Your Legal Options after a Car Accident
If you are involved in a motor vehicle collision that was caused by another driver’s negligence, there are several legal options that may be open to you. First, you may have the option of settling your case with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Secondly, you may decide to litigate your case in the state court system. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company does not offer you favorable settlement money, you may opt to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial or pursue some form of alternative dispute resolution.
The North Carolina personal injury lawyers at King Law Firm can help you decide on the best legal option for you and your personal injury case. Please give us a call today to learn more about how we can assist you throughout your personal injury legal matter.
Settling Your Car Accident Case
One legal option that you may have a following your motor vehicle accident is to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Once you file your claim, you or your lawyer will submit a demand package to the insurance company that includes all of your medical records and bills. The adjuster assigned to your case will then make a settlement offer.
It is important to keep in mind that most initial settlement offers from insurance companies are low. Consequently, it may take several rounds of negotiation before the insurance company’s adjuster makes an offer that is both reasonable and acceptable.
Filing Suit and Litigating Your Case in the State Court System
If the insurance company does not offer you a reasonable amount of money to settle your car accident case, you may decide to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver and litigate your case in the state court system. However, just because you file suit against the responsible driver does not necessarily mean that your case will go all the way to trial. In fact, the vast majority of car accident personal injury cases are settled long before trial.
If you and your lawyer ultimately decide to take your case to trial, a jury will decide what if any damages you are entitled to as a result of the injuries which you suffered in your car accident.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Instead of going to trial, you and the at-fault driver’s insurance company may decide to pursue alternative dispute resolution. There are several types of alternative dispute resolution worth mentioning. First, you may decide to mediate your case before a neutral, third-party mediator. The mediator will work with both sides to help the parties try and reach a favorable resolution to the case.
As an alternative, the parties may decide to arbitrate the case in front of a neutral, third-party arbitrator. The parties will present their case before the arbitrator, just as if they were in trial, and the arbitrator will make either a binding or non-binding decision about the damages (both economic and noneconomic damages) to which the accident victim is entitled.
Speak to a North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer Today
At the King Law Firm, our knowledgeable legal team can help you decide on the best course of action for your personal injury case. To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with an experienced North Carolina personal injury attorney, please call us at (855) 206-0052 or contact us online today.