Many clients are eager to understand how their personal injury case will end. There’s no way to predict the future or guarantee that a case will end favorably for the plaintiff, but there are only a handful of ways that a personal injury claim can be resolved. Here are the possible outcomes of a personal injury case:
The Case is Dropped
The injured party has the right to change his mind and drop the case at any time. Personal injury victims drop cases for many reasons. For example, the victim may realize that the case is not worth pursuing after learning he won’t be able to recover much compensation. If the case is dropped, the victim will not be awarded compensation.
The Case is Settled
About 95% of personal injury cases will end with a settlement that is negotiated out of the courtroom. By accepting a settlement, the victim agrees to no longer take legal action against the defendant for his injuries. In exchange for dropping the lawsuit, the defendant will compensate the victim for his medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The Plaintiff Wins At Trial
A personal injury claim will only go to trial if both parties cannot reach a settlement agreement outside of court. During the trial, both sides will have an opportunity to present their case to the judge and jury. The jury will get to decide whether or not the plaintiff deserves to be compensated after hearing both sides of the story. If the plaintiff wins, he will be compensated by the defendant for his injuries.
The Defendant Wins At Trial
Plaintiffs do not always win during personal injury trials. In some cases, the jury will decide that the defendant should not have to compensate the plaintiff. This may occur if the jury believes the defendant was not negligent or the plaintiff was to blame for the accident.
If the defendant wins, he will not have to compensate the plaintiff. He can also ask the plaintiff to cover his legal expenses, including his attorney’s fees, expert witness fees, and court filing fees.
It’s important to note that a trial verdict can be appealed. This means the defendant can appeal the court’s decision if the plaintiff wins and the plaintiff can appeal the court’s decision if the defendant wins. If this happens, the personal injury case would end with a verdict in appellate court.
If you have been injured, seek legal representation from a personal injury attorney at Reisch Law Firm at once. Our personal injury attorneys will fight tirelessly to reach the best possible outcome in your case. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
