You've probably heard that most car accident cases settle well before any court trial. That's very true. Many even settle before a lawsuit is even filed. But that isn't always the case (no pun intended). If the parties can't agree on a key issue or two -- who was at fault for the car accident, the extent of the claimant's injuries, and so on -- then sometimes the only way to get things moving is to go to court and get the lawsuit process started.
How do you decide when it's time to put settlement talks on hold and file a car accident lawsuit in court?
If you can’t reach a fair settlement of your car accident claim, in most states you can take the at-fault driver to court by filing a lawsuit. Here’s a detailed guide of what to consider and the steps involved in a case.
What does the police report contain, and how is it used during a car accident settlement or lawsuit?
When you're sued for causing a car accident, you might have the option of filing a counterclaim seeking your own damages.
The vast majority of all car accident insurance claims are resolved before any lawsuit is filed.
Lawsuits seeking damages for losses resulting from a car accident
Your deposition can be a key to the success (or failure) of your car accident lawsuit. Here are five do’s and don’ts that will help you do a good job.
From your background to details about the crash, here are the kinds of questions to expect at your car accident deposition.
Interrogatories—written questions you’ll answer during a lawsuit—are an important way to gather facts and evidence for your case.
The length of a car accident case depends on numerous variables, including the litigation strategy of the parties and the willingness of either side to settle the case.
Early on, it can be difficult to determine what a car accident case is worth. Here's what your lawyer will want to learn when it comes to your claim.
Reaching a settlement or getting a judgment in your favor is one thing; getting paid could be a different story.
If you decide to make a car accident injury claim, chances are you’ll never get to court, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
A settlement typically means the end of your car accident claim, but in some rare situations a lawsuit still may be an option.
Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.
Online Form
Online Form
Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.
Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.
Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.
Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.
Find an experienced, local attorney in three easy steps. Our process is designed for ease and simplicity.
Briefly tell us about your case, and provide your contact information.
We find and instantly list attorneys that can best handle your case.
Choose the attorneys you would like to work with.
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.
Grow your firm with Martindale-Nolo, the largest legal network, and learn more about our attorney lead-generation and marketing services.
At Nolo, we prioritize quality and transparency because we know how important reliable legal information is to our readers. Our information is meticulously researched, regularly updated, and written in plain English by our experienced writers and editors. Learn more about our editorial standards.