Many personal injury cases settle, but if both sides cannot agree to a reasonable settlement then it may be necessary to go to trial. If you are getting ready to make your case in court, there are a few things that you should know before deciding on this route. A Prince George’s County personal injury attorney can tell you more about the potential risks and rewards of arguing your case in front of a judge and jury.
Can I Win More Money If I Go to Trial?
This is usually one of the main reasons to go to trial. When a fair settlement cannot be reached in negotiations, then a plaintiff can have their day in court. You can make your case to a judge and jury and hope for a more robust settlement. It’s possible that you will end up being awarded much more money from a jury than you ever could have negotiated for. The jury might even decide that the defendant should be hit with punitive damages due to their behavior.
Winning more than you would have settled for is the best-case scenario though, and it’s hardly a guarantee. The jury might award you less than you would have received through settling. They could even decide to give you nothing. That’s the risk you take when you go to trial.
What Do I Need to Succeed at Trial?
If you are going to go to trial, you want to have a strong case. You should:
- Have significant evidence
- Not be even partly at fault for the accident that caused your injuries
- Be willing to wait a while before you receive compensation
Plenty of other factors can make a difference to a jury too. How severe your injuries are, what kind of recovery you’re looking at, and the expenses you’re going to have to worry about due to the accident are big considerations for jurors. Frankly, it also helps if the jury finds you likable and sympathetic.
How Can an Attorney Help Me?
An attorney can help you build a compelling case and make arguments to the jury on your behalf. They can also defend you from accusations of wrongdoing. The defendant might try to argue that you were partly responsible for the accident that caused your injuries. If they can convince the jury that you’re even slightly responsible for the accident, there goes your chance at being awarded damages. Your lawyer can push back on this argument and show why you are the one who is owed compensation.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in an accident and you’re ready to pursue damages, contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P. We can schedule a free case consultation and tell you more about all of the ways that we can help you negotiate for fair compensation.
