What to Know About Settling a Car Injury Claim Through Arbitration

Frequently, car accident victims submit their injury claims to the courts for resolution. However, going to court is not the only way to resolve car accident injury claims. There are other options.

Let’s explore one of the most popular car injury resolution techniques: Arbitration. Let’s discuss what it is and why it is often chosen

What Exactly is Arbitration?

Arbitration is a method of conflict resolution where two conflicting parties (the plaintiff and defendant) mutually appoint a third party known as an arbitrator to listen to their case and suggest a solution or agreement. Arbitration is generally more hassle-free than a convention court trial — which explains why it’s getting more popular.

Why Do Accident Victims Often Choose Arbitration?

Some cases mandate the use of arbitration

Although most arbitration cases are voluntary, insurance companies sometimes include clauses in their personal injury protection policies that require any claims handled through arbitration.

Arbitration is cheaper than going to court

Arbitration avoids the sometimes higher costs of going through a lengthy court battle.

Arbitration is faster than a court case

The arbitration process is more informal, doing away with the tiresome bureaucracies of the court legal system.

Although arbitration has many positives, it does have negatives. For example, since the arbitration process is more informal, the outcomes may not always be binding. It is always essential to ensure the arbitration is binding by confirming that both parties and the court signed the agreement.

Tips for Arbitration

If you decide on arbitration to resolve a car injury claim, it’s vital to have the following tips in mind.

Choose a good arbitrator: Most arbitrators are people with some knowledge of the law, like retired judges or experienced lawyers. You want to choose someone with a history of integrity.

Come prepared with enough evidence: In order to succeed, it’s best to prepare in advance. Ensure you have all the evidence you need, including the medical records, medical bills, accident and injury photos, etc.

Stay calm and level-headed: The other party may come out swinging and try to fluster you. Be prepared for this, stay calm, and let your attorney handle the negotiations. Avoid showing signs of anger or frustration, as this may work against you.

Hire an experienced attorney: Most importantly, make sure you have an experienced car accident attorney by your side. Your attorney can help you gather evidence to support your claim and ensure your rights and interests are protected.

If you have been injured in a St. Louis car accident, get in touch with our experienced attorneys today for a free case evaluation.