If you were recently injured in a Florida car accident caused by another’s negligence, you have the legal right to seek financial compensation to cover the losses you’ve incurred. You may be wondering, “Do you go to court for a car accident?”
Under Florida state law, you are not required to take your car accident case to the courtroom. In the majority of situations, an experienced car accident lawyer can help a victim recover compensation. They can do this through an out-of-court settlement by negotiating with the at-fault driver’s car insurance company.
However, if the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith, you and your lawyers need to be prepared to go to trial. The skilled trial lawyers at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath
can help you achieve the best possible outcome when a car accident case goes to court.
How can a car accident case settle out of court?
Settling your car accident losses out of court is a popular option. Insurance companies will often reach out quickly after an accident and will ask for a recorded statement. They may even offer you that settlement right away.
However, you are not obligated to provide a recorded or written statement nor do you need to accept the initial offer from the insurance company. You should consult with a lawyer who can advise you of your options.
If you do happen to get a fair settlement offer, there are several advantages such as:
- Receive compensation quicker
- Avoids an unpredictable jury decision
- Less legal costs
- Avoids a possibly time-consuming and rigorous trial
- Oftentimes less stressful for the victim
- Conducted privately
When you seek the counsel of an experienced car accident lawyer, they’ll be with you every step of the way. By handling the paperwork, negotiating with the insurance company, and helping you weigh the pros and cons of an offer, they can help ensure you’re getting a fair deal.
If you ultimately decide to accept a settlement offer, you will give up your right to pursue further compensation.
What happens if my case goes to court?
Keep in mind that insurance companies have one goal at the end of the day: minimize their payouts so they can increase their bottom lines. In many cases, having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side is enough to show the insurance company that you are serious about receiving a fair settlement offer.
There are other times when an insurance company will refuse to negotiate in good faith. They might prolong a resolution by requesting more and more evidence, offering low-ball settlements, or wearing you down with other tactics. Whether you do go to court for a car accident depends on the willingness of the insurance companies to negotiate.
Your car accident lawyer will advise you on whether or not an offer is fair and will adequately cover all of your damages and losses. If it gets to the point where it’s clear that the insurance company is unlikely to offer a fair settlement amount, your lawyer may recommend that you file a lawsuit.
This is why it’s critical that you work with a lawyer from the start who has trial experience and isn’t afraid to take your case to the courtroom. At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, our car accident lawyers have decades of combined experience in not only aggressively negotiating fair settlements, but also taking insurance companies to court when they refuse to negotiate fairly.
If you take your case to trial, lawyers from both sides will have a chance to present their case to the jury. Trials can vary dramatically based on how much evidence is present. The court will use the jury’s ruling to hand down a judgment.
Consult an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
If you are unsure of where to turn, we urge you to schedule a risk-free consultation with one of our experienced Florida car accident lawyers. We can help protect your rights, explain your options, and weigh the pros and cons of negotiating a settlement or taking your case to trial.
We are passionate about helping victims recover the compensation they need to recover and move on with their lives. Call us today at 561-655-1990 or send us a message online. We look forward to speaking with you.
