A courtroom in Chattanooga sits empty before a car accident trial takes place.

What to Expect if Your Car Accident Case Goes To Trial in Chattanooga

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When you’ve filed a claim after being injured in a car accident, the attorneys at The McMahan Law Firm will work tirelessly to reach a fair settlement with the insurance company before a lawsuit is even filed.

But if negotiations fall through, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. If your case goes to trial, we’ll guide you through every step of the way. Jay and Brent have put together this guide to help you understand what to expect in the unlikely event that your personal injury case goes to trial in Chattanooga.

How Is the Jury Selected?

Most states will require that a jury be selected before the actual trial commences. This is in lieu of a ruling judge, though a judge will still preside over the trial. Lawyers for both the plaintiff (you) and the defendant (the insurance company) will interview the possible jury members until both can agree on an unbiased and impartial set. Opening statements will follow the selection of the jury.

Opening Statements 

At the beginning of your car accident trial, we will take the opportunity to make a powerful opening statement on your behalf. We’ll present a clear and compelling argument showing why you deserve compensation, refuting any claims from the insurance company that the accident was partly your fault. 

With solid evidence to back up our claims, we’ll demonstrate to the jury how and why you were not at fault for the accident. Our goal during opening statements is to set the stage for our strong case and give the jury a clear understanding of how we plan to prove our case to them.

Presenting the Case

An experienced car accident trial attorney presents a case to a jury in a courtroom.After making a powerful opening statement, The McMahan Law Firm’s attorneys will take the opportunity to present your case to the jury in a clear and compelling way. 

We’ll share solid evidence to prove why you were not at fault for the accident and ensure that your claim is truthful and solid. With witness testimonials and statements from medical professionals, we’ll build a strong case to convince the jury, without a reasonable doubt, that you deserve compensation. 

After our team is done presenting your case, the defense will have the opportunity to present their argument.

Closing Arguments and Deliberation

Once both parties have presented their cases, we will make our final push to persuade the jury during closing arguments. This is the last opportunity to drive home our key points, analyzing the evidence presented throughout the trial and making a final, persuasive argument for your case. We’ll leave no stone unturned and make sure that the jury has a clear understanding of why you deserve compensation.

Then, the jury will retire to a private room to deliberate your case. These discussions are strictly confidential, and there is no set time limit. Our attorneys will wait patiently for the jury to reach a verdict. Eventually, the jury will communicate their decision to the judge, who will call them back into the courtroom and have them read the verdict to both parties. This is a crucial moment and we’ll be by your side to hear the outcome.

The McMahan Law Firm Is Here for You

An experienced personal injury attorney in Chattanooga shakes a hands with a client after helping them win a car accident case that went to trial.

It’s more than likely that your case will be settled before going to trial. However, if negotiations fall through, it’s helpful to have professional legal counsel by your side. Jay and Brent have years of experience fighting for the rights of injured individuals in Chattanooga, and they’ll fight for you, too

Contact us for a free case review by giving us a call or filling out our online form.