Mediation vs. Litigation in Louisville Car Accident Cases: What is the Difference?
There is no question that for many Louisville car accident victims, the idea of going through a long, drawn-out court battle after a serious and life-threatening car accident can feel overwhelming and even frightening. Indeed, the thought of testifying, waiting for trial dates, and dealing with court paperwork can make an already stressful situation worse. The good news is that going to trial is not the only way car accident claims are resolved in Louisville. In fact, many personal injury cases are settled through mediation, which is a more private and informal process that can save time, stress, and money. Understanding the difference between mediation and litigation can help you decide the best way forward after your serious car accident. To help Louisville car accident victims better understand the important mediation process, we discuss what mediation is in a Louisville car accident and where to find a lawyer to help you get to the mediation table.
Mediation in Louisville Car Accident Cases: What is It and How is It Different from Litigation?
To get started, it is important for Louisville car accident victims to understand the basics of the mediation process. Simply put, mediation is a voluntary process where both sides of a car accident dispute meet with a neutral third party, known as a mediator, to try to reach a settlement. The mediator is not a judge and does not decide who is right or wrong. Instead, the mediator helps both parties communicate, identify their interests, and work toward a resolution that everyone can agree on. Mediation is confidential and informal, and it often allows victims to receive compensation faster than waiting for a trial. If an agreement is reached, it is written down and signed by both sides, becoming a binding settlement in a memorandum of understanding or settlement agreement.
Litigation, on the other hand, is the formal legal process of taking a case to court. In a Louisville car accident case, this means filing a lawsuit, exchanging evidence through discovery, attending hearings, and possibly going to trial before a judge or jury. Litigation can take months or even years to complete, and it is generally more expensive than mediation because of court costs and legal fees. However, litigation may be necessary when the at-fault driver or their insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement or disputes who was responsible for the accident.
How a Louisville Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get to the Mediation Table
If you have been asked to mediate your Louisville car accident case, or you are interested in the mediation process to resolve your claims, it is important to chat with an experienced Louisville car accident lawyer about your case. An experienced Louisville car accident lawyer can review your case, determine whether mediation or litigation makes sense, and can fight for you and represent you at your mediation and in court.
If you are in the Louisville area and you need legal help, contact the experienced Louisville car accident lawyers at Haney Law, PLLC. Contact Haney Law, PLLC today and speak with a lawyer about your case now.