Truck Accident Settlements vs. Trials: Which is Better?
A truck accident likely will result in significant losses and damages. You likely will incur high medical bills, sustain life-changing injuries, and miss some work. You may wonder how you are going to pay for your medical expenses, other daily costs, as well as the expense of repairing or replacing your vehicle. You can hold the at-fault parties liable for paying compensation after a crash.
The majority of truck accident cases end in a settlement negotiated before every reaching the courtroom. However, there are times when it is necessary to go to trial to uphold your rights. So, which option is the better one? Below, our San Antonio truck accident attorney explains.
What is a Truck Accident Settlement?
A truck accident settlement is an agreement negotiated between the parties involved in a crash to resolve the issues of liability or responsibility and damages (how much they should pay) without going to trial. Some of the advantages of a truck accident settlement are as follows:
- Truck accident settlements typically result in a faster resolution than truck accident trials. This provides accident victims with the compensation they need to pay medical bills and other expenses more quickly.
- Settlements are usually more cost-efficient because case expenses can increase significantly when taking a case through trial (for example, expert witnesses would have to be paid for their time and work to testify at trial).
- In a settlement agreement, both parties agree to the amount of compensation, which eliminates unpredictable decisions made by a jury and offers a more predictable outcome.
Although truck accident settlements have many benefits, they are not always the best option. They have drawbacks, as well, and these include:
- Insurance companies may offer a settlement that is lower than the damages awarded in court. This is particularly true when a case involves serious injuries or extensive losses.
- Settlement agreements do not require liable parties to admit fault. This may not be satisfactory for victims who are seeking closure.
What is a Truck Accident Trial?
A truck accident trial requires taking the case to court. Each side will have the opportunity to present evidence, including witnesses, and argue their case before a jury who makes the final decision. Just like a truck accident settlement, a trial has many benefits. These are as follows:
- The jury sometimes award higher damages than what is offered in settlements. This is particularly true if the conduct of the defendant was egregious.
- A trial can place fault on the defendant, which can provide closure for accident victims and prompt a change that prevents future accidents.
There is a reason the majority of truck accident cases result in settlement. It is because trials also have many disadvantages. These include:
- Trials can take months, or even years, to conclude and accident victims cannot recover compensation until the trial and all appeals are resolved.
- There are a number of expenses related to trials that are not involved with settlements. These include higher attorney fees, payments for expert witnesses, and more that make a trial more expensive than a settlement.
- There are no predictable outcomes with a trial because the final decision is left to a judge or jury.
Our Truck Accident Attorney in San Antonio Can Help with Your Case
The majority of truck accident cases do end with a settlement, but this is not always the case. Due to this, it is critical that you work with a San Antonio truck accident attorney who can effectively negotiate, and represent you at trial if needed. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, our experienced attorney has the necessary experience to negotiate a fair settlement and, if required, take your case to jury trial to uphold your rights in court. Call us now at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to get the information you need. All cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, so there are no out-of-pocket or upfront attorney’s fees or costs that you have to pay. Our clients never pay a penny until we win their case.
