Taking your case to court rather than negotiating a settlement can increase the amount of money you will receive from the liable party. However, there are downsides to going to trial as well. One of the biggest advantages of taking a settlement over going to court is that going to court comes with risk. Even if your case seems airtight, the unpredictability of a trial can lead to you not receiving any money for the damages you suffered. Additionally, even if you win in court, the additional money you receive may not be worth the extended period you will have to wait to recover compensation. A settlement can get you paid in a fraction of the time. Of course, even if you choose to pursue a safer settlement route, avoiding a date in court may be impossible. The other party may be unwilling to negotiate, necessitating a trial.