Most legal cases must have their day in court, but there may be a way to settle some small claims without ever stepping foot in a courtroom.

Kyana Brooks just received a court settlement from injuries sustained in a car accident.

The accident happened two years ago, but she's just now being paid because of the extensive haggling that took place with the other driver's insurance company.

"They just drug it out way too long, and Virtual Courtroom made it that much faster," said Brooks.

At virtualcourthouse.com, an issue that would normally take months to settle in court, takes just weeks online.

A resolution like this begins when both parties agree to "virtually" settle their dispute. A neutral party is then selected to act as a judge or mediator. Next, both parties enter statements and upload supporting documents. Lastly, the neutral party makes a decision.

The best part: settling online not only saves time, but also money.

Attorney Hal Clagett has used it more than once for clients who couldn't afford time off work to go to court. "The longer it takes him to dig himself out of the hole, the farther he gets and that's paralyzing for somebody," said Clagett. 

Founder of the Web site, Judge Monty Ahalt said there could be more Web sites like his, and another online settlement site, Cybersettle in the future.

"The pathway to quicker, faster, less expensive dispute resolution outside of the court system will be on the Internet," said Ahalt. "The efficiencies have been demonstrated overwhelmingly."

Online dispute resolution can sometimes cost as little as $300, compared to thousands of dollars clients spend going to court.

In fact, it's being used by some governments.

The city of New York began using online dispute resolution in 2004 to reduce a backlog of claims in the court.