If your car accident case is the rare one that does go to court, it may go through several phases. Discovery In the discovery phase, your lawyer builds your case by gathering evidence, reviewing relevant laws and statutes, interviewing witnesses, reviewing the police report, investigating the accident scene, and determining your damages' full extent and value. Negotiations Once your lawyer builds your case, they will try to avoid going to trial by negotiating with the defendants and insurance companies for a fair settlement. If the parties agree on the settlement amount, you can receive a payout without going to court. However, if the parties cannot agree, your car accident case may progress to trial. Arguments and Trial Your case moves into the courtroom for the arguments and trial phase. This is where your car accident attorney makes arguments supporting your claim, presents evidence, and possibly brings expert witnesses to testify about the accident or the severity of your injuries. Verdict and Award The final phase is when the jury issues a verdict in your case after considering all arguments and evidence from both sides. If the jury rules in your favor, it will announce a monetary amount the defendants must pay you. Car accident cases rarely go all the way to court. And, even then, both parties may reach a settlement agreement during the process, which resolves your case before it reaches a jury.