Texas Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney J. Gonzalez
by Benjamin Treviño | May 19th, 2025 | Auto Accident, Blog
Do most wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits go to trial?
The vast majority of tort (wrongful death/personal injury) cases are not settled a courtroom. According to the latest data, 90 to 95% of these civil cases are resolved through settlements before reaching trial.
Most personal injury and wrongful death claims are settled ahead of court because trials are expensive. Time is another issue. A settlement can be reached in months, while a trial can last years.
Furthermore, juries are unpredictable. They can vote against even the strongest of arguments, leaving plaintiffs without compensation.
These are just a couple of the reasons most plaintiffs prefer to settle rather than risk losing in court.
Reasons why some cases go to trial
Plaintiffs will sometimes take their chances in court due to specific circumstances. The first is when the defendant refuses to offer a fair settlement amount. This leaves the plaintiff with little choice but to pursue the matter in court.
Multi-million-dollar wrongful death claims are another reason a defendant will choose to fight in court. Large corporations, hospitals, and other defendants with so-called “deep pockets” can often afford attorney expenses and will fight aggressively to avoid paying a big settlement.
If fault is contested, the defense may refuse to settle and take the case to trial. This can happen in car accidents were multiple parties could be blamed.
If the evidence supporting the claim strongly favors the plaintiff, the plaintiff’s attorney may advise going to trial to seek a higher payout.
Sometimes a plaintiff wants the defendant to be held publicly accountable. In these cases, the plaintiff’s goal is more about justice than financial compensation.
Contact J. Gonzalez for advice
Working with a skilled personal injury and wrongful death attorney like J. Gonzalez increases your chances of success immeasurably. The J. Gonzalez Law Firm will always:
· negotiate aggressively for the maximum settlement
· gather crucial evidence to build a strong case
· fight in court if the defendant refuses to settle
· and guide your family through the legal process with compassion and understanding.
The best way to navigate your case is to consult with J. Gonzalez and his team. Your first consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we get the settlement or judgement that you deserve. Reach out to us now via this website, or by calling 1-800-CAR-CRASH.
McAllen crash claims two lives
By: Benjamin Treviño
MCALLEN – Two people are dead and criminal charges might follow as the result of a May 17 crash in McAllen.
According to a McAllen Police Department news release, the crash occurred around 2:29 a.m. in near the intersection of N. Col. Rowe Blvd. and Nolana Ave.
The crash involved a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and a Nissan Altima.
The circumstances leading up to the crash were not clear at this writing. The news release, however, states that the driver of the Altima, identified as Juan Carlos Perez, 54, of McAllen was killed.
Gianncarlo Corriabustos, 20, of Pasadena, Texas, identified as a passenger in the Silverado, was also killed, according to police
The driver of the Silverado, identified only as a 40-year-old male, is being treated in a local hospital.
“The cause of the collision remains under investigation,” stated the release, adding that “intoxication is suspected” and “criminal charges to follow.”
