If this is your first experience with a personal injury claim, you may assume you will have to go to court and present your case to a judge or jury. The vast majority of the time, however, this is not the case. More often than not, a personal injury claim will settle in Bergen County without ever seeing the inside of a courtroom. A trial will only be necessary if the defendant refuses to treat your claim fairly or if your lawyer believes you deserve more than the insurance company is offering. The alternative to going to court with your personal injury case is resolving the claim through a settlement with the insurance company. A settlement is your signed agreement to stop pursuing the defendant legally for an accident in return for an amount of money you deem fair for your injuries and damages. It is up to you to accept or deny a settlement. If your case goes to trial, on the other hand, you will no longer have a say in the outcome of your case. Instead, a jury will decide for you. Going to court should not be something that prevents you from taking legal action against a negligent party after an accident in Bergen County. With the right civil trial attorney by your side, you can take on a trial without fear. Your civil trial attorney can handle the legal processes for you in the fight for maximum financial compensation. With the right legal strategy, a personal injury trial could lead to a greater financial outcome than a settlement. Hiring a trial attorney from the beginning can help your case by motivating the insurance company to work with you on a fair settlement. Having a trial lawyer represent you shows the insurance company you have the ability to go to court – something that could be expensive and risky for the insurer. Our attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeffrey S. Hasson, P.C., have years of experience handling personal injury settlements and court trials throughout New Jersey.