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Important points to know about personal injury settlements

On Behalf of | Nov 26, 2019 | Personal Injury

People who suffer injuries due to the negligence of another party often choose to seek compensation. This is done through filing a lawsuit in the civil court system, but it doesn’t automatically mean that they will have to go through a trial. Many personal injury claims are settled out of court before the trial date.

Some people tend to choose to try to settle because it is likely faster and less costly than going through a trial. In some cases, the settlement occurs prior to a lawsuit being filed. Since there are time limits associated with these cases, you must ensure that you are acting swiftly.

Need for representation

Having an attorney can help if you are trying to obtain a settlement because they can work with the other side to establish terms. In some cases, attorneys for the defendant won’t work with someone who isn’t a lawyer.

When you retain a lawyer, they can evaluate your case to help you find out the strength and weaknesses. You can use this information to make an informed decision about how you want to proceed. They can let you know if a settlement is likely, but this doesn’t mean it is a sure thing. Often, it depends on how strong the case is.

The starting point

One of the more important aspects of obtaining a settlement is determining the starting point. This should be a higher amount that enables you to pay for the attorney fees and the costs associated with your injuries. You might end up with a smaller figure for a settlement, however, you likely won’t have as high a total for legal fees. This could mean that it is in your favor to settle.

There are host of expenses you need to think about. These include things like past and future medical bills related to the accident, lost wages for time you had to miss work and similar damages.

Since you don’t have to wait as long, you might be able to settle some bills before they start to collect interest. This can also save you money, which is preferable for many individuals who are in this position. The negotiation process for obtaining a settlement can be rather intense. It is best if you have someone who is familiar with the common tactics so they can get you the best settlement possible for your case.

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