In almost all cases, the answer to this question is no. About 97 percent of civil claims, including personal injury claims, settle out of court. In fact, in a few cases, our Lake Oswego car accident lawyers settle claims without filing any legal paperwork. If liability and damages are clear, insurance companies usually have a legal duty to settle claims almost immediately. Both these questions are hardly ever crystal clear. Insurance companies use any uncertainty as an excuse to drag their feet. Therefore, to put pressure on insurance company lawyers, most Clackamas County car accident lawyers file paperwork in court. Most judges schedule a few preliminary hearings. However, as mentioned, court cases rarely go to trial. Instead, personal injury cases usually settle based on the settlement value. This figure is a bit like a new car’s sticker price. The settlement value starts with past medical bills, likely future medical bills, and other economic losses. Then, to determine noneconomic losses, most attorneys multiply the economic losses by two, three, or four. As with all price and sales negotiations, personal injury settlement negotiations usually include some give and take.