Most people who have been injured in a car accident just want to get their life back to normal as quickly as possible. This isn’t always easy given the physical and emotional pain that often accompanies car accident injuries, not to mention the financial losses. In their rush to reclaim some sort of normalcy and put the accident behind them, though, a lot of victims are quick to accept settlement offers from the negligent driver who hurt them and that driver’s insurance company. This can be a big mistake.
Should you settle your case?
It really depends on the facts at hand. To help you better determine if a settlement offer is appropriate, consider the following:
- The strength of your case with due regard for evidence demonstrating negligence, causation, and the extent of your harm
- The weaknesses of your case, considering whether you were partially at fault for the accident in question
- The value of your case taking into account economic and noneconomic losses
- Your desire to put in the time and effort necessary to see a case through trial
- Your need for quick financial relief
- How juries have handled similar cases
- The difference in expected recovery if you take the case to trial rather than setting
These might seem like easy factors to consider, but they can actually be fraught with complexities that you need to know and understand before sitting down at the negotiation table.
Preparing for trial to prepare for negotiation
One of the best ways to prepare for settlement negotiations is to prepare for trial. Know the facts and the evidence that you can present at trial. Identify your witnesses and have your damages calculated with supporting evidence. Know how you’re going to counter the other side’s arguments. Putting this work in on the front end will go a long way while negotiating.
We know that dealing with car accident injuries can be hard. That’s all the more reason to avoid facing these legal matters alone. So, if you think you could benefit from legal help, then think about sitting down with an attorney to discuss your case.
