Personal injury cases are the only type of cases we handle, and some of our lawyers have been handling them for over 15 years. Needless to say, we have a lot of experience in getting money compensation for our cases. Although some cases ultimately need to get tried to a jury, the vast majority are resolved or settled before we get to that point. Here are some of the ways we get cases done before trial.
Old-school negotiation. Sometimes dealing directly with the at-fault party or his or her insurance carrier is the best way to get a vase settled. Whether the parties negotiate by letter or email, or even by phone, simpler cases with lower stakes are sometimes best suited for simple back-and-forth negotiation.
Mediation. This is where the parties meet with a neutral mediator and try to hash out a settlement agreement. It usually takes place in one day and the parties usually meet in one place in person, though in the age of COVID that is more often done virtually. It's not mandatory and the parties are not required to settle their case. But, because of the neutral mediator, it is often the best opportunity to settle a case.
Arbitration. This is where the parties meet with an arbitrator who makes a decision on who wins the case and how much money is owed. It’s similar to a judge-tried case, but the judge is a neutral arbitrator usually picked by the parties. It is usually binding. The parties present evidence and testimony to the arbitrators and then the arbitrators make a decision. It's unlike a trial in that the strict rules of evidence don’t apply.
These are but a few of the ways we have used in our practice to resolve personal injury cases. If you have questions on settling your case, please feel free to contact us at any time.