Oklahoma Personal Injury Law Library TOPIC: Resolving Your Personal Injury Case

When most people think about personal injury cases, they immediately think of a trial by jury. However, this is just one of the ways your personal injury case may be handled. Your claim may also be resolved with a settlement, through arbitration, or by trial with a judge.

Settlement

A settlement occurs when the at-fault party or their insurance company makes you an offer and you accept it. Oftentimes, the first offer is the lowest the insurance company will make, but you will receive the money more quickly and will pay fewer court costs. You may actually get several different settlement offers at various points, depending on how the other party’s lawyers perceive your odds of success as well as other possible damage they may suffer as a result of a trial, such as having trade secrets exposed in public testimony.

Arbitration

Arbitration occurs when both parties explain their side of the accident to an arbitrator who helps resolve the situation. The downside is that sometimes an arbitrator can be prejudiced–they are often hired repeatedly by a particular insurance company and tend to show loyalty to their employer– which may prevent you from receiving a fair amount of damages.

Trial

If a jury hears your case, they are more likely to be receptive to the human aspects of your case, such as pain and suffering or financial distress. If your case is complex or contains arguments that are technical in nature, a trial before a judge may be ideal.

If you have been injured in an accident due to another person’s negligence, please contact Self & Associates in Oklahoma City today to learn more about your legal options and which might be best for recovering the money you deserve.