What Is Better for My Georgia Personal Injury Case: Settlement or Trial?

What Is Better for My Georgia Personal Injury Case: Settlement or Trial?

If you suffered an injury caused by someone else’s negligence, wondering whether a settlement or trial is better for your case is normal. Everyone wants to receive the best outcome from their personal injury case. However, which option is better depends on various factors and is unique to each case and each plaintiff’s circumstances.

An experienced personal injury lawyer can assist you in determining if a settlement or trial is best for you. But, in most cases, you won’t know the answer until you see the settlement offered by the other party.

Benefits of a Settlement in Personal Injury Cases

The two primary benefits of accepting a settlement offer are that you can receive compensation faster and that there is less risk involved. These benefits are good because:

• Faster Recovery – If you need compensation right now, such as if you have bills to pay and you’ve been out of work for an extended period, a settlement can result in compensation sooner. Your case may settle within months rather than a trial that could last a year or more.
• No Risk – A settlement cuts out the leading cause of risk in personal injury cases: the jury. By avoiding trial, you’re avoiding the possibility that the jury awards you money that doesn’t cover all your expenses or doesn’t award you any money at all.

Benefits of Going to Trial in a Personal Injury Case

While trials take longer than settlements and there’s more risk involved, going to trial is sometimes the better option. For example, benefits of a trial include:

• Chance of More Compensation – While the jury could award you less compensation than you need, it could also award you far more compensation than the other party was willing to offer. Depending on the circumstances of your case, this may be a risk you want to take, and your lawyer can help evaluate that risk.
• Sometimes Necessary – Although this isn’t exactly a benefit, going to trial is sometimes necessary. If the other party doesn’t offer a settlement that covers your expenses, a trial is your opportunity to get the money you need.

How to Determine If a Settlement or Trial Is Right for You

If you’re unsure about whether a settlement or trial is the best option for you, here are some questions you can ask yourself:

• Do you need money now? If so, a settlement may be the better option.
• Will you need long-term medical care? If so, make sure the settlement considers that before you decide.
• Does the settlement offer cover your expenses? If not, you probably need to take your case to trial.
• Does your case have a high chance of success? If so, it may be worth going to trial to seek more compensation than the settlement amount.

Contact an Atlanta, Georgia, Personal Injury Lawyer

If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, contact Kaufman Injury Law for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and help you determine if a settlement or trial is best for you.