Being involved in a car accident is pretty traumatic for the victims unless the severity is not high. In some cases, the victims are injured and might have to go through a long healing process. This involves a lot of medical expenses and doctor consultation fees, not to mention the burden of filing a car accident claim.
If you want to know more about how you can file a personal injury claim, you can click here. Most times, the issue gets settled when you file a claim, but on some occasions, neither of the parties involved comes to an agreement. And hence, you might have to go to court with your car accident claim.
When does a car accident claim go to court?
There are three possible scenarios for when a car accident claim might go to trial.
- When the claims adjuster will not give you a just settlement offer
- Even when you hire an attorney and they negotiate with the insurance company for more compensation, they might not agree to your demands.
- The other driver or the party involved in the accident does not accept their mistake, nor do you.
What happens next?
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Gathering and presenting evidence
This is a vital step in the trial. If the jury cannot come to a conclusive decision, even the slightest bit of the evidence might shift the case in your favor. You will be required to present relevant evidence supporting your case in court to prove that the driver was negligent, such as:
- A police report from the time of the accident
- Statements from witnesses
- Statements from doctors who assessed your injuries
- X-ray, MRI, and CT scan reports from the hospital
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Jury deliberation
This is a vital phase in a trial where the jury members come together to review the evidence presented during the trial and reach a verdict. In some states, a judge might give a verdict as well.
During deliberation, the jurors examine the facts of the accident, discuss their viewpoints, and check how credible the witnesses are. They determine how strong the evidence is and if it is enough to reach a verdict. They thoroughly analyze the arguments made by both sides and reach a verdict. Normally, the jurors will decide the following two things to end the trial:
- Whose mistake was it that caused the accident?
- How much does the insurance company owe you for compensation and damages?
This usually is the end of the trial, and both parties have to agree to the verdict and perform what they are asked for. It is always best to try to resolve the issue without going to court, but if you cannot, there is nothing to worry about as long as you hire an attorney.
