic.

Considering how much you have to gain from a lawsuit is important. If you’re trying to file one mainly out of spite, and not because you have to pay for injuries, a lawyer will likely turn down your case after the initial consultation. That being said, since there’s no up front fee, many consider hiring a lawyer to be a can’t-lose scenario.

Are You Ready for a Drawn-Out Process?

Going to court almost guarantees a drawn-out process. This is because several formal procedures have to transpire before the trial can get underway. Going to court is usually viewed as a last-ditch option, and usually the insurance company nor the lawyer want to end up in court. But if going to court is what’s necessary to get you the compensation you deserve, a lawyer will do this.

During litigation, a car accident lawyer will argue on your behalf in front of a judge and jury so your position is presented in the best possible way. Keep in mind though that after the court’s decision, the matter is settled, so you won’t be able to seek compensation afterward.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Aside from helping you determine whether or not you have a case, there are a lot of other things a lawyer can help you with. For example, if they decide to take you on as their client, they can conduct the evidence gathering process for you so you develop and present the best possible case. They’ll also handle the nitty-gritty so you can focus on recovery. They’ll depose involved parties and help you when you’re deposed. And they’ll play hard-ball with involved insurance providers so you don’t take a lo-ball settlement.

And should the claim go to court, they’ll help you navigate this process from beginning to end. In general, the skills, experience, and knowledge a car accident lawyer possesses may not just yield an award but peace of mind as well. And during a car accident case, peace of mind is invaluable.

We understand that filing a lawsuit can be challenging. That’s why we set out to make the process simpler. Just call 1-800-HURT-511 and we’ll connect you with best-in–class, multilingual lawyers who’ve secured over $1 billion for their clients. They have experience bringing cases like the one you wish to bring.

Call 1-800-HURT-511, as you may be running out of time to file.