Settling a case means that you agree to accept money in return for voluntarily dismissing your action against the person who injured you. You'll actually sign a release absolving the other side of any further liability.

Most cases are settled before trial, so don't be surprised if your case never goes to trial. After all, the purpose of most tort suits is to recover money from the person who caused the harm. Often, it benefits both sides from an economic and a personal standpoint to resolve the legal dispute without a trial.

The sidebar "Should You Settle Your Case?" discusses some of the general factors that go into deciding whether an offer to settle a case should be accepted. Your lawyer will be able to provide a realistic assessment of whether a lawsuit based on your claim will be successful, but the decision to accept a settlement offer is yours, not the lawyer's. Remember also that settlement can take place at any point in a lawsuit once it is filed, including before trial or even after a case has been tried but before a jury reaches a verdict.