When Does a Car Accident Go To Court?

When Does a Car Accident Go To Court?

Did you know that most car accident claims are settled out of court? That’s because insurance companies generally prefer to resolve claims quickly to avoid the cost and uncertainty of a trial.

So, when do car accidents go to court? When negotiations stall or the parties feel that the disadvantages of out-of-court settlements outweigh the benefits, taking the case to court may be the only option to pursue full compensation.

5 Reasons Why a Car Accident Claim Will Go To Court

Most car accident cases follow a clear timeline: First, you file a claim with the insurance company and try to negotiate a fair settlement. If negotiations stall, the case may move to litigation.

So what pushes a case that far? Here are five common reasons why a claim may go to court instead of being resolved through a straightforward insurance settlement.

1. The Insurance Company Won’t Offer a Fair Settlement

Insurance companies may offer an amount that falls far short of the full cost of your medical bills, lost income and other damages. For instance, if your documented losses total $50,000 but the insurer offers only $10,000, that offer may not offer meaningful relief.

You can try to negotiate for a higher offer, but if the insurer consistently refuses to raise it to a reasonable level, filing a lawsuit becomes one of the remaining options.

2. Dispute Over Who Was at Fault

Insurance companies may deny liability if there’s any doubt about who is at fault. Arizona follows a comparative negligence rule, which means even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If the parties can’t agree on who caused the crash, the court can make an impartial decision about who is responsible.

3. The Insurance Company Denies the Claim

Sometimes the insurer will deny the claim, which may happen for a variety of reasons. For example, the insurance company might assert that their driver wasn’t actually responsible, argue that your policy doesn’t cover the accident or even suspect fraud. In such cases, filing a lawsuit may be your best option.

4. The At-Fault Driver Has Insufficient or No Insurance

Many people who were in a car accident file a lawsuit when the at-fault party’s insurance coverage is too low to cover all the damages or the driver has no insurance at all. You might turn to your own uninsured motorist coverage to help cover your bills, but if that’s not available or still isn’t enough, a personal injury lawyer can explore additional legal options and help you pursue compensation through the court system.

5. Disagreement About the Extent of Injuries

Many car accident cases end up in court because the insurer disputes the severity of the injuries or the amount of treatment required. They might question your diagnosis, whether a procedure was necessary or how long your recovery should take. If the insurer undervalues your injuries, you may need a judge or jury to decide what’s fair.

Sargon Law Isn’t Afraid To Take Your Car Accident Claim to Court

When a car accident claim has to go to court, it often means the insurance company refuses to take responsibility or pay what’s fair. Trials can seem intimidating, but sometimes they’re the best path to recover what you’ve truly lost. Having the right team by your side can make all the difference in achieving a fair outcome.

Sargon Law Group understands how overwhelming an accident can be and is ready to guide you every step of the way. They handle everything from negotiations to litigation so that you can focus on healing. Contact the Phoenix car accident attorneys at Sargon Law today for a free consultation and let them help you pursue the compensation you deserve.