Personal injury cases can be challenging to navigate. These cases leave victims with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and other financial burdens.
For this reason, many people decide to settle their personal injury cases. While settling may seem like a quick and easy solution, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
Pros of settling your personal injury case
Pros of settling your personal injury case include:
- Faster Resolution
One of the main advantages of settling a personal injury case is that it’s a quicker way to reach a resolution rather than if you were to go to trial. Trials can take months or even years to complete, leaving you in limbo while you wait for a verdict.
Settlement negotiations, on the other hand, are usually complete within a matter of weeks or months, providing you with the closure you need to move on.
- Lower Legal Costs
Trials are expensive. In addition to attorney fees, you may have to pay expert witness fees, court fees, and other expenses associated with litigation. Settling your case can significantly reduce these costs, allowing you to keep more of your settlement money.
- Guaranteed Outcome
When you go to trial, there’s always a risk that you may lose your case. Even if you have a strong case, there are no guarantees in the courtroom. When you settle your case, you know exactly how much money you will receive and can avoid the uncertainty of a trial outcome.
Cons of settling your personal injury case
However, in some cases, things may be more optimal or convenient for a victim of personal injury if they were to go to trial. There are instances where a victim may skip the trial and settle.
In those instances, it is a regular occurrence for a victim to receive less compensation than if they would have went to trial.
In contrast, the cons of settling your personal injury case include:
- Potentially Lower Settlement Amount
When you settle your case, you’re essentially agreeing to accept a certain amount of money in exchange for dropping your lawsuit. The amount you receive may be lower than what you would receive if you went to trial and won your case. Usually, this is because the motivation of insurance companies is to settle for as little as possible to save money.
- No Chance of Appeal
When you settle your case, you waive your right to appeal. If you were to go to trial and lose, you would have the opportunity to appeal the verdict. When you settle, you’re giving up this right, which could be a disadvantage if you feel that the settlement amount is too low.
- Lack of Accountability
When you settle your case, you’re essentially agreeing to let the responsible party off the hook without admitting fault. Without the other party being held accountable, this could leave you feeling unsatisfied if you perceive the other party to be at fault.
Going to trial may result in a verdict that holds the other party responsible for their actions and provides a greater sense of justice.
Connect with Pepper & Odom
It’s important to discuss your options with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you weigh the pros and cons and make an informed decision. With the right guidance, you can make the best choice for your situation.
Our attorneys at Pepper & Odom have the experience necessary to help you build your case, and get you the compensation that you deserve.
You can contact us online, or you can call one of our offices in Mississippi or Alabama. Call (601) 202-1111 to reach our office in Ridgeland, Mississippi, and to reach our office in Birmingham, Alabama call (205) 250-1107.
