Do I Have to Go to Court After a Car Accident?
Do I Have to Go to Court After a Car Accident?
Do I Have to Go to Court After a Car Accident?
After a car accident, you are most likely going to speak with a police officer, a team of medical staff, and a mechanic or body repair person for your vehicle damage. By the time it is all said and done and before you reach any kind of settlement with an insurance company, you are most likely going to ask yourself or someone else the question “do I have to go to court after a car accident,” and you may not get the answer you want.
In fact, no one will be able to give you a clear yes or no answer until the time comes for your case to be settled. Our experienced car accident lawyers at Crowell Law Offices can examine the details and give you an estimate of how frequently cases such as yours see the inside of a courtroom.
Car Accident Issues Addressed by the Court
If you are in a car accident, the state will need to determine who was at fault. They will also need to determine the amount of costs resulting from the accident. Even fender benders can potentially cause damage to the vehicle and lasting health problems that may require you to seek compensation after the accident.
Although the majority of compensation cases after car accidents are settled out of court, whether you will have to go to court is dependent on the details of your individual case. Our lawyers can give you an idea of what to expect and the best way to move forward.
Understanding Insurance Settlements
Once the percentage of fault is determined, our lawyers can ask the insurance company to pay the amount you need to cover your injuries and damages. The insurance company may offer either payments over time or a one-time settlement.
If you refuse a settlement offered by the insurance company, your claim may go to court. Conversely, if the insurance company refuses to either make an offer or honor the claim, your case may also find its way into the courtroom.
Some of the factors that can impact your potential settlement are listed below:
- If you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- The status of your license
- Whether you filed all required paperwork in a timely manner as outlined by the California court system
Your lawyer has enough experience to answer the question “do I have to go to court after a car accident” in probable terms. However, no lawyer has any way of knowing exactly what the insurance company will agree to until they actually do so, or until either they or you refuse an offer and the case has to go in front of a judge.
Insurance companies often offer to settle for less than you need to cover your damages, and you will need a strong legal team to negotiate the terms that work for you.
Consult a Car Accident Attorney
Don’t agree to an insufficient settlement in order to avoid going to court. Sometimes you have to file a lawsuit in order to show the other side that you’re serious about your settlement.
Our lawyers can help you throughout the negotiation process after a car accident. Speak with a qualified car accident attorney from Crowell Law Offices by calling 916-303-2800 and schedule a free case evaluation.
