People who act negligently and cause harm to others often try to escape accountability. When they’re unable to do that fully, they seek to minimize the blame that is placed on them. This is true with personal injury cases. That’s one reason why those who are responsible for the injuries in question seek to settle personal injury claims s quickly and without a trial.
Don’t accept a settlement offer unless it’s right for you
You shouldn’t immediately latch onto a settlement offer without careful consideration of a number of factors. Here are some things to take into account when assessing a settlement offer:
- The strength of your evidence: Think about the testimony and exhibits you can use to support your position at trial. If it’s ironclad, then you’ve got a lot of leverage during negotiations. If not, a settlement offer might need to be accepted with less pushback.
- The strength of the other side’s case: If the other side has evidence that you’re to blame for the injuries in question or that liability lies elsewhere, then your bargaining position is much weaker.
- What is your case is worth: You can’t tell if a settlement offer is appropriate if you don’t know the value of your damages. That’s why it’s important to calculate lost wages and medical expenses, speak to experts about your prognosis, and detail how your injuries have affected your day-to-day living.
- How have juries found in similar cases: Assessing how juries have addressed similar cases can give you valuable insight into your likelihood of success at trial. This can inform how to address negotiations.
Ultimately, you need to conduct a risk-reward analysis in light of how taxing seeing your case through trial will be for you. This assessment can be difficult, especially if you don’t have any legal experience. Fortunately, attorneys who are well adept at personal injury cases can help you negotiate and navigate your situation to maximize your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome.