Can You Appeal the Court’s Decision if Your Car Accident Claim Doesn’t Succeed?

People who get hurt in car accidents often have major expenses afterward. They not only have repair bills to deal with, but they likely also can’t work and earn paychecks to keep up with their living expenses while they’re still recovering, let alone pay all of the new medical bills that keep piling up. At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, it’s our job to help those people get compensation from the at-fault drivers.

Usually, victims’ claims are settled out of court. That means the insurance companies know they would lose if they contested the claims, so to save themselves a lot of hassle and money, they write checks to victims and move on. But sometimes, they dig their heels in and refuse to pay, forcing us to take them to court. And in rare instances, juries may side with the at-fault drivers, their insurers, and their legal teams, which means no compensation for victims—initially, at least.

Civil Court Verdicts Can Be Appealed in Ohio

Hearing an unfavorable verdict from the jury can be disheartening, especially if you’ve been anticipating a large settlement for months after your crash. But the jury’s decision isn’t the final word on your compensation claim or lawsuit. All civil court verdicts in Ohio can be appealed by both sides. That means if you win your claim, the at-fault party can appeal, and if they win, you can appeal the jury’s decision, too.

Note that a notice of appeal in civil cases must be filed within 30 days of the court’s decision. Our lawyers will be in close contact with you throughout the process, so you’ll never be in danger of this deadline coming and going without you knowing. You will need to make a relatively quick decision as to whether you want to appeal the verdict, but we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Why Are Court Decisions Appealed?

There are several reasons that a jury’s decision and verdict might be appealed, including:

• An expert witness wasn’t allowed to give their testimony due to an incorrect ruling by the court.
• Valid evidence wasn’t permitted in court that could have changed the outcome of the jury’s decision.
• The presiding judge demonstrated bias when speaking to the jury.
• Jury misconduct, including jurors concealing potential biases or connections with involved parties, or jurors deciding their verdicts before all arguments and evidence were presented.
• Overall lack of evidence to support the jury’s verdict.

Note that appealing a civil lawsuit outcome doesn’t mean a new trial will take place. Instead, the case will move to an appellate court, which will use information and evidence gathered during the initial trial to make its decision of whether to revise the verdict, reverse the verdict, or even send the entire case back to the lower court for further action.

We’ll Help You Make the Right Decision

Our Cleveland car accident lawyers build claims for innocent victims with every intention of getting fast and fair settlements. But sometimes, insurance companies balk, and going to trial is just another step towards getting compensation. However, no trial outcome can be 100% accurately predicted ahead of time.

Just as we’ll advise you on your best options when you contact us about your injury, we’ll continue to advise you throughout the claim process. That includes recommending going to trial if necessary, and even appealing the jury’s decision if you get an unfavorable verdict. After an auto accident that wasn’t your fault, you need a law firm that has your best interests at heart and that will stop at nothing to ensure you get the money you’re owed. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re ready to put our 90+ years of experience to work for your family.