After a serious car accident, filing an insurance claim may be only the beginning. If another driver caused the crash, you may eventually face an important question: Should you accept a settlement or take your car accident case to trial?
Most personal injury cases resolve without a jury trial, but that doesn’t mean accepting whatever the insurance company offers. A fair settlement should account for the full impact of your injuries. When an insurer disputes responsibility, minimizes your damages, or refuses to make a reasonable offer, proceeding toward trial may be necessary.
There is no single right choice for every car accident victim. Understanding the differences can help you make an informed decision with your attorney.
What Is a Car Accident Settlement?
A settlement is an agreement to resolve your personal injury claim without having a jury decide the outcome. Typically, the insurance company agrees to pay an amount in exchange for the injured person releasing the claim.
Settlement negotiations can happen before or after a lawsuit is filed. In fact, a case can settle even after significant trial preparation has taken place.
The timing matters. Once you accept a settlement and release your claim, you generally cannot return later for additional compensation if your injuries prove more serious or expensive than expected.
What Are the Advantages of Settling a Car Accident Case?
A settlement provides greater certainty than a jury trial. Both sides know how much will be paid rather than leaving the outcome to a jury. Settlement can also resolve a case sooner and avoid some of the time, expense, and stress associated with trial.
Those advantages don’t necessarily make settlement the best choice. Resolving a case quickly isn’t beneficial if it means accepting substantially less compensation than your injuries and losses justify.
How Is a Fair Car Accident Settlement Determined?
Determining whether a settlement is reasonable requires understanding what the car accident has actually cost you. Depending on the case, compensation may account for:
- Medical expenses and anticipated future treatment
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Other accident-related losses
Future losses can be especially important after a severe injury. If you will need ongoing treatment or cannot return to the same work, the financial impact may continue long after the settlement is paid.
When Might a Car Accident Case Go to Trial?
A car accident case may proceed toward trial when the parties cannot agree on a fair resolution.
Sometimes the dispute involves fault. The insurance company may argue that its insured didn’t cause the crash or that the injured person shares responsibility. Other disputes involve the severity of the injuries, necessity of medical treatment, lost income, or the amount of compensation appropriate for long-term harm.
Minnesota’s comparative fault law can also affect a case. An injured person may generally recover when their fault is not greater than the fault of the person from whom they seek recovery, although their damages are reduced according to their percentage of fault.
When significant disagreements cannot be resolved through negotiation, a jury may ultimately decide fault and damages.
What Happens During a Minnesota Car Accident Trial?
At trial, each side presents evidence and arguments. Depending on the case, that evidence may include photographs or video, witness testimony, medical records, testimony from healthcare providers, employment records, and other information showing how the accident occurred and affected the injured person.
The jury then determines disputed issues, which may include who caused the accident and how much compensation should be awarded.
Going to trial does not guarantee a larger recovery. Jury verdicts involve uncertainty, which must be weighed against the amount and certainty of a settlement offer.
Should You Settle or Take Your Car Accident Case to Trial?
The decision depends on the facts of your case. Some important considerations include the strength of the evidence, whether fault is disputed, the severity and long-term effects of your injuries, future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and how the settlement offer compares with the potential risks and benefits of trial.
Your Minnesota car accident attorney should explain the strengths and weaknesses of your case and advise you about whether an offer is reasonable. The ultimate decision whether to accept a settlement belongs to you.
Filing a lawsuit also doesn’t mean you have committed to a trial. Settlement negotiations can continue throughout litigation, and many cases resolve after the parties obtain additional evidence through the discovery process.
Talk to a Minnesota Car Accident Attorney About Your Options
You don’t need to decide between settlement and trial immediately after an accident. A strong personal injury claim begins with investigating what happened, documenting your injuries and losses, identifying available insurance coverage, and evaluating the evidence.
At Sieben Edmunds Miller, our Minnesota car accident attorneys help injured people evaluate settlement offers, negotiate with insurance companies, and prepare cases for trial when a fair resolution cannot be reached.
If you were injured in a Minnesota car accident and have questions about a settlement offer or your legal options, contact our team for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Settlements and Trials in Minnesota
Is it better to settle a car accident claim or go to trial?
Neither option is always better. Settlement offers greater certainty and can resolve a case sooner, while trial may be appropriate when an insurance company will not offer fair compensation. The strength of the evidence, amount offered, severity of the injuries, and risks of trial should all be considered.
How long does a car accident settlement take in Minnesota?
There is no standard timeline. Cases involving clear fault and relatively straightforward injuries may resolve sooner, while claims involving serious injuries, disputed liability, multiple parties, or significant future damages can take longer. It is often important to understand the long-term effects of an injury before agreeing to a final settlement.
Can I reject a car accident settlement offer?
Yes. You are not required to accept an insurance company’s settlement offer. Your attorney can explain whether an offer reasonably reflects your damages and negotiate for additional compensation when appropriate.
Can a car accident case settle after a lawsuit is filed?
Yes. Filing a lawsuit does not prevent settlement. Negotiations can continue during litigation, and a case may settle before trial if the parties reach an agreement.
Who decides whether my car accident case goes to trial?
You ultimately decide whether to accept or reject a settlement offer after consulting with your attorney. Your lawyer can recommend a course of action and explain the potential risks and benefits, but the decision to settle belongs to you.
What happens if I lose a car accident trial?
If the jury finds that you are not entitled to recover damages, you may receive no compensation through the lawsuit. Trial always involves some uncertainty, which is one reason the risks of proceeding to trial should be carefully compared with any settlement offer on the table.
