If you’ve been injured in a vehicle accident, you may be wondering if you can settle your case before trial. The short answer is yes.

Most car accident cases are actually settled out of court, especially if the plaintiff has an experienced auto accident attorney. Remember that the insurance company has its experienced lawyers and resources to make you accept settlements that are good for the insurance company, not you.

You may want to accept the first settlement offer, but it is your right to receive maximum compensation for your injuries. So, if you have been injured in an auto or vehicle accident and another driver is at-fault, consult an experienced personal injury and car accident lawyer before accepting the settlement offer.

Is it better to settle an accident lawsuit or go to court?

Settlements are usually faster, cheaper, and less stressful options compared to trials. However, if the at-fault party’s insurer refuses to pay adequate compensation for your injuries, you may have to go to trial.

You should know that once you accept a settlement, you can't do anything else in the case. If your injuries worsen or new injuries are discovered, you cannot re-negotiate another deal.

How to settle a car accident case without a trial?

Settlements can help to resolve matters before taking the matter to be handled in court. Settlements can be arrived at any point during the case and many personal injury cases are settled before formal lawsuits are filed.

The following steps are involved in the settlement process –

1. Start the claim process
Before your lawyer can begin your claim, they need to know the full extent of your accident and injuries. So, they’ll gather all the information about your claim, medical bills and records, and wage loss documents. Your attorney may require other experts to confirm the extent and effects of your injuries, such as financial professionals, and doctors.

2. Demand settlement
Once your attorney knows your case, they’ll submit a demand letter that includes the damages being demanded, the legal arguments to support the demands, and copies of medical bills and police reports.Once the demands have been submitted, the defense attorney or insurer will respond to the letter or make a counteroffer. The negotiations may continue until a settlement is reached.

3. Mediation
Sometimes, settlement discussions don’t result in a settlement and a lawsuit is filed and litigation begins. In such a case, both parties may agree to sit with a neutral, mediator to reach an agreement, without going to trial.

If you wish to consult an experienced handicap liability injury or workplace injury lawyer in Beverly Hills or Sherman Oaks, CA, schedule a consultation with the law office of Eduard Braun in California, at 877-533-4LAW.