When you sue for damages after an accident, there is a possibility that you will have to go to trial. This is not a likely possibility because so many personal injury cases settle before that point, but it’s important to know that you may have to make your case in front of a judge and jury. That’s why it’s important to talk to an experienced New Jersey personal injury lawyer who can help you negotiate for a settlement or build a case that can succeed in court.
What Can Make a Trial More Likely?
When a case seems cut and dried and when it’s clear that someone should pay someone else damages, it’s usually easy to settle. Unfortunately, not every personal injury lawsuit is so easy to parse the details of. As a result, complications like these can make a trial more likely to happen:
Lack of evidence: If you don’t have a lot of evidence that can back up your side of the story, the defendant might be unwilling to settle and more willing to go to trial against what they perceive to be a weaker case.
Contradicting statements: You say one thing, a witness to the accident says another, and the defendant has their side of the story to tell too. If it’s hard to figure out who’s telling the truth, it can be harder to negotiate a fair settlement.
Multiple parties are to blame: This can make it harder to determine fault and who should pay what kind of compensation.
Will I Have to Testify at a Trial?
You may have to. This is your chance to tell the jury your side of the story. You won’t just talk about what happened. You also get the opportunity to talk about your injuries and how you have struggled on the road to recovery.
Having a doctor or medical professional testify about your injuries is one thing, but hearing the story directly from you can be more convincing to a jury. We understand that this can make some people nervous, but your lawyer can prepare you for testimony and let you know what to expect.
What Can Happen in a Trial?
When you go to trial, you could be taking a big risk. You could get less than a proposed settlement amount or you could get nothing at all. However, it’s also possible that a jury will award you far more than the other side was willing to settle for.
This is why it is important to consult an attorney who knows these kinds of cases. We can advise you on when it’s a good idea to go to trial and when a settlement is a better option.
Contact Our Law Firm Today
So if you are ready to pursue a personal injury case and you’re worried that you might have to go to trial, contact our experienced attorneys. Falcon Law Firm can offer you a free consultation and we would love to take the time to tell you more about what we can do to assist you.
