Why You Shouldn't Shy Away From Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit
Posted on: 25 March 2020
A personal injury lawsuit can take a long time, as long as three years, to conclude. Complex injury lawsuits can take thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to litigate. Considering the time and the money, you might wonder whether its worth it to file a lawsuit after negotiations fail. Below are some of the reasons lawsuits still make sense despite the above complications.
You Only Pay If You Win
Personal injury litigation may cost a lot of money, but you usually only pay if you win. Most lawyers handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis. The lawyer handles your case without upfront money from you and takes a percentage of your award. This means that even if the case costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, the cost will just be a fraction of your award.
Injury Cases Vary
Another reason to file a lawsuit is that each case is different. Some cases take time to resolve while others seem to be over as soon as they begin. Cases also attract different costs. The complexity of the case, the necessary evidence, jurisdiction, and type of personal injury case all determine the overall cost of litigation. Thus, it is not a given that your case will be complicated, expensive, or lengthy.
You Can Still Settle
You can still settle your case outside the courtroom after filing your lawsuit. Negotiations outside the court can still continue parallel to the court proceedings. You then inform the judge or your agreement, if you do reach one, and the case ends. In some cases, filing a lawsuit can motivate the defendant even further in their quest for a settlement. Many defendants are just as wary of litigation as plaintiffs, maybe even more.
Defendants Need To Pay
Lastly, you should file your lawsuit because personal injury defendants need to pay for their actions. Some defendant's actions, such as intentional or reckless acts, should not go unpunished. For example, a repeat DUI offender who causes a grisly accident should compensate the defendants for their actions. You let the motorist off easy if they don't want to pay, and you decide not to file your lawsuit. Pursuing your case to its logical conclusion also serves as a warning to other motorists that their actions have consequences.
As you can see, you should not drop your case just because you have failed to reach a resolution outside the courtroom. Talk to a personal injury law firm, such as The Bregman Law Firm, P.C., to help you prepare the strongest lawsuit possible.
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