Things To Consider Before Accepting A Settlement Offer
After an accident, you may just want to move on with your life. However, if you have incurred medical bills and other losses during your recovery, you may also want compensation. This is completely understandable, particularly when the accident was caused by another person’s negligence. You can file a personal injury lawsuit to help you claim this compensation, and the majority of these cases end in a settlement. Before you accept a settlement though, there are several things you should consider.
The Value of Your Case
One of the first things you must do when filing a personal injury lawsuit is to value your claim. While this seems difficult for many people, it is an essential step to ensure that you recover the full damages you deserve. The value of your claim will depend on the medical expenses you incurred, lost wages if you could not go back to work right away, as well as your pain and suffering. Consider what these losses are worth to you, and ask a Marietta personal injury lawyer for help with accurately valuing your claim. If the settlement offer you received is not above that number, do not accept.
The Strength of Your Evidence
Evidence is crucial to your personal injury lawsuit and it can include police reports, eyewitness statements, expert witness statements, and accident reconstruction reports. The stronger your evidence is, the better chance you will have of recovering the full damages you deserve. If the evidence you have is not very strong, you may want to accept the settlement offer made by the insurance company, but still speak to a lawyer first.
The Strength of Your Case
You may think you have a very strong case, and that could very well be true. Unfortunately, your case may also have weaknesses that you are not aware of. For example, the negligent party may try to argue that you were partly to blame. If they are successful with this argument, it will have a drastic impact on the amount of damages you can claim. Analyze the facts of your case to determine what weak points it may have, and then consider the points you can make to refute the arguments of the defense.
Your Own Desire to Move Forward with Your Life
If you litigate your personal injury case, it will take much more time than accepting a settlement offer. Throughout the trial, you will likely feel stressed, uncertain, and still be dealing with financial hardship. This does not mean you should accept an unfair settlement offer just because you want to move on with your life. Still, if a fair settlement offer is made and you want to avoid the stress of a trial, accepting it is a good option.
Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Marietta Can Analyze Your Case
After an accident caused by another person, the insurance company will likely offer a settlement right away. At The Strickland Firm, our knowledgeable Marietta personal injury lawyer can advise on whether that settlement is fair, and appropriate for your case. Call us today at 1-844-GAJUSTICE or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
