How Long Does a Car Accident Trial Last?

How long a car accident trial lasts depends on several factors. A trial can last from a single day to weeks. Trial by a judge or jury, evidence presentation, and legal strategies can all influence how long a trial lasts. Ultimately, a trial ends when both sides rest their case and a jury or judge decides the verdict.

Car accident trials are complex. Having a professional Phoenix car accident lawyer from Gage Mathers on your side can make all the difference. Ultimately, the goal is to settle without going to court–but sometimes, a trial is the only option. 

A Long Road to Trial

Arriving at a trial date takes a long time. This is due to the back-and-forth nature of pre-trial negotiations. Trials are costly for everyone involved, so lawyers will often attempt to settle without going to trial. 

If both sides cannot agree on a reasonable settlement or there are other disagreements, the case may proceed to trial. If the court has a busy schedule, the trial date can be several weeks or months away. 

Judge or Jury?

There are two types of trials: trial by judge and trial by jury. The attorneys will decide which is best for each individual case. A trial by a judge is normally quicker; jury trials take longer due to the jury selection process. 

Furthermore, the people on the jury are ordinary citizens. This means some legal concepts may take additional time to explain to a jury compared to a judge who is already familiar with relevant laws. All of this adds to the length of the trial. 

The Trial

Trials begin with opening statements by both sides. Next, they move on to evidence presentation. Evidence doesn’t only involve photos, videos, and objects–witnesses are also evidence. People who were at the scene of the accident may be called to testify about what happened. 

Clients often ask about how to dispute car accident fault; this is where expert witnesses can be helpful. For example, an automotive expert might testify that a car involved in the accident had a known issue that caused the crash. Testimony like this can change the trial outcome dramatically by proving the person driving was not at fault. 

All of these steps take time, and there can be delays during the trial if one side needs additional time. After both sides present their evidence, the court will hear closing arguments. Then, it is up to the judge or jury to decide. 

From start to finish, a trial might last a single day, several weeks, or more. Every situation is unique, and a qualified attorney can guide you on the best course of action. 

After the Trial

A trial may not be the end of the journey. If large amounts of money are involved, cases may be appealed to a higher court. If no appeal is filed, the case is closed, and the losing side must pay whatever amount the court has decided. 

Just because an appeal is filed doesn’t automatically mean a second trial will take place. Appeals courts will only hear an appeal if there is good reason, such as additional evidence has been uncovered. If the appeal is accepted, the court will hear arguments and make a decision to leave the original decision in place, modify it, or call for a new trial. 

The Right Attorney Is Crucial

At Gage Mathers, we’ve assisted Phoenix car accident victims for more than fifty years. Every client is treated like family from the moment they walk in the door. 

We understand that trials can be long and stressful, so we do everything in our power to ensure that settlement negotiations and trials move swiftly. This way, you can get the money you deserve as quickly as possible!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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