If you were injured in an accident that occurred because of someone else's reckless or negligent behavior, there are typically two ways to pursue compensation from the at-fault party: You can either file a civil lawsuit in order to collect damages or accept a settlement without going to court. Though a civil lawsuit may ultimately result in more money for the plaintiff, the majority of personal-injury cases typically settle well before going to trial and often before the plaintiff even files a lawsuit.
If you sustained injuries in an accident that was not your fault and have to pay costly medical bills or miss work as a result, we may be able to help. Jaroslawicz & Jaros PLLC has handled personal-injury claims since 1980, and we have recovered more than $2 billion in damages for clients in that time. Call us today at 212.227.2780 to speak to a personal-injury attorney in New York City, and read on for three common reasons why defendants settle:
- The defendant can control risk and avoid court costs.
If it is evident that the defendant is responsible for the accident, then he or she will likely be wary of going in front of a sympathetic jury. By offering a lucrative settlement deal, though, the defendant can avert some risk and avoid the cost of going to court.
- The defendant can keep the case out of the public eye.
If the defendant is a large corporation that sells goods or services, its net worth depends on how consumers view it. A lengthy trial could result in bad press, and many defendants settle quietly in an attempt to keep the media at bay, especially if a defective product caused the accident.
- A settlement guarantees the plaintiff at least some compensation.
Even with damning evidence, there is no way to be certain how a trial will end. When it comes to a settlement, though, the plaintiff will receive at least some compensation for his or her injuries. Even though it might seem like settling provides defendants with most of the benefits, The New York Times reports on a study that found settling is often better than going to trial for all parties involved. Surprisingly, most of the plaintiffs in the study who passed up settlement offers and proceeded to go to trial actually ended up getting less money than they would have if they had taken the original offer. If you are unsure if you should settle your case, an experienced personal-injury lawyer may be able to help. At Jaroslawicz & Jaros, we have been defending the rights of injured individuals for more than 30 years. We provide all of our clients with the personal attention and care that their case deserves, and you can be sure we will work with you directly rather than pass your case off to a paralegal. If you sustained injuries in an accident that was not your fault, call us today at 212.227.2780 and arrange a free initial consultation.
