Davis Law Group, P.S.

Avoiding the Expense of Litigation and Trial for your Bicycle Accident Claim

Bicycle injury cases can be very expensive to pursue, especially in those cases where liability is contested or when it’s necessary to hire numerous experts to prove the case in court. A single case can incur thousands of dollars in expenses. Sometimes the total expense can easily exceed six figures. Attorney ethics rules require that the expense of litigation must always be borne by the client, though the attorney may advance these costs and then get reimbursed at the conclusion of the case. Usually the expenses of litigation will include the cost of hiring a number of experts, paying for depositions, performing other discovery, requesting numerous records, and creating trial exhibits. The litigation process can also affect your income as you or family members may have to take time off work to attend a deposition and/or sit through trial.

The disadvantage of settling your claim is that you will never know how a jury would have viewed the case and how much the verdict would have been. Many times it comes down to whether or not you want to take a chance at going to trial. At some point, you should have a very candid conversation with your attorney about your expectations and the estimated value of the case. The pros and cons of litigation must be carefully weighed so that you can make the best decision for yourself and your family. Since each case is difference and may involve different legal questions, your decision must be based on the specific facts involved.


If you have been the victim of a bicycle accident, order your own copy of Wheels of Justice: Washington State Bicycle Accident Law written by Seattle's premier bicycle accident attorney Chris Davis. Click here to order your free book.