It may surprise you to know that the majority of legal claims related to accidents or injuries never actually end up in court. Rather, the vast majority of these claims reach their endpoint by means of a settlement.
Whether or not it is a good idea to try to settle your personal injury case depends upon the particulars of your situation. According to FindLaw, a settlement is when the plaintiff agrees to stop pursuing legal action related to an accident or injury in exchange for either an agreed-upon sum of money from the defendant or potentially an agreement for the defendant to stop performing a specific action.
What are things I must consider before settling?
When working with your attorney to determine whether or not you should settle, you and your attorney must consider several things. For instance, what are the general jury verdicts versus the settlement outcomes in cases similar to yours? Based upon the current evidence, what are your chances of winning your case at a jury trial? Are there any practical difficulties associated with trying your case?
Depending upon the answers to these questions and more, you may decide it is better to attempt a settlement. You may also decide that taking your case to court is the wisest action.
What are things I should consider about a settlement?
Not all settlements result in monetary remedies. For instance, you may decide that you are happy with the defendant agreeing to stop engaging in a particular action that resulted in your injury. You may also wish for the defendant to agree to take proactive steps to prevent your variety of injuries or illnesses in the future.