Why You Need an Experienced Trial Lawyer for Your Car Accident Case

• August 28, 2024
• Asheville Auto Accidents
• Asheville Personal Injury
• Car Accidents

There’s a myth that all legal claims settle in the courtroom in front of a judge and judge. But for those settling life-changing car accident injury cases, it’s rare for a case to go to trial. Despite the likelihood of your car accident case settling out of court in direct negotiations between your car accident lawyer and the insurance companies, trial experience is often pivotal to winning exceptional car accident settlements. Let’s review the benefit a trial attorney can bring to your Asheville car accident case.

The Data Shows Car Accident Cases Rarely Go to Trial

The Bureau of Justice Statistics data shows only three to four percent of car accident cases go to trial. Below are several reasons your car accident case is likely to be settled out of court before going to trial:

Trials are unpredictable.

Legal teams for the plaintiff side and the defense prefer to avoid the unpredictability of a trial when possible. The challenge in jury trials is that even when your car accident lawyer presents the same evidence, accident data, and legal arguments, independent juries will each come to a different conclusion. Legal teams prefer the control of the settlement process with its known structure.

Trials take time and resources.

Both legal teams must allocate significant time and resources to jury trials. In cases where a plaintiff has pending medical bills and requires a settlement, waiting months or even years for the conclusion of a trial may cause further hardship.

The Reasons a Car Accident Case May Go to Trial

It’s not likely your car accident case will be one of the 4% that go to trial. However, there is a throughline connecting the cases that find their way to the courts, with factors including:

The insurance adjuster isn’t offering enough compensation.

If your car accident lawyer believes they can secure a verdict from a jury higher than the settlement the adjuster is offering, they will go to trial to ensure a higher amount for you. 

There’s a dispute regarding the fault for the accident.

North Carolina is a pure comparative negligence state, which means you cannot secure any settlement if you share any fault for the accident. In cases where the insurance company adjuster holds you partly or totally at fault for the accident, your lawyer may reserve the option to take the case to a jury trial and present compelling evidence to counter the insurance adjuster’s narrative and secure a fair verdict.

Why You Still Need a Trial Lawyer Despite the Data

While the data shows most car accident cases are settled pre-trial, a car accident lawyer with proven courtroom experience will bring exceptional value to your claim. Hiring an experienced trial lawyer for your claim will ensure:

The insurance companies take your case seriously.

Trial lawyers are known to the insurance companies. They keep a history of the settlements paid and the lawyers representing the plaintiffs in each case. When you hire a trial lawyer like Lakota Denton, who has a record of winning million-dollar settlements at trial, they are more likely to offer a higher initial settlement. Starting negotiations from this foundation gives you greater scope for improving your compensation.

Insurance companies respond promptly.

Knowing that you have an experienced trial lawyer behind your car accident case, insurance firms are more likely to respond promptly and proactively to limit a drawn-out negotiation. 

Trial lawyers with local experience know the value of your case.

Car accident case value depends on the circumstances of your case, the severity of your injuries, and the jurisdiction of the car accident. A trial lawyer with experience trying cases in that region will know how to articulate cases effectively to a local jury.  Experienced trial lawyers will also know the types of cases that settle for higher amounts in jury trials in that region. They track the history of jury trials in the County and give you a precise cost/benefit analysis as you navigate the negotiation phases with the insurance adjuster.

Put Years of Successful Car Accident Trial Experience Behind Your Case

As a highly successful North Carolina car accident lawyer, Lakota Denton’s previous experiences at trial have helped build his reputation in the industry. Insurance companies recognize his name and adjust their negotiating strategies in recognition of his proven track record. Learn the potential value of your car accident case with one of Asheville, NC’s foremost personal injury lawyers. Request your free, no-obligation consultation with Lakota Denton today by calling 828-677-2410 or booking online!