First, more than 90% of all lawsuits are resolved out of court, most of them. Around 95% of all cases are resolved relatively quickly following the jury's verdict. According to the most recently available statistics, about 95 percent of pending lawsuits end in a pre-trial settlement. This means that only one out of every 20 personal injury cases is resolved in a court of law by a judge.
or a jury. It also means that planning a pre-trial settlement is a crucial component of any sound legal strategy. In fact, many experienced personal injury plaintiffs use most of the pre-trial preparation period to build a case that encourages their opponents to settle for a favorable sum. If you prefer to resolve your case before trial, be sure to let your lawyer know about your wish in a timely manner.
Taking a personal injury case to trial can take months or even years, depending on the complexity of the case and the court's schedule. For this reason, it's important to carefully consider any settlement offer and consult with your attorney before accepting it. Before the start of legal proceedings, the vast majority of personal injury and product liability lawsuits are resolved out of court. Labinoti highlighted the unpredictability of court decisions and noted that the results may be influenced by factors not related to the law or evidence. The time it takes to resolve a personal injury claim out of court can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the willingness of both parties to negotiate.
Resolving a personal injury lawsuit out of court offers several benefits, including a faster resolution, reduced legal costs, and less emotional strain. It's important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer fighting on your side; your attorney must include the costs of future medical treatment in the agreement. Reaching an out-of-court settlement allows for a faster resolution, which can be particularly important for plaintiffs who need compensation to cover ongoing expenses. Labinoti advocated resolving cases out of court whenever possible, citing reduced risk for both plaintiffs and the defendants.
This suggests that pre-trial agreements may be in the best interest of defendants who lack solid evidence to defend themselves against the charges they face. By reaching a settlement, defendants can avoid the possibility of a jury delivering an important verdict, while plaintiffs eliminate the risk of receiving nothing. Insurance companies often request lower settlements than a jury could grant and, in order to resolve the case quickly, plaintiffs may be tempted to accept a lower offer. Instead of leaving the decision in the hands of a jury, you can negotiate a settlement that reflects what you consider to be fair compensation for your injuries.
For many plaintiffs, the idea of telling the details of their injury in court, facing cross-examination, and enduring a potentially lengthy trial is overwhelming. Resolving a personal injury claim out of court means that both parties, typically the plaintiff and the defendant, or their respective insurance companies, agree to resolve the matter without going through the process of a full trial.