When Does a Car Accident Go to Court?

When a car accident goes to court depends on several factors. In most cases, both parties will reach a settlement before going to court. If neither side can agree on a settlement, the case may go to trial. 

Settlement negotiations are extremely complex. A reputable Phoenix car accident lawyer like those at Gage Mathers can help! We’ll work with the insurance companies to ensure you receive the money you need after your accident. If the insurance company decides to play hardball, however, going to trial may be the next step. 

Immediate Aftermath

In cases of serious injury, the care a victim needs can be extremely expensive. Large copays and balances are often due immediately, putting the victim in a financial hole from the start. 

The first step is contacting the insurance companies to recover payment for your bills. Victims often find themselves overwhelmed with making endless phone calls, keeping track of bills, and filing insurance document after document. 

In the end, this can lead to lower settlements and the victim not receiving money for things like future medical treatments. Qualified legal help is often needed. 

Time for an Attorney

When to get an attorney for a car accident is a personal choice. However, serious accident victims should contact a car accident attorney right away.

Attorneys are very familiar with how insurance companies operate–we know that their only goal is to pay as little as possible. A qualified attorney can take over and deal directly with insurance companies on your behalf. 

The best path forward is usually to attempt to settle out of court, as this saves valuable time and money for everyone involved. Courtroom trials may be lengthy and emotionally difficult. 

When Negotiations Break Down

It may come down to who the insurance company believes is at fault, dollar amounts, or fine print. Whatever the reason, sometimes, a trial is the only option. Taking a case to court is a high-stakes affair, and having an experienced attorney is crucial. 

Your attorney will formally file a lawsuit on your behalf. Next, they’ll begin preparing for trial. This can include pre-trial motions and courtroom hearings before the actual trial starts. 

Eventually, a trial date will be set. Courts are often busy, so you can typically expect a trial date to be weeks or months in the future. Your attorney will advise you on any steps that need to be taken. 

With the right attorney and evidence on your side, a case is winnable. Lawyers can also often extract higher settlements from insurance companies. They may be able to argue for additional money due to pain and suffering or future medical bills. 

Amounts might be so large that people will wonder if car accident settlements are taxable. The answer depends on individual circumstances. Always speak with a qualified tax attorney or financial advisor if you receive a large sum of money.

The Help You Need

Here at Gage Mathers, we treat each of our clients like family. We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements for our clients. Trust us with your case so that you can take care of yourself and your loved ones!

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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