If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident that could and
should have been preventable if not for the negligence of another, you
have the right to pursue a recovery of your damages by filing a personal
injury claim. Personal injury cases enable you to hold the party who caused
your accident and injuries liable for any damages that resulted from the
incident, which commonly includes medical bills, lost work wages, and
pain and suffering, among others.
While all personal injury claims are hinged on proving that the at-fault
party in an accident was negligent, and that their negligence “more
likely than not” caused a victim to suffer injuries, how it is resolved
will vary from case to case. When resolved successfully, a personal injury
case may conclude with a settlement or a verdict following the filing
of a lawsuit.
At Shrager & Sachs, our legal team has recovered millions of
dollars in both settlements and verdicts for injured victims and families.
Because we leverage decades of combined experience, we are able to pursue
the best resolution possible, no matter the course a case takes. This
includes advocating aggressively on behalf of our clients during settlement
negotiations or when filing a lawsuit:
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Settlement – The majority of personal injury cases filed in America are resolved
through a settlement, which is an agreement made between a victim and
the at-fault party outside of the courtroom. Settlements are ideal in
many cases, for both plaintiffs and defendants, because they can save
a considerable amount of time and expenses that come with having to go
to trial. However, settlements are typically only reached when there is
clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is at fault. If an insurance
company learns through investigation that their driver ran a red light
and caused an accident, for example, they would be more inclined to make
a settlement rather than take a losing case to trial. In some cases, insurers
and other defendants may wish to settle simply to avoid the costs of litigation,
or even to avoid the risk of a jury awarding a substantial compensation
award to victims. Settlements can be reached at various times during the
personal injury claim process, including before and after a lawsuit has
been filed.
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Lawsuit – When insurance companies or other defendants contest a victim’s
case, refuse to pay, or make settlement offers that don’t amount
to what victims truly deserve, a lawsuit may be the next necessary step
in a personal injury case. By filing a lawsuit, victims set into motion
the beginning of the trial process. While some lawsuits can result in
settlements prior to the trial date, others are litigated in court. These
trials enable both plaintiffs and defendants to present their sides of
the story and supporting evidence to a jury, or in some cases a judge,
who will then determine if the defendant is liable for the victim’s
damages, as well as how much to award the victim. Lawsuits and litigation
require extensive work, preparation, and resources, which is why many
personal injury cases never reach the trial phase. In some cases, however,
it may be necessary in order to ensure full and fair compensation is obtained.
Whether your case is best resolved through a settlement or lawsuit that
necessitates a trial will depend entirely on the unique facts and circumstances
involved in your accident, as well as how an insurance company or liable
defendant chooses to handle your case. In the many cases we have handled
over the years, our proven trial attorneys took cases to trial when insurance
companies disputed fault, denied liability, or simply did not make settlement
offers that our clients deserved.
View some of our notable
verdicts and settlements!
The personal injury claim process is filled with moving parts, and it can
be difficult to predict how any case will end up, or what will happen
along the way. As such, it is crucial for victims to work with experienced
attorneys who have proven success when negotiating settlements out of
court and litigating at trial. This is especially true when insurance
companies aim to pay as little as possible.
At Shrager & Sachs, we find that due to our reputation as tough
trial lawyers, defendants and insurance companies often wish to settle
cases. Still, litigation can and does happen, which is why we always prepare
for trial in every case we handle. When the facts and arguments are on
our side, we put our clients in a strong position to recover what they deserve.
If you would like to discuss the facts of your case personally with a Philadelphia
personal injury attorney from our firm,
contact us today for a free consultation.