When our Philadelphia accident attorneys first meet with a new client, they usually have the same question. They want to know how much their truck accident case is worth. They also want to know how quickly we can get them their money.
The truth is that most truck accident cases settle.
More Than 95% of All Personal Injury Cases Settle Out of Court
Regardless of the type of accident you’re involved in, there’s a good chance your case will settle. In fact, more than 95% of all personal injury cases ultimately settle out of court. There are several reasons for this.
When you settle your truck accident case, you don’t have to risk losing in court. Your Philadelphia injury lawyer will also spend a lot less of your settlement proceeds on fees, costs, and expert witnesses.
Some Cases Our Philadelphia Attorneys Handle Settle Without the Need for Legal Action
Believe it or not, there are many cases in which our Philadelphia accident attorneys settle without needing to sue the defendant. Many times, the evidence is so strong, the defendant doesn’t really have a leg to stand on.
There are other times when the insurance company knows that it will be cheaper to settle early than to spend thousands of dollars on a trial. Just because insurance companies seem to have unlimited supplies of money, that doesn’t mean they want to part with it.
Other Truck Accident Cases Didn’t Settle Until Days or Weeks Before Trial
While some cases settle early, there are other times when our Philadelphia accident attorneys don’t settle a case until the day of trial. If the evidence isn’t as strong as we’d like, the insurance carrier may try to stretch things out until the last minute.
There are also times when the defendant realizes at the last minute that they’re going to lose. They figure it’s worth negotiating a settlement, so they don’t have to pay your demand in full.
The Defendant Knows There’s a Chance They’ll Lose at Trial
There are times, especially in truck accident cases, when the defendant knows they don’t have a good chance of winning at trial. They will try to feel your Philadelphia injury lawyer out to see how much they’re willing to settle for.
For example, if the truck that hits you works for a local trucking company, they may not want to pay right away. However, they fear that, if you win, the damages could exceed their insurance coverage. Rather than risk this happening, they’ll be willing to settle for a lesser amount.
The Defendant Also Knows Your Philadelphia Injury Lawyer May Settle for Less Than the Full Demand
When your Philadelphia accident attorney first files your lawsuit, they will demand damages for your losses. They know going into the case, however, that they’ll be willing to settle for less than the full amount.
When your Philadelphia injury lawyer first files your complaint, they’ll talk to you about the idea of settling. They’ll try to determine a fair amount that you’ll be willing to settle for. This will be the amount they keep in mind during settlement negotiations.
Your Philadelphia Accident Attorney Also Has Good Reason to Settle
Even if you think your case is rock solid, there is always the chance you could lose at trial. You have no idea how the judge or jury will see things. If you end up losing, you will walk away with nothing. So will your Philadelphia accident attorney.
On the other hand, there are many benefits to settling your truck accident case. Some of these include:
- It will cost thousands of dollars less to settle than it will to go to trial
- Your case can settle in a matter of months, not years
- You’ll get your settlement in a lump sum
- You don’t run the risk of losing in court and getting nothing
- You also don’t run the risk of the insurance company or trucking company filing for bankruptcy
For all of these reasons, your Philadelphia accident attorney may encourage you to consider a settlement. However, the ultimate and final decision is up to you.
Your Lawyer Will Ensure That You Approve of the Settlement First
The good news is that you won’t have to worry about your attorney accepting a settlement without consulting you. There are two ways your Philadelphia injury lawyer may address your settlement.
Sometimes, your attorney will bring each settlement offer back to you for your response. This can be counterproductive. Not only does it take a lot of time, but the defendant can get frustrated and stop negotiations.
The other, more popular way, is your attorney will ask you for a bottom-line settlement figure. Any offer below this amount, they’ll reject immediately.
Settlements Are a Lot Faster and Less Expensive Than a Trial
At the end of the day, if you do win or settle your truck accident case, your Philadelphia accident attorney will have to be paid. The more time and money they spend on your case, the less money you’ll walk away with.
This is why you should at least consider accepting a settlement. Even if it’s for no other reasons than wanting to bring home as much money as possible.
You Have to Trust That Your Philadelphia Injury Lawyer Has Your Best Interests in Mind
It can be hard to agree to settle for less than what you think you deserve. However, as your Philadelphia injury lawyer will explain, it sometimes makes the best sense. Very few plaintiffs ever receive their full demand.
There is a reason why so many cases settle. It’s because it’s usually in the best interest of both parties. Trials are expensive and time-consuming. Then you end up risking losing if you do go to trial.
We suggest you contact our office and talk to an experienced Philadelphia accident attorney as soon as possible. They can explain how the settlement process works and let you know how much they think they can settle your case for.
Since we offer all new clients a free, initial consultation. There’s no reason not to take advantage of this opportunity.