When Does a Car Accident Case Go to Trial?

The majority of claims related to Kansas City car accident injuries are resolved without it becoming necessary to file a lawsuit. Even if a lawsuit is filed, most end in settlement agreements before the case goes to trial if your attorney and the insurance company involved can agree on a fair amount to compensate you for your injuries. This means it’s unlikely your case will end up before a judge or jury, but it’s also true that not all cases settle. Your car accident claim may need to go to trial in situations where:

Your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement,
The parties involved cannot agree on how the accident occurred or who was at fault, and
The insurance company won’t pay more money to cover your damages even after negotiating with your Los Angeles car accident attorney.

Remember that insurance companies want to minimize the amount, if any, they pay for claims. As a for-profit business, they’re just concerned with the bottom line. If they act unreasonably, deny your claim, or try to low-ball you and avoid paying the full value of your claim, a trial may be advisable.

Jury Trials vs. Bench Trials

If you file a civil lawsuit to recover for your Kansas City car accident injuries, you have a right to a jury trial. The jury is the official factfinder at trial, which means if you and the other party can’t agree on how the accident happened or how badly you’re hurt, the jury will examine the presented evidence and make a decision about whose version it believes is accurate. If you elect to exercise your right to a jury trial, the jury will listen to both you and the defendant present evidence and arguments as to why your version of events is correct before it decides who’s at fault for the accident and the amount of compensation, if any, you receive.

A car accident case can also be decided without a jury. The judge can preside over the trial of your case in a bench trial, serving as factfinder and making decisions about fault and damage awards. Both you and the defendant must agree to waive exercising your right to a jury trial. The decision to waive a jury trial can have strategic benefits and disadvantages, so it’s an issue you and your attorney should discuss and decide together.

Talk to a Kansas City, MO Car Accident Attorney

The highly skilled Kansas City Car Accident Attorneys at Krause & Kinsman can answer your questions and build the strongest case possible whether you go to trial or settle before. We have extensive experience dealing with winning car accident cases and maximizing payouts. Call us at (816) 307-2352 or contact us online to schedule your initial free consultation today.

Our Reputation

The Krause & Kinsman Law Firm is made up of some of the nation’s foremost legal minds in the mass-tort field. That’s why our clients & co-counsel partners choose us.

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, and Co-Chair of the Law & Briefing Committee in MDL 2846:

In Re: Davol, Inc./C.R. Bard, Inc., Polypropylene Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in MDL 2974:

In Re: Paragard IUD Products Liability Litigation

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in MDL 2924:

In Re: Zantac (Ranitidine) Products Liability Litigation

Along with the aforementioned MDLs,

Plaintiff’s Counsel has prosecuted thousands of cases across other Multi-District Litigations and Mass-Torts, including:

MDL No. 3043:

Acetaminophen ASD/ADHD Product Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2753:

Atrium Medical Corp. C-Qur Mesh Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2782:

Ethicon Physiomesh Flexible Composite Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation

MCL No. 627:

In Re: Physiomesh Litigation, MCL

MCL No. 633:

In Re: Prolene Hernia System Mesh Litigation

MDL No. 2750:

Cook Medical, Inc., IVC Filters Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2641:

Bard IVC Filters Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2326:

In Re: Boston Scientific Corp. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2606:

Benicar (Olmesartan) Product Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2666:

In Re: Forced Air Warming Devices Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2591:

Syngenta AG MIR162 Corn Litigation

MDL No. 2936:

In Re: Smity’s/CAM2303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation

MCL No. 630:

In Re: Proceed Mesh Litigation

MDL No. 2543:

In Re: General Motors LLC Ignition Switch Litigation

MDL No. 2004:

In Re: Mentor Corp. ObTape Transobturator Sling Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2187:

In Re: C. R. Bard, Inc. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2325:

In Re: American Medical Systems, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2327:

In Re: Ethicon, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 2387:

In Re: Coloplast Corp. Pelvic Support Systems Products Liability Litigation

MDL No. 251:

In Re: Neomedic Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation

Highly Awarded Trial Attorneys

The Krause & Kinsman Law Firm is one of the nation’s leading mass-tort & personal-injury law firms. The founding partners, Adam & Robert, have been selected to serve on steering committees for some of the largest pharmaceutical mass-tort cases.

Working With Us

Partnering with Krause & Kinsman is easy. When you partner with Krause & Kinsman, you can be sure that our mutual clients’ complex matters are handled with the utmost care and dedication. In addition to our top-notch representation, we will ensure our mutual clients receive frequent communication about the status of their cases.

Partner With Us

Why Us?

Recognized leaders in mass-torts with vast experience in complex litigation.

Your clients will appreciate the high-quality representation provided.

Your clients will consistently real-time updates on the status of their case via video, email, text, and phone.

Get real-time updates on the status of our mutual clients while their cases progress.

Collaborate on the case together and receive co-counsel fees.