Most car accident claims are settled without the need for a formal trial. Until this happens, however, the possibility of having to go to court is very real. That’s why, if you were the victim in a car accident, it’s a good idea to brush up on how the legal system works and prepare for a potential trial.
Why Might The Case Go to Trial?
If your car accident case is going to go to court, it’ll usually happen because you and the insurance company cannot agree on compensation. Car accidents are expensive and stressful, and the unfortunate reality is that many insurance companies are concerned about their bottom line, not your damages and injuries. When people feel like they aren’t being offered a fair payout, taking it to court is their chance at getting the money they deserve, with the tradeoff of having to pay a legal team and spend time building their case.
What Happens When a Car Accident Goes to Trial?
A car accident trial isn’t too different from other injury-related cases. The main difference is that instead of arguing against the person whose action or negligence caused the accident, the case is against the insurance company, which is withholding the money you’re looking for. Here is the timeline of how the trial will go:
- First, the jury will be randomly selected from a pool of your peers.
- The trial’s date will be set.
- On the date of the trial, you will be able to present your case to the jury, proving that you are entitled to the full compensation you’re asking for. This includes testimonies from witnesses and professionals.
- The insurance company will argue their side, often that you were partially responsible for the accident. The witnesses may be questioned to try and find evidence against you.
- Once all of the arguments have been heard, the jury will deliberate as to whether or not your claims are correct.
- The verdict will be delivered to the judge, who will then share the results.
- If you win the case, the insurance company has the chance to appeal and try the case again. Assuming this appeal does not go through, you will receive your full compensation within 40 business days.
The process is pretty straightforward; it’s the actual case-building and arguing that you need to prepare for, however. Your lawyer can help you get ready for the case, and they’ll handle the job of persuading the jury to listen to you, but it’s important for you to be involved in gathering evidence.
How to Prepare for Court
In order to successfully prepare for the case to go to the court, you should:
- Prepare your evidence. Evidence can come in a variety of forms, such as eyewitness statements, statements of professionals such as the police and your doctor, your medical records, footage of the accident, the damage done to either car, and more.
- Consult with your lawyer. Your lawyer does more than just argue your case in the courtroom. They will also help you prepare in advance while you gather evidence, craft your arguments, and figure out the right amount of money to be asking for.
- Figure out what the insurance company will likely argue. Understanding the claims you’ll be fighting against is necessary so that you can be prepared ahead of time and convince the jury with the facts instead of being caught off guard. You’ll be able to address and debunk the possible claims ahead of time. An experienced car accident lawyer can help with this, as they know what you’re dealing with.
Your Car Accident Lawyers
If you need to take your car accident case to court in Georgia, you need a legal team that understands your situation and is willing to provide the help you need to get the money you deserve. You need Lamar Law Offices, a personal injury-focused law firm with a history of winning cases and helping our clients move on from their accidents. Contact us today for a free consultation.