If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be under significant financial stress due to your medical expenses and, in some cases, your inability to return to work because of your injuries. It is understandable that you would want to resolve your case and obtain fair compensation from the at-fault driver as soon as possible. However, it is very important that you make sure that your injuries have completely resolved and that your medical providers are in a position to state whether or not you have sustained a permanent injury or will require future medical expenses. For these reasons alone, it is important that you contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.” For example, you may wonder whether it is a good decision to agree to a settlement or if you should attempt to take your case to trial.
What Is a Personal Injury Settlement?
The United States Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reports that the vast majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court. This means that the two parties come to an agreement on a fair amount of compensation for the victim’s damages and an arrangement to pay out that compensation. In order to receive all of the compensation that you are entitled to, you want a lawyer who prepares your case as if it is going to trial so that the insurance company knows your lawyer will take it to trial if the case is not settled. Your lawyer will also have prepared and documented all aspects of your damages, including past and future wage loss, past and future medical expenses, permanent injuries, emotional injuries, as well as an extensive description of your pain and suffering.
Preparing for settlement negotiations is every bit as important as preparing for a trial, as you will need to be sure that you have sufficient leverage to work toward a favorable outcome. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident so that he or she can help you gather timely evidence, including photos and videos of the crash, police reports, 911 call recordings, statements from witnesses, and detailed records of your medical treatment, all of which can be presented during negotiations to demonstrate to the other party that you have a strong case.
Benefits of a Personal Injury Settlement
One of the largest benefits of a personal injury settlement is that your case can often be resolved more efficiently than in a trial. The BJS reports that car accident trials may take a total of 20 months or more to process, and a trial can also lead to the accumulation of significant court costs. Another benefit is that a settlement often gives you greater control over the outcome of your case, as you and your attorney can decide what you will agree to rather than leaving the decision to a judge or jury.
That said, you should avoid accepting a settlement that is not in your best interests, and your attorney can advise you as to whether a trial may be your best option for achieving full and fair compensation. The need for a trial may become clear as settlement negotiations start to stall.
Contact a Green Bay Personal Injury Attorney
Whether your case can be resolved through a settlement or will require litigation in court, the attorneys at the Herrling Clark Law Firm Ltd. can help. With our knowledge and experience, we will provide you with well-informed legal advice and help you build the strongest possible case for compensation. Contact an Appleton car accident lawyer today at 920-739-7366 to request a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/tbjtsc05.pdf