Probably not. Most personal injury cases in San Diego settle before they ever see a courtroom, but some do go to trial, and the honest answer depends on the facts of your case.
Here's how it usually plays out. After we file a claim, the insurance company either makes a fair offer or it doesn't. If the adjuster lowballs you, disputes who was at fault, or drags things out, filing a lawsuit and preparing for trial is often what gets them to take the claim seriously. A lot of cases settle at that point, sometimes on the courthouse steps.
What can push a case toward trial? Big disagreements over liability, a serious injury the insurer refuses to value fairly, or a defendant who won't accept responsibility. California is a pure comparative-fault state, so if the other side is trying to pin part of the blame on you to shrink what they pay, that fight can end up in front of a jury.
Whether your case is a car accident, a motorcycle crash, or another kind of personal injury claim, Joe Crudo prepares every file as if it could go to trial. That preparation is often what earns a better result short of one. Keep in mind California generally gives you two years to file under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, and claims against a public entity can have much shorter deadlines.
This is general information, not legal advice, and every case is different.
Want a straight answer about your own situation? Call (858) 622-7280 or reach us through our contact page. Consultations are free and confidential.