In most cases, you do not have to go to court for a Columbus car accident claim. The large majority of personal injury claims are settled before reaching a trial.
Columbus car accident lawyers and insurance companies both generally try to avoid going to court because trials are expensive, time-consuming, stressful, and, in some cases, unpredictable. However, if the insurance company disputes fault or refuses to offer a fair settlement, your personal injury lawyer will not hesitate to go to trial and fight for appropriate compensation on your behalf.
When Do Columbus Car Accident Claims Go to Court?
Columbus car accident claims generally only go to court as a last resort. However, some situations can make a case more likely to head to trial, such as:
Disputes About Fault or Damages
If your Columbus personal injury attorney and the insurance company cannot agree about who is responsible for the crash or how much compensation you rightfully deserve, you may need to go to trial and let a jury decide.
Catastrophic Injuries
If you suffered catastrophic injuries, such as severe brain damage, paralysis, limb amputation, or other permanent harm, the insurance adjuster may be unwilling to offer a settlement that covers all your current and future losses. In this case, going to court may be the only way to get the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Multiple Liable Parties
When more than one individual or entity is responsible for a crash, assigning each party’s portion of liability can get complicated quickly and lead to disputes with their insurance provider(s).
For example, let’s say a speeding truck driver flies through an intersection at the same time a drunk driver in a smaller vehicle runs a red light. The truck hits the drunk driver, causing them to hit you. In this case, the drunk driver will likely be largely responsible for the crash, but the truck driver and/or their employer may also bear some degree of fault.
If other factors contributed to the crash, such as a defective vehicle part or improperly balanced truck cargo, these factors can all combine to make your claim highly complex. Cases involving situations like this may need to go to court to sort out liability and ensure you receive fair compensation.
Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers
If the at-fault driver involved in your crash has little or no insurance, you may be able to turn to your uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) insurance policy to cover some of your losses. However, if you don’t have UM/UIM coverage or it won’t cover all your damages, taking the at-fault driver to court may be the best way to get what you deserve.
In any case, your Columbus auto accident lawyer can determine whether going to trial is a viable option or if it would be better to accept a settlement agreement.
What Damages Can You Recover in an Out-of-Court Settlement After a Columbus Car Crash?
Ohio is an at-fault auto insurance state, so the responsible driver should pay for your damages after a crash. Your Columbus car accident attorney will negotiate with the liable party’s insurance company and aim to settle your case out of court for a fair amount. You may qualify for a range of economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost income and employment benefits
- Repair or replacement of your damaged vehicle
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
You shouldn’t have to cover any of these losses on your own, so if going to court becomes necessary to achieve a fair outcome, your Columbus motor vehicle accident lawyer will not hesitate to do so.
Our Columbus Car Accident Lawyers Will Aim Your Case Toward a Settlement Instead of a Trial
At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, we have millions for our clients, including. We are not afraid to go to trial when necessary to get the results our clients deserve.
However, we understand that most personal injury victims in Columbus prefer to settle their cases without having to go to court. To steer your case in that direction, our personal injury law firm will:
- Perform a thorough investigation and gather all available evidence to prove the at-fault party’s negligence and liability
- Ensure each involved party receives a fair portion of the blame for their part in the accident
- Negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf so you can avoid inadvertently saying something that might harm your claim
- Weigh each settlement offer you receive from the liable party’s insurer and determine whether it is fair
Settling your case will likely be faster, less expensive, and less stressful than going to court. However, sometimes a trial is necessary to get fair compensation. In the end, it is ultimately your decision to accept a settlement offer or go to court.
Your attorney will file a car accident lawsuit on your behalf before the statute of limitations expires, preserving your right to go to court if it becomes necessary. But in any case, we will honor your wishes, as we know the decision of whether to go to court may greatly affect your future. You can trust our Columbus car accident lawyers to always have your best interests at heart.
Get Your Free Columbus Car Accident Claim Consultation With The Fitch Law Firm LLC Today
At The Fitch Law Firm LLC, our Columbus car accident attorneys are compassionate legal advocates and aggressive negotiators. If the negligent party’s insurance company does not make a fair settlement offer, we will help you make an informed decision about whether we should take your case to court.
We handle Columbus car accident claims on contingency, so you won’t pay us anything if we don’t get a settlement or court judgment for you. To learn more and get started on your claim, contact us today for a free initial consultation with a member of our legal team.
