Most car accident claims are resolved through negotiation and settlements. Litigation is time-consuming and expensive, and insurance companies and claimants would rather not go through the process of going to court. When the negotiation process breaks down and parties cannot resolve their differences, they may end up before a judge or jury.
Car accident trials in Fresno usually require the assistance of an experienced auto accident attorney. Although you can present your own case (called appearing pro se), appearing before a judge and presenting evidence in the most beneficial way is best handled by someone who has done it before. The auto accident attorneys at Dunnion Law have been representing their clients since 1975, and we can give your case the attention it needs.
An auto accident trial in Fresno may start during the settlement process. At some point, the insurance company made an offer that is too low, and you and your attorney refused to accept it. When this happens, the trial process begins. Only about three to five percent of all personal injury cases ever reach a courtroom. Some attorneys will settle a case the day a trial is set to begin.
Your attorney will file a formal complaint and have it served on the defendant. They must answer within 30 days.
The discovery process is the longest part of a trial. Both sides must exchange evidence, answer lists of questions called “interrogatories,” and call witnesses for depositions.
During the trial process, the judge may order “status conferences.” These are check-ins with the court to ensure that all parties are moving forward with the case
The judge may also require mediation, where the parties sit down with a neutral third party in an effort to reach a solution before entering the courtroom.
Once a car accident trial begins in Fresno, it is strongly recommended you have an attorney. Trials have fixed deadlines for production of documents, hearing dates, and status conferences. If you miss any of these, the other side can move for a dismissal of the case.
An attorney at Dunnion Law will keep track of the deadlines and dates and ensure that you are present in court when you need to be. We will have all the evidence prepared for the judge and for the opposing counsel in the way it needs to be presented. We also continue negotiating until the day of trial. Many people assume that once the trial preparations begin, negotiation stops. A good attorney never ceases negotiations until it is time for the verdict in the case.
Jury trials can be unpredictable. Insurance companies would rather settle out of court than take a case to trial and face a large payout from a sympathetic jury. An attorney can get your case ready for trial and help ensure it never reaches that stage.
At Dunnion Law, we have been fighting for our clients for more than 50 years. We want to see you get the compensation you need for your injuries and damages after an accident. When we take your case, you have the full attention of our legal team behind you.
We work on a compensation fee basis, so you pay us nothing until we settle or win your case. Your initial consultation and case review is free. Call us today to learn more about car accident trials in Fresno.
