There are several reasons that most car accidents are resolved, with the plaintiff accepting a settlement. Insurance companies offer settlement deals because they want to avoid the costly legal fees associated with a court trial. They’re also motivated to avoid the risks of losing the case and having to pay a larger judgment awarded by a sympathetic jury. However, they’re not the only side that prefers to negotiate. In most cases, accepting a settlement is the more practical and beneficial decision for car accident victims. Settlements Provide Faster Compensation Crash victims often face significant financial challenges due to an accident and are eager to receive compensation as soon as possible. Negotiating a settlement takes some time, but it’s still faster than going to court. Trials can take months or even years to complete, especially if the case goes through an appeal process. Accepting a Settlement Creates Less Stress The prospect of being examined and cross-examined on the witness stand is very intimidating for most people. Preparing for a trial can also be very time-consuming and expensive because it involves gathering additional evidence to support the victim’s case, which can also become a source of stress. All these factors can affect the victim’s mental and emotional well-being. Accepting a Settlement Offers More Security Even after winning a judgment award in court, there’s the risk of an appeal that prolongs the process. In the worst-case scenario, the defendant may not have enough assets to pay the full judgment award if it’s more than the coverage limits of their insurance policy. If litigating the trial costs too much, accident victims could receive less through a trial than they would have recovered by accepting an offer. After negotiating a settlement, the victim knows what they’re getting and can move on with their lives. What to Expect if Your Car Accident Goes to Trial While both sides are incentivized to settle out of court, some scenarios will make it much more likely for cases to advance to a trial. For example, car accident victims with catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, will face astronomical damages due to the lifelong burden of their medical care. These cases are more likely to advance to trial, especially if the defendant is a business, such as the owner of a long-haul trucking fleet. If your case does escalate to a court trial, here’s what to expect: Discovery: This is a formal process where both parties exchange information, including document and witness statements Jury selection: If your case is not a “bench trial,” which is only presided over by the judge, attorneys from both sides will choose a group of individuals to decide the outcome Opening statements: Both parties summarize their arguments about what happened during the accident Presenting the case: The bulk of the trial will consist of presenting arguments about who should be held liable, including examining witnesses and a wide range of evidence. Closing arguments: The last opportunity for each side to explain why they should win the case. Jury deliberation: After both sides have presented their closing arguments, it’s time for the jury to deliberate and come up with a verdict per applicable laws Verdict announcement: Once the jury reaches its verdict on liability and damages awarded, they will announce it. If either party is unhappy with the verdict, they can appeal the decision to a higher court. Even if a case goes to trial, the parties may reach a settlement. Settlement negotiations may continue until the jury reaches a verdict. Having a skilled car accident attorney by your side protects your legal rights during every stage of the process.