In the wake of an injurious car crash, you may be faced with the decision of whether to settle a claim with an insurance company or take your case to court. While settling might seem like the quicker and easier option, it’s not always the approach that honors the best interests of crash victims.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and one of their strategies is to minimize payouts on claims. If you’re offered a settlement, it may be valued much lower than what your case is actually worth. This may be especially true if you’ve suffered serious injuries that require long-term medical care, result in lost wages and/or cause significant pain and suffering. By taking your case to court, you’ll have the opportunity to argue for a compensation award that reflects the true value of your harm.
Seeking accountability, justice and transparency
In some cases, a responsible party or their insurance company may refuse to accept liability for a crash or may downplay their role in causing the accident at issue. Taking your case to court will allow you to hold the negligent party that caused your recent collision accountable.
Additionally, when you take your case to court, the process will be transparent in ways that settlement negotiations rarely are. Presenting evidence and arguments in a public forum allows for a level of transparency that will help to ensure that your case is judged fairly based on the facts, rather than being manipulated by insurance company tactics. Finally, a court trial allows you to tell your side of the story in full, which may be important both in terms of seeking justice and in terms of seeking closure.
After a car crash, insurance companies often pressure victims to settle quickly, sometimes even before the full extent of their injuries is known. If you are feeling rushed to settle, you may be left without adequate compensation for future medical expenses or long-term concerns inspired by your collision. Taking your case to court can allow you to take the time you need to fully understand your injuries, gather necessary evidence and build a strong case without being rushed into a potentially inadequate settlement.