After a personal injury in Mobile, Alabama, you may know that you need to file a claim to get compensation for your medical costs and other damages. What you may not know is that your personal injury case could end in one of two ways: through a settlement agreement or a court verdict. Below, you can learn more about settlements and trial verdicts and the different outcomes you might get as a result. 

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, our experienced personal injury lawyers in Mobile are always ready to go to trial. While injury cases often settle, it is important to recognize that not every lawyer is prepared to go to court, and we will explain below why this matters to your case. 

Did you suffer a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence? Call our trusted law firm today. During a free, no-risk consultation, we can discuss potential legal options. 

Schedule your free initial consultation today: 251-888-8888  

What Is an Injury Settlement and When Is It Initiated in Alabama? 

An injury settlement is an agreement between you and the at-fault party’s insurance company to resolve your claim without going to court. The agreement comes about through a series of negotiations, usually between your lawyer and the at-fault party’s insurance company.  

In this agreement, you receive a specific amount of money in exchange for releasing the other party from further liability for your injuries. Once you accept a settlement, it becomes binding. This means you cannot pursue additional compensation for the same accident, even if your medical costs increase later. 

The settlement process typically begins after you file a personal injury lawsuit in Alabama. Your attorney will present evidence of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages in a demand letter to the insurance company. The insurance company will then respond with an initial settlement offer. Be aware this first offer usually falls well below the true value of your claim. Settlement negotiations can take weeks or months as both sides exchange offers and counteroffers.  

When Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys represent you, we work hard to maximize your compensation. The insurance company, however, will want to reduce its liability and will therefore try to pay as little on your claim as possible. 

Most personal injury cases in Mobile County resolve through settlement, but if both sides cannot reach a fair agreement, a case may go to trial. 

How Is a Settlement Different From Going to Trial? 

Settlements and trials represent two completely different approaches to resolving your personal injury claim in Mobile. While both aim to secure compensation for your injuries, they differ significantly in process, timeline, costs, and potential outcomes. Understanding these distinctions helps you make informed decisions about your case as it progresses. 

Key Differences Between Settlements and Trials: 

Control Over Outcome: You maintain control in settlements by accepting or rejecting offers, while juries make final decisions in trials that you cannot influence once deliberations begin. 

Evidence Requirements: Settlements rely on documentation and negotiation between attorneys, while trials require live testimony and formal courtroom presentation of evidence before a judge and jury. 

Finality: Settlements end your case immediately upon acceptance with no further legal proceedings, while trial verdicts can face appeals that could extend resolution for months or even years for more complex cases. 

Do All Alabama Injury Cases End Up in Court? 

No, the vast majority of personal injury cases in Alabama never reach a courtroom. Statistics show that most personal injury claims settle through negotiations between attorneys and insurance companies before a trial ever becomes necessary.  

Most insurance companies and victims prefer to settle cases for several reasons, including: 

• Agreeing to a settlement allows them to have more control over the costs 

• Helps Insurance companies avoid unpredictable jury verdicts 

• Resolves claims without the expense and time commitment of lengthy court proceedings 

• Settlements Do not become public record, which benefits both the company and the victim 

• Settlements are less intimidating for victims 

• Victims will get some amount of compensation – there is no guarantee of that in a trial 

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we want to be clear that we often push for a trial. Our objective is to ensure our clients recover maximum compensation for their damages, avoiding the low settlements typically offered by insurance companies. 

How Does Going to Trial Work in Mobile County Courts? 

When settlement negotiations fail and your personal injury case proceeds to trial in Mobile County, the process is a more complex path to compensation involving several distinct phases that can take months to complete. The trial process in Alabama follows specific procedures designed to ensure both sides receive a fair hearing before a judge and jury. 

The Trial Process in Mobile County Courts: 

• Pre-Trial Procedures: Both sides complete discovery, take depositions from witnesses, and file motions with the court to resolve legal issues before trial begins. 

• Jury Selection Process: Attorneys question potential jurors to select twelve individuals who will decide your case based on the evidence presented during trial. 

• Opening Statements: Your attorney and the defense attorney each present their version of events and outline what they expect the evidence to prove. 

• Presentation of Evidence: Both sides call witnesses, introduce medical records, and present physical evidence to support their arguments about liability and damages. 

• Closing Arguments: Attorneys summarize the evidence and make final appeals to the jury about why their client should prevail. 

• Jury Deliberation and Verdict: The jury reviews evidence privately and renders a decision on whether you should receive compensation and the amount you deserve. 

• Post-Trial Procedures: After a verdict, you still have to collect any awarded compensation, and the losing party may file appeals that further delay final resolution of your case. 

Why Choose an Injury Lawyer Who Is Always Prepared to Go to Trial 

Insurance companies pay closer attention to attorneys who have proven courtroom experience and the resources to take cases to trial. When insurance adjusters know your lawyer will not hesitate to present your case before a Mobile County jury, they typically offer higher settlement amounts to avoid the unpredictability and expense of trial proceedings. Attorneys who rarely or never go to trial often receive lower settlement offers because insurance companies know these lawyers will likely accept whatever amount is offered. 

• Stronger Negotiation Position: Insurance companies respect attorneys with courtroom experience and offer better settlements to avoid facing them in trial. 

• Thorough Case Preparation: Trial-ready lawyers investigate every aspect of your case, gather compelling evidence, and build strong arguments that benefit both settlement negotiations and potential courtroom presentation. 

• Resource Investment: Serious trial preparation requires significant financial resources for expert witnesses, medical testimony, and case development that not all law firms can provide. 

• Proven Courtroom Skills: Experienced trial attorneys know how to present evidence effectively, cross-examine witnesses, and communicate persuasively with Mobile County juries. 

• No Fear of Insurance Tactics: Trial-experienced lawyers do not cave to insurance company pressure tactics or accept inadequate offers because they know they can win fair compensation in court. 

• Complete Case Development: Attorneys who prepare for trial gather stronger evidence, obtain better medical documentation, and build more compelling cases that increase settlement values. 

How Long Do Personal Injury Settlements Take Compared to Trials in Alabama? 

The length of cases resolved through a personal injury settlement varies significantly based on several factors, including the complexity of your case and severity of your injuries. Simple cases with clear liability and straightforward injuries typically resolve much faster than complex cases. Multiple parties and disputed circumstances can cause some cases to take longer to conclude.  

Court cases generally take much longer to resolve than settlements. Again, the overall length of a trial varies from case-to-case, depending on the strength of your evidence, complexity of your case, court schedules, and unexpected delays. The lawsuit process has several steps, like gathering evidence or filing legal requests, all of which can lead to delays throughout the case. 

What Are the Financial and Strategic Benefits of Settlement and Trial Cases? 

Settlement and verdict cases both offer different benefits to victims. Below are some of the reasons why some individual may accept a final settlement offer versus taking their case to trial. 

Why Some Victims Choose To Settle 

Besides the obvious benefit of faster financial relief when medical bills are mounting, there are some other key reasons why victims may choose to accept a final settlement offer. 

• Mounting medical bills and loss of income if unable to work while recovering 

• Intimidated by the idea of going to court – no one really wants to go to trial, least of all a victim.  

• Increased costs of a trial versus resolving a case through a settlement 

• Guaranteed compensation versus the unknown outcome of a trial. 

• Having their court case become public record – this is a deal breaker for some who want to keep personal details private. 

When a Trial Makes Strategic Sense 

Strategically, if your attorney is known for always being prepared to go to court and often wins substantial verdicts, making a trial date may benefit you. Often this situation can be the added leverage needed to get the liable insurance company to come back with a reasonable offer.  

There are many negative aspects for the liable party and insurance company that they may also want to avoid: 

• Public record of a courtroom case  

• Costs associated with a trial 

• Strong evidence uncovered during trial preparation that may lead to a significantly higher outcome – a cost that falls to the insurance company. 

From the victim’s perspective, the decision to go trial is often because the final settlement offer is so low that it will not come close to covering damages. 

Alabama Laws That Impact Your Settlement and Verdict Options 

If you contributed to your accident in any way, you are unfortunately barred from seeking any compensation at all for your damages. Being even one percent to blame for the incident that injured you fully eliminates your ability to recover compensation. Alabama is one of only four states with this unforgiving standard. 

This rule gives ample motivation for insurance companies to actively search for ways to shift some of the blame to you. Insurance adjusters are trained to search cell phone records, social media accounts, driving history, and other evidence to look for that one percent.  

Why Hire Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys After a Personal Injury in Mobile, Alabama? 

Whether your case settles or progresses to a trial, you are in good hands with our knowledgeable legal team. We always prepare to go to court, and we have another advantage other lawyers in Alabama do not have – even those willing to go to trial. 

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we are the only law firm in the state to have a mock courtroom, giving us the ability to provide our clients with a realistic courtroom experience. This facility enables us to effectively prepare our clients for their case before they go to trial. We find this advanced preparation in a courtroom environment gives our clients more confidence.  

Injured in Mobile, Alabama? Call Our Trusted Law Firm Today 

At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we have a proven history of success, and we work hard to get you the compensation you need.   

Not sure if you have a case? Call our law offices today to tell us more about your situation. We welcome your questions and can help you understand your legal options. When we represent you, there are no upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees. If we don’t win, we don’t get a dime. 

Call Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys today – and remember, “Andy wins for you!” 251-888-8888