For people who have never sued anybody, they don’t understand the process. All they know is what they see on television and read in books. Or, they may know someone who has been through a personal injury trial in Charlotte and ask them how it works. One of the most common misconceptions is that, as soon as you win in court, you get a huge check. In reality, this rarely if ever happens.
When you sue someone, it can take months or years for your case to go to trial. This is why more than 90% of all personal injury lawsuits settle out of court. Nobody wants to deal with the time and expense of going to court. Even if you win, it can take months or longer to see a dime. Just because you get a judgment against someone doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to see a big pay day.
Often times, larger cases are appealed by the defendant. Even if it’s an insurance company, they have the right to appeal. They have a certain amount of time to do this. This could start the entire process all over again. Which means it will be years before you see a penny. And, if your judgment is against an individual and not a company, it can take even longer. The good news is your Charlotte personal injury attorney can help. They understand how to negotiate a settlement with the defendant’s lawyer. They can also help you enforce your judgment against the defendant.
Your Judgment May Take Years to Get Paid
The are risks with a personal injury trial in Charlotte. There’s always the chance that you could lose. The judge or jury may feel that the defendant isn’t liable for your injuries. This is why most Charlotte personal injury lawyers would rather settle your case out of court. But even if you win your personal injury trial in Charlotte, that doesn’t mean you’ll get money right away. The defendant could appeal your case. Or, if your judgment is against a person rather than a company, they may not have any assets. The only way to collect a judgment is to go after the defendant’s assets. If they have nothing, there is nothing to get.
Consider a situation where someone is hurt in a car accident. The other driver has no insurance. You get a few thousand dollars from your own uninsured motorists’ fund. However, this barely covers your medical bills. You’re still entitled to lost wages, property damage and pain and suffering. You will have to file a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. Even if you win a judgment for $100,000, you may never see a dime. If the driver has no property, no bank accounts and no job, there isn’t much your Charlotte injury lawyer can do.
Is it Better to Just Settle Your Personal Injury Trial in Charlotte?
A lot of Charlotte personal injury lawyers choose to settle their clients’ cases is because it’s easier than going to trial. A personal injury trial in Charlotte might be time consuming and expensive. And, there’s the chance that you could lose. But, even if you do win, you may never get a penny. At least if you settle your case, you will get a lump sum payment. If the defendant doesn’t abide by the settlement agreement, your case will continue on to trial. The defendant will only have a certain amount of time to pay the settlement. The good news is that, once they do, your case is over and you don’t have to worry about going to court.
Contact an Experienced Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Immediately
If you’re hurt in any sort of accident, you may be entitled to compensation. The only way to know for sure is to meet with a seasoned personal injury attorney in Charlotte. You can schedule your free initial consultation immediately after your accident. Of course, you’ll want to wait until you’ve been treated for your injuries. But you don’t want to wait too long. If you do, there’s the chance that you’ll miss the statute of limitations in North Carolina.
When you call Ted Greve & Associates to set up your consultation, pick a date and time that works for you. We can even do it over the phone if need be. Your attorney will answer any questions you may have regarding a personal injury trial in Charlotte. They can even give you an idea of what your case is worth. The consultation is free and you don’t pay your lawyers until after your case is resolved.
