Accident injuries can disrupt your daily life, your physical capabilities, your emotional wellbeing, and your financial stability. As a result, you probably just want to recover the compensation to which you’re entitled and move on with life as you focus on your recovery. This is understandable, but in these situations you need to be careful that you don’t accept a settlement offer that is far less than you deserve.
Know how to assess your claim
To make the best choice when it comes to a settlement offer, you need to consider a number of things. Each of the following can provide you with insight and guidance.
- What you’re claim is worth: By calculating the true extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, you can get a clearer picture if your settlement offer is anywhere near what you want and need.
- The strength of your case: You’ll need to look at the evidence of your case to determine how likely it is that you’ll succeed if you take the matter to trial. This can help steer you in the right direction. If you’re evidence is strong, then you might even be able to negotiate a better settlement.
- Your case’s weaknesses: Arguments showing that you’re partially at fault for the accident can affect the value and strength of your case, so be sure to fully analyze those facts and how you’re able to deter arguments against you, if you can at all.
- Consider how similar cases have played out: If cases with similar fact patterns have gone to trial, then you can consider if they’ve turned out favorably for the victim. Again, this can provide some valuable insight into the strength and recovery potential if you go forward.
- Your desire to deal with litigation: There’s no denying that litigating a case takes time and energy, often resulting in a fair share of stress. That’s not to say that you should avoid it. In fact, there are many cases where going to trial is by far your best option. But, if you simply want cash quickly to cover your bills and move on, then you’ll just want to focus on getting the best settlement possible.
Know how to aggressive advocate for yourself
Settlement negotiations can be stressful, especially when the other side convincingly argues that you’re case is weak and that you’re unlikely to recover more at trial. Don’t let these tactics scare you. Instead, consider acquiring help from an attorney who has a realistic perspective on these cases and can aggressively advocate for you and your position.
