Personal Injury Suits: What You Should Expect
Personal injury lawsuits are civil suits between the injured party, known as the plaintiff, and the party who caused the injury, the defendant. It's important to remember that most personal injury suits never actually go to court. When the defendant knows that he or she is guilty, most will attempt to settle. Taking a settlement is entirely up to you as the plaintiff, but it can often resolve the matter quickly and efficiently.
Unfortunately, many suits cannot be settled. The defendant may be unwilling to reach out, or the offer might be unreasonably low. In these cases, the suit will move to the next step. Most will attempt to go through a process called arbitration, which is a binding kind of alternative dispute resolution. If the two parties still cannot come to a resolution, the case will go to a civil court.
A good attorney is a great ally all through this process. He or she can help you to negotiate a better settlement and decide whether to go to court. Without a good attorney, it's easy to be taken advantage of when you are already injured.
The Benefits of a Personal Injury Suit
As you might imagine, the most common benefit of bringing a personal injury suit is getting monetary compensation. There are a number of factors in play that determine the size of a payout, some of which are more obvious than others. Awards tend to largely be based on factors like medical bills, the cost of car repair, and even lost wages. Some awards are also based on more nebulous concepts like pain and suffering. Working with a good attorney is the best way to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.