In a personal injury case, going to trial may be the best option if you and the other party cannot agree to settlement negotiations. If your case goes to trial, you should do a few things to ensure that you are prepared. This blog post will discuss five things you should do if your personal injury claim goes to trial.
What Are Personal Injury Claims Trials?
A personal injury claim trial is a court proceeding in which a plaintiff—the injured party—seeks compensation from the defendant for damages sustained in an accident. The personal injury case will get tried if the parties cannot settle through negotiation or mediation.
Both sides will present their evidence and arguments to the judge or jury at trial. The plaintiff will try to prove that the defendant is liable for the accident and that the damages awarded will compensate the plaintiff for the injuries sustained. The defendant may try to confirm that the plaintiff is not entitled to personal injury compensation or that the damages claimed are excessive.
After the presentation of the evidence by both parties, the judge or jury will deliberate on the case, and then they will make a decision.
- If the plaintiff prevails in this matter, the court will order the defendant to pay any damages that have been awarded to the winning party (the plaintiff).
- If the verdict in a personal injury claim trial is in favor of the defendant, the plaintiff may be ordered to pay the costs of the trial.
- These costs can be high and may include the legal fees of the defendant, as well as any other expert witnesses that get called to testify and cross-examination.
- In some cases, the court may also order the plaintiff to pay damages to the defendant if it is found that the plaintiff’s actions led to the injury.
Reasons Why Your Personal Injury Claim Went To Trial
If you recently brought a personal injury case to trial and it did not go as you had hoped, you might be wondering why. Here are a few reasons why your personal injury claim may have gone to trial:
- The other party refused to settle: In many personal injury cases, the two parties will go back and forth trying to settle. However, sometimes the other party will refuse to pay, forcing the issue to trial.
- The two parties could not agree on a settlement amount: If the two parties cannot agree on how much the case is worth, it will have to go to trial so that a judge or jury can decide on the amount.
- The case was complex: Some personal injury cases are more complicated than others, making settling more challenging.
5 Things To Do If Your Personal Injury Claim Goes To Trial
If your personal injury claim goes to trial, you can do a few things to prepare yourself.
First, hire a reputable personal injury attorney with experience with personal injury cases.
Second, make sure you have all of your evidence gathered and organized. It includes medical records, police reports, witness statements, and supporting your claim.
Third, familiarize yourself with the courtroom and the trial process. It will help you feel more comfortable on the stand and confidently give your testimony.
Fourth, practice your testimony with your attorney. It will help you feel more prepared and ensure that your story is clear and concise.
Fifth, be prepared for the other side to try to discredit you. The other side may try to attack your character or question your credibility. If this happens, remain calm and confident in your testimony.
Contact Us At San Gabriel Valley Personal Injury Attorneys. It would be best to keep a few things in mind if your personal injury claim goes to trial. An accomplished personal injury lawyer is crucial to have at your side. You can navigate the legal system with the help of a personal injury lawyer, who will also see to it that your rights are upheld. Contact us at 626-602-9483 at San Gabriel Valley Personal Injury Attorneys if you need help with your personal injury claim.