When people imagine a car accident lawsuit, they think it’s like the cases they see on tv and in movies. They think there’s a 12-person jury sitting there in anticipation waiting to see how the case goes. They also picture the plaintiff walking out of the courtroom with a million-dollar check. This is not how real car accident cases in North Carolina work out.
Most car accident cases settle long before trial. Trials are expensive and time consuming. They can take months or even years to resolve. Very few car accident victims can wait this long. They have bills piling up and medical care that they need to get. This is the biggest reason why clients are eager to settle their cases. Very few people can afford to wait for months on end to catch up on their bills.
There are reasons, however, why you may want to wait and go to trial. Your Charlotte car accident injury lawyer can discuss your case in detail. If you truly want to take your case to trial, they’ll help you do that.
If You Win at Trial, You’ll Get Your Full Demand for Damages
One of the obvious benefits of going to trial is that you’ll get your full damages. If your case goes to court, your Charlotte car accident lawyer will fight to make sure you receive as much money as possible.
Some of the damages they’ll demand include the following:
- Any medical expenses you experienced – There’s a good chance you’ll need surgery or some kind of medical treatment after your accident. Even if your health insurance company covers these expenses, they’ll expect to be reimbursed. The defendant’s insurance company needs to be the ones to do this.
- Lost income and any future earnings – Some people aren’t able to work after their car accident. Their injuries are just too bad. If this happens to you, your Charlotte accident attorney will demand you be compensated for any lost future income you experience. This could be thousands of dollars or it could be hundreds of thousands of dollars. It depends on your situation.
- Pain and suffering – Not all plaintiffs receive pain and suffering. It depends on the facts of your case. If your injuries were very serious, you probably did experience pain. Your attorney can prove these damages in court.
- Permanent disability –In very serious cases, the accident victim is forced to go on disability after their car accident. If this is the case, they’ll receive a lot less than if they returned to work full time. The defendant will be held responsible for this.
- Property damage – Even minor car accidents cause damage to your vehicle. While your insurance policy may cover these, the defendant will ultimately be responsible for this.
You just want to be realistic about what kinds of damages you can demand. Every case is unique and the damages in one case may be totally different than they are for another case.
There May Be Good Reasons Why You Want to Go to Trial
There are a few reasons why you (or your lawyer) may think it’s a good idea to go to trial. If your case is very strong, you may want to take your chances in court. Also, if your case is large and the insurance company won’t budge on their settlement offer, you may need to go to trial. It all depends on your situation.
Your Charlotte car accident attorney will help you weight the pros and cons of going to trial. Some cases actually settle the day before court. So, don’t get worried if your trial date is approaching. The defendant’s lawyer is just as eager to settle the case as you are. Both sides have an interest in settling as opposed to going to trial.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Charlotte, North Carolina Today
Believe it or not, most car accident cases don’t go to trial. There’s no need to. It’s usually in everyone’s best interest to settle out of court. However, if this isn’t possible, your Charlotte accident lawyer will go to trial on your behalf.
You’re going to want a skilled injury attorney in Charlotte, North Carolina on your side. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case. We can help you get the compensation you deserve.
