If you’re hurt in an accident, you’re going to want the person who hurt you to pay. You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for expenses related to the accident. That wouldn’t be fair. Most of the time, the defendant has insurance that will cover your expenses. If they don’t, you will have to sue them personally. Either way, your goal is to get your bills taken care of as fast as possible. The best way to make this happen is to consider settling your case. Your Houston personal injury attorney will do what it takes to negotiate a fair settlement.
Your Houston Personal Injury Lawyer Knows There Are Benefits to Settling
There are a lot of reasons why you may want to settle rather than go to trial. First of all, it takes a lot less time. It could take months or years to get to trial. The court dockets are usually backed up. That’s even more true now, thanks to COVID-19. It could be quite some time before you get before a judge.
If you settle, you’ll get a lump sum of money right away. You won’t have to worry about pursuing a defendant who has no assets. You also won’t have to worry about the defendant filing an appeal. You’ll get your settlement check in about a month. Once your attorney takes out their fee, they’ll make sure all of your medical bills are paid. Then they’ll make sure you get your share of the proceeds.
The Defendant Likely Wants to Settle Too
You may think that settling your case makes you look weak. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The defendant probably wants to settle as much as you do. They understand that it’s a lot better to come to an agreement that works for both parties rather than go to trial. Once a case goes to trial, anything can happen. At least when you settle, you get to compromise on certain points. For example, your Houston personal injury lawyer will make sure you get enough to pay your medical bills. They’ll also fight to make sure you get compensation for future medical care.
The defendant may think they have a strong case. But they also know there’s a chance they’ll lose in court. If that happens, they’ll be ordered to pay the full demand. The judge isn’t going to let them pay a lesser amount. Rather than have this happen, it may be in their best interest to settle for less than the full amount named in the lawsuit.
Most Personal Injury Cases Don’t Go to Trial
A lot of what you think you know about the law comes from television and the movies. A plaintiff walks into the courtroom wearing a neck brace and walks out with a million dollars. Things don’t work that way in real life. More than 95% of all personal injury cases settle long before trial. That’s because nobody wants to go to trial. They’re expensive and time-consuming. Plus, there’s always the chance that you could lose. If you lose in court, you don’t get a dime. And very rarely does a plaintiff ever appeal their case. This means a settlement may be your best option.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston
If you’re hurt in any sort of accident, you may have a legal claim for damages. It really depends on the facts of your case. If your Houston personal injury lawyer can prove negligence, then you have a good chance of recovering damages. Sometimes, it makes more sense to settle your case rather than go to trial. A lot of people think that going to trial means they’ll get more money. This isn’t always the case. Your best option may be to settle rather than go to trial. The only way to know for sure is to talk to a skilled personal injury attorney in Houston, Texas.
You can call and schedule your free, initial consultation as soon as possible after your accident. Set up a date and time to sit down with someone who’s handled dozens of cases just like yours. They know how to deal with the insurance company. They also know what it takes to prove your case. This gives you a good chance to ask any questions you may have. It also lets a skilled professional review your case and let you know if you have a claim at all. The consultation is free, and you don’t have to pay a dime until you settle your case.