A lot of people who are injured in a car accident struggle to even realize what their case is worth. In many instances, they’re just angry and want accountability. This is understandable. After all, most of these victims aren’t experts in medical treatments and how injuries can affect their earnings capacity. But given these limits, car accident victims need to be careful when they are offered a settlement because accepting it might not be in their best interests.
Know when to settle and when to fight for more
A careful analysis of your claim needs to be conducted before deciding whether to accept a settlement offer. Here’s what to consider:
- The extent of your damages: You have to know what your actual losses are before you can properly assess a settlement offer. Take into account medical expenses, lost wages, and the extent to which your pain and suffering has affected your life. Determining how much your noneconomic damages are worth can be tough, but an attorney might be able to help put it in context.
- Your chances of succeeding at trial: There’s a lot that goes into this determination. You’ll want to analyze the evidence at hand to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case, even giving attention to any legal rules that could come into play. Then, you’ll want to consider that evidence in light of how juries have responded to similar cases. This can give you some valuable insight into how likely you are to succeed at trial.
- Your desire to deal with the stressors of litigation: Trying a case can be stressful. It’s usually time-consuming and fraught with conflict. Taking your case to trial can be totally worth it, though, especially if your settlement offer was way less than you think you can get at trial. But if you just want some quick cash and an end to your nightmare, then a settlement might be better aligned with your interests.
You don’t have to deal with all of this on your own
Analyzing and preparing a case for negotiation and trial can be an overwhelming endeavor for those who aren’t experienced with the law. That’s why so many car accident victims turn to legal professionals who can help them navigate the process and fight for what is right. If you think that securing that assistance is best for you, then research firms that might be the right fit for you.