What To Expect When You Get Involved In A Car Accident Lawsuit
For many car owners, involvement in a vehicular accident can be a distressing point in life. A car accident can bring about significant legal and financial consequences. In most instances, the incident can take on a severe emotional toll on those involved. If you emerge from an accident without any injuries, consider yourself lucky. Sadly, a serious accident will require a lengthy process for parties involved to ensure accountability.
It’s good to know that most cases of accident insurance claims are necessary before a trial. It simply means most cases only require negotiations between you and the insurance company. Although car accidents don’t always end up in court, there are scenarios where it’s the only option. In case this happens, you must be ready by knowing what to expect as your case progresses.
What Causes A Vehicular Accident To End Up In Court?
In most instances, a car accident case won’t require a trial. When you hire a car accident lawyer, they’ll handle the investigation and collect evidence to present your case in the best way possible. Once the other driver’s insurance company and your lawyer reach a fair settlement, the case ends and there’s no need for a trial anymore. However, there are circumstances where it ends up in court, especially in cases with multiple injuries and damages as well as those involving casualties.
The following scenarios are likely to cause a vehicular accident case to proceed with deliberations in a courtroom:
- The insurance provider couldn’t provide a just settlement
- The insurance company doesn’t make any move on paying out more money for the damages
- Both parties couldn’t agree on who’s responsible for the accident
Always remember that insurance companies only aim to get high profits. It means they’re eager to settle a case by paying out as little money as possible. If your insurance provider isn’t willing to pay for your damages or switch the blame on you, your lawyer might advise on taking the case to trial. If you want to learn how lawyers handle a car accident case in Oklahoma, checking out a reliable Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyer and others would help.
What Happens During A Car Accident Lawsuit?
When a car accident case ends up in court, both sides have the opportunity to present their evidence. At this point, your lawyer will come in handy. Your legal counsel can put together your claim for the trial by collecting evidence and present your case carefully. Here are some of the procedures:
- Introducing The Evidence
During the trial, you need evidence convincing the jury that the other driver was responsible for causing your injuries during the accident. Various types of evidence your lawyer will present during the trial include the following:
- Interviews from witnesses
- Medical records
- Expert interviews from your doctor
- Other proof that highlights your injuries
- Accident reports
The driver at fault or the defendant and their lawyer will be able to cross-examine you and your witnesses. They can also voice out any objections to your evidence and present their side of the story. Once both sides have raised their case, the decision will rest on the jury.
- Deliberation Of The Jury
In some states, the case will be under review by either a judge or a jury. Your lawyer might try to ascertain how sympathetic the jury might be toward your case. When the jury is compassionate, it can be to your advantage since you’re likely to receive a better outcome.
Once both sides have presented their evidence during the trial, the jury will decide who’s at fault for the vehicular accident and the amount of money you’ll receive from the insurance company for all the damages.
When everything goes well in your favor and your lawyer can precisely present what happened, expect a reasonable settlement for your damages. Due to the expensive nature of lawsuits, most car accident lawyers won’t bring a case to trial unless it’s concrete enough to win you the money you deserve. If you’re uncertain about your case, working with a car accident lawyer is an excellent move to ensure a good outcome.
Conclusion
When your car accident case ends up in a trial, making the necessary preparations is crucial. Although not all vehicular accident cases will proceed to a trial, you should be ready in case you’re involved in a severe case with significant damages on your part. If it’s your first time going to trial, knowing what to expect will help make your experience hassle-free and manageable. Consider the ideas mentioned here as you navigate your situation.
