Auto Accident Attorney | Pros and Cons of Settling out of Court

Auto Accident Attorney | Deciding to contact and hire a car accident lawyer can be a difficult decision, but even after you’ve made that choice, you’re going to have options to weigh. One of the most difficult can be if you should accept the offer and settle out of court. While your attorney can help guide you in that decision, it’s good to be thinking about the costs and benefits of that decision. Here are a few things to consider.

Not receiving enough compensation

While the offer that you receive is likely to be lower than the amount you hope to be awarded, it’s the safety that you will still end up with something. Sometimes these offers can be close enough that the guarantee of receiving at least some proportion of your loss makes it worth settling.

The loss of the purpose

Sometimes court cases can be precedent setting or the final judgment against a company can raise awareness to your cause. If you settle out of court, it is more unlikely to be disclosed to a wide audience.

Less overall expense

Trial cases are considerably more expensive for both parties. Truncating legal proceedings and accepting a settlement offer reduce the workload, and the overall cost for all parties involved.

Predictability

Whether your case is slated for a judge or a jury, any car accident attorney will tell you that anything can happen. Judges, and more frequently, juries, can result in more unpredictable trial outcomes.

Finality

While it is possible to appeal a settlement case, the settlement outcome is usually final. The ability to end the lengthy legal process is often a huge factor in the desire to accept a settlement.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have been involved in a vehicle accident, and are looking for a car accident attorney with extensive background, please contact our offices. Mingledorff and Patterson have broad experience in these types of cases and will work hard to get you the outcome that you deserve.