Most Wyoming personal injury lawyers seek to settle cases out of court. This stems from prudence rather than indolence. Settling out of court can provide a number of benefits over litigating a case to the often bitter end. If you need convincing, simply read on. We’re about to discuss those benefits in detail.
5 Reasons Not to Take a Company to Court With a Wyoming Personal Injury Lawyer
Litigation Is Expensive
Fees are an inevitable part of any legal claim. But trials become increasingly more expensive with each passing day – much more expensive than settling out of court. Among the most notable fees are those paid to expert witnesses. In a simple case, expert witness bills can add up to several thousand dollars. In more complex cases, the fees charged can total tens of thousands of dollars.
But expert witnesses comprise only a portion of the monies that must be paid to litigate a case. 3. Trials Are Risky Business
A statistic is often touted in the legal world, and it is this: of the mere 5% of U.S. personal injury cases that go to trial, more than 90% of them end up losing. There simply is no guarantee once a case enters the courtroom. The judge might exclude key evidence, eyewitnesses might behave unreliably, and testimonies might be perceived as inconsistent.
Although today’s legal system is intended to eliminate surprises from the trial process, the system is not yet administrative fees for copying and transcribing, court filing fees, and travel costs for witnesses can also quickly mount. Don’t forget your personal injury lawyer in Wyoming must also be paid.
Keep Costs in Check
Settlements, on the other hand, generally keep fees to a minimum. These proceedings move more quickly than court cases and require less preparation. It’s also unlikely that a settlement will need testimonies from expert witnesses.
Stress Can Interfere With Your Recovery
Most personal injury trials last only a few days, but the preceding weeks and months can be stressful for everyone involved. As the plaintiff, you will likely need to prepare for examination and cross-examination on the witness stand. You may even have your character publicly scrutinized. Throughout the process, you must wait to see if the court decides in your favor.
Such stress can take a toll on your health, especially as your continue to recover from the accident. What you should be focused on during this time is self-care. This includes eating nutritious meals, staying social, getting enough sleep, and regularly exercising. If you don’t pay attention to your health, your accident recovery may be derailed.
foolproof. Even more unpredictable than proving liability is guessing what the jury will award a victorious plaintiff.
Protecting Your Rights
The facts and figures of an out-of-court settlement are far more controllable. This means you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into before you accept an offer. And if the settlement offer doesn’t at first match the value of your case, your attorney will continue advocating on your behalf.
Settlements Remain Private
Keeping your case out of court affords you greater control over what information remains private and what is released to the public. This includes the details of your settlement, such as the amount of compensation you received and the exact nature of the accident.
Going to court, on the other hand, opens your trial to the public and public record. The only protection from this scrutiny is an order from the judge that seals the records, and that rarely happens in a personal injury case. In turn, all evidence, witness testimonies, and arguments presented by each side will be made available for anyone to read.
Trials Can Take Years to Finalize
The courts of our nation move slowly because they’re inundated with a variety of cases. This makes it very likely that your trial will not begin until about a year after the initial lawsuit is filed. And even if the court rules in your favor, the defendant can delay any compensation owed to you by appealing the outcome.
Even with a relatively simple case, the entire legal process – from filing the lawsuit to receiving damages awarded at trial – can take three or four years to resolve. This includes any appeals you or the defendant might file. If your case is complex with multiple parties or severe injuries involved, you can expect an even lower resolution.
Eliminate the Guesswork
With a settlement, however, you know exactly how much money you will receive and the approximate date of when the case will be closed. You can look forward to putting the matter behind you much more quickly.
Court trials move slowly, garner the eyes of the public, and offer no guarantees. They’re also expensive and stressful – two traits that most accident victims strive to avoid at all costs. Settlements work in the reverse so you and your family can move forward with your lives and focus on your recovery.