When you’re hurt in an accident in Montgomery, insurance companies often push for quick settlements. They know most people want to avoid court. But here’s what they don’t want you to know: Montgomery juries often award much more than initial settlement offers. At Strickland & Kendall, we’ve been taking cases to trial since 1994, and our name—jurytrial.us—reflects our commitment to fighting for you in court when necessary.
The Reality of Insurance Company Tactics in Montgomery
Insurance companies have one goal: pay as little as possible. They’re counting on your fear of the courtroom to accept pennies on the dollar.
Quick Settlement Trap: Within days of your accident, an adjuster might call with an offer. They sound helpful, but they’re trained to close claims fast and cheap. They know you’re facing medical bills and might be out of work.
Insurance adjusters are professional negotiators who handle hundreds of claims. You’ve probably never negotiated an injury claim before. They use this experience gap to their advantage, making offers that sound reasonable but fall far short of what Montgomery juries typically award for similar injuries.
The “Blame Game” Strategy
Alabama’s contributory negligence rule is the strictest in the nation. If you’re even 1% at fault, you receive nothing. Insurance companies exploit this by claiming you contributed to your accident—maybe you were “walking too fast” or “should have seen” the hazard. They hope fear of getting zero will make you grab any offer.
Reality Check: In our 30 years of practice, we’ve seen insurance companies blame victims for everything from wearing the wrong shoes to being “distracted by thinking.” Don’t fall for these tactics.
Why Montgomery Juries Award More Than Settlements
There’s a profound difference between negotiating in a conference room and presenting your case to twelve Montgomery residents who understand real-world consequences.
The Human Factor
In settlement negotiations, you’re reduced to medical codes and dollar figures. In a Montgomery courtroom, you become a neighbor, a parent, a worker struggling to rebuild your life. Juries see beyond the paperwork to the person.
Ed Kendall, partner at Strickland & Kendall, explains: “When a Montgomery teacher explains how she can no longer write on the board, or a construction worker demonstrates why he can’t lift his tools anymore, juries understand. That’s worth far more than any insurance formula.”
Understanding True Damages
Settlement offers typically cover obvious costs like current medical bills and car repairs. But life is more complex than a calculator can capture.
What Juries Consider That Settlements Often Don’t: Future surgeries you’ll need in 10 years. The promotion you’ll never get because you can’t perform certain tasks. The depression from losing your independence. The strain on your marriage. The activities you’ll miss with your grandchildren.
Montgomery juries live in our community. They understand what it means when you can’t work at Maxwell Air Force Base anymore, or when you have to give up coaching youth sports at Cramton Bowl. They know these losses have real value.
The Strategic Power of Trial Readiness
Here’s an insider secret: cases prepared for trial often settle for much more than those aimed at settlement from the start. Why? Because insurance companies assess risk differently when facing trial lawyers versus settlement mills.
The Strickland & Kendall Difference
“We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial,” says Michael Strickland, who has personally tried over 100 cases. “Insurance companies have databases on every law firm. They know who will actually go to court and who just talks tough. Our name—jurytrial.us—sends a clear message.”
This reputation translates to real dollars. Insurance companies often triple or quadruple their offers when they realize they’re facing attorneys who won’t blink at selecting a jury.
Case Study: A recent Montgomery car accident victim was offered $25,000 to settle. When we filed suit and began trial preparation, that offer jumped to $250,000—without even reaching the courthouse steps.
When Settlement Makes Sense (And When It Doesn’t)
Not every case belongs in front of a jury. The key is knowing the difference and having attorneys who won’t push you either way based on their own interests.
Green Lights for Settlement
Sometimes accepting a fair settlement is the smart move. If you’ve recovered fully from minor injuries and the offer covers all your bills plus reasonable compensation for pain and suffering, trial might not add value. Or if you’re facing foreclosure and need money immediately, a bird in hand might be worth two in the bush.
Red Flags That Scream “Trial”
However, certain situations demand a jury’s attention:
Lowball Offers: When the insurance company offers less than your medical bills, they’re betting you’re desperate or scared of court.
Permanent Injuries: Anything that changes your life forever deserves full consideration, not a quick calculation.
Corporate Negligence: When a company’s cost-cutting caused your injury, a public trial holds them accountable in ways settlement never can.
Disputed Liability: If they’re blaming you unfairly, let a jury decide who’s really at fault.
The Montgomery Trial Journey: What Really Happens
Movies make trials look dramatic and scary. Reality is much more structured and predictable. Understanding the process removes fear and helps you make informed decisions.
Phase One: Building Your Case (6-12 months)
After filing in Montgomery County Circuit Court, we enter “discovery”—legal speak for uncovering the truth. We force the other side to hand over documents they’d rather keep hidden. We take depositions, where witnesses must tell the truth under oath. No more insurance company games or changing stories.
Client Perspective: “I was nervous about depositions, but having Strickland & Kendall prepare me made all the difference. It felt good to finally tell my story without interruption.” – Recent Montgomery client
Phase Two: Pre-Trial Positioning (2-3 months)
Judges often require mediation—a last chance to settle before trial. This isn’t giving up; it’s negotiating from strength. The other side knows trial is next, and their offers reflect that reality. If mediation fails, we finalize trial preparation.
Phase Three: Your Day in Court (3-5 days)
Montgomery juries are selected from your neighbors—people who shop at Eastchase, eat at Dreamland BBQ, and understand our community. Opening statements set the stage. Witnesses tell the truth. Evidence speaks for itself. Then twelve Montgomery residents decide what’s fair.
The verdict moment is powerful. There’s something profound about your community standing up and declaring that what happened to you was wrong and that you deserve to be made whole.
Why Local Matters: The Montgomery Advantage
Out-of-town insurance lawyers often misread Montgomery juries. They assume we’re just another Southern city. They’re wrong.
Montgomery residents have a strong sense of justice rooted in our civil rights history. We understand fighting for what’s right, even when it’s difficult. Our juries don’t tolerate companies putting profits over people’s safety.
Judicial Insight: Montgomery judges run efficient courtrooms and expect lawyers to be prepared. At Strickland & Kendall, we know each judge’s preferences and procedures, giving our clients smoother trials.
Making Your Choice: Three Questions That Matter
Deciding between settlement and trial isn’t about courage or fear. It’s about strategy and what’s best for your family. Consider these essential questions:
Question 1: “What’s My Case Really Worth?” We provide honest assessments based on decades of Montgomery verdicts. We’ll show you what similar cases settled for versus what juries awarded. The difference often surprises people.
Question 2: “Can I Handle the Journey?” Trials take time—usually 12-24 months. We’ll be honest about the emotional and practical demands. But remember, you won’t walk alone. We handle the legal heavy lifting while you focus on healing.
Question 3: “What Message Do I Want to Send?” Some clients want compensation and closure. Others want to prevent future accidents by holding wrongdoers publicly accountable. There’s no wrong answer, only what feels right for you.
The Verdict on Verdicts
After nearly 30 years of representing Montgomery injury victims, we’ve learned that the threat of trial is often as powerful as trial itself. Insurance companies fear uncertainty. They fear public exposure. Most of all, they fear attorneys who actually try cases.
That’s why we named our firm jurytrial.us. It’s not just a web address—it’s a promise. Whether your case ultimately settles or goes before a jury, you’ll have attorneys who prepare for war while hoping for peace.
The Bottom Line: You don’t have to go to trial, but you absolutely need attorneys who will. That readiness changes everything.
Your Next Step
Don’t let insurance companies use your fear of court against you. Knowledge is power, and now you understand your options.
Contact Strickland & Kendall today for a free case evaluation:
📞 Local: 334-269-3230
📞 Toll-Free: 800-874-3528
🕐 Availability: 24/7 for emergencies
🏠 Convenience: We’ll come to you if needed
During your consultation, we’ll assess whether settlement or trial makes sense for your unique situation. No pressure, no obligations—just honest advice from Montgomery’s proven trial lawyers.
Remember: Insurance companies hope you’ll never read this article. They profit from your fear of the courtroom. But with the right attorneys, trial isn’t something to fear—it’s a powerful tool for justice.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.