personal injury case settlement or trial

Imagine a situation where you are injured in an accident in Atlanta, Georgia. It may be something as simple as a slip and fall at your workplace or something more serious, such as an accident involving a truck. When that happens, you quickly start thinking about the best way to handle the situation. You realize that you have two options: going through a settlement process or taking the case to trial. 

What is the best decision for you?

There are pros and cons to both routes, and it can be tough to decide which one is right for your personal injury case. Thankfully, the Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines in Atlanta, Georgia, has a competent team of attorneys that understands the complexities of personal injury cases and can help you decide what is best for your situation. 

When should you consider the settlement process? 

One of the main elements that go into deciding whether to settle or go to trial is time. If you want to return to work and get your life back in order as soon as possible, then a settlement is the best route for you. Settlements are often quicker and less costly than court trials.

Secondly, if you are uncertain about your case, then a settlement can help to set up an award that is guaranteed. For instance, if you are unsure of the extent of your injuries, but know that they will be permanent and ongoing, then a settlement can help to ensure that you don’t end up with far less than what you consider fair compensation. 

Thirdly, you may want to keep your case private. This is especially important if yours is a high-profile case. Settling out of court can help to ensure that the details of your case remain confidential. 

What are the cons of settling? 

One of the main drawbacks to settling is that you may not receive as much money as you would if you took your case to trial. In most cases, you are not allowed to return for another settlement offer if the first one is too low. 

Another downside of settling is that if the process fails, you’ll have to start over in court. This means more time, stress and effort on your part without the guarantee of a better outcome.

Finally, if you settle for less than what your case is worth, then it can be difficult to go back and ask the company or individual that injured you for more money later on. 

When should you consider taking your case to trial? 

There are several instances where it might be best to take your Atlanta personal injury case to trial. One of them is if you want to take advantage of the fact that a court can help you get a higher award than you would get through a settlement. 

Second, if your case is an important one that affects the lives of others and there are lessons to be learned from it, then taking your personal injury case to trial can help bring about more awareness on the matter. 

Thirdly, it’s easier to receive a claim if you win your personal injury case in court. This is because the court system is more likely to enforce the judgment than a settlement process. 

What are the cons of taking your case to trial? 

The main downside of going to trial is that it can be costly. You may have to spend a lot of money on attorney fees and other costs associated with taking your case to court. 

Secondly, it can take a long time for the trial process to play out. This means that it’s possible to wait years for a final judgment in your case. This is especially true if the case is appealed. 

Third, there is no guarantee that you will win your personal injury case in court. This means that you could end up with nothing even after all of the time and money you’ve put into the process.

Additionally, taking your case to trial is also likely to be a more stressful experience for you and your family. This is because you have to put yourself in the spotlight, answer questions about what happened, and possibly even have to relive some of the worst moments of your accident.

Let our experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines help

For years, the Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines has been providing clients with high-quality service and legal representation in Atlanta, Georgia. We have a solid track record of success on both trial and settlement cases, so you can be confident that we know how to handle your case properly from start to finish. 

If you or someone close to you has suffered an injury and are considering a settlement or trial, please contact our office today for a free consultation. We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions and help you make the best decision for your situation.