Sustaining a personal injury because of the negligent action of another party can affect your life in a lot of ways. You may deal with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and disrupted daily living. In this tough time, the potential of a settlement may be appealing; however, it is also a bit mysterious. To learn more about how personal injury claim settlement works, hire a reliable attorney from Law Office of Brian P. Azemika. A lawyer plays an important role in making sure you obtain the compensation you are entitled to.
How Do Settlements Work?
Personal injury settlements are out-of-court agreements made by the parties involved in an injury case. When the parties reach a settlement, this means that the defendant agrees to pay an amount to the plaintiff to resolve their dispute without facing each other in court. By accepting a settlement, you relinquish your right to seek further compensation for your injuries.
Going to trial is usually time-consuming and stressful. It requires time and unpredictable things can happen because a jury or judge has to make a decision for your case. When you choose to settle your case, you avoid such unpredictability and the trial cost. For the other party, this means getting rid of the possibility of a big court-ordered payout. For you as the plaintiff, settling means giving you quick access to funds to cover related costs like lost wages and medical expenses.
What to Expect from the Settlement Process
The personal injury settlement process involves the following steps:
- Attorney consultation. An experienced lawyer can assess the merits of your injury case, give an estimated valuation, and present a legal strategy. If you handle your case without an attorney, you could settle your case for less than its true value.
- Investigation. Your lawyer will gather related evidence such as medical records, police reports, accident scene photos, and witness statements. They will use the information they get to make a demand letter that details the seriousness of the injuries you suffered, the costs incurred, and the compensation you are seeking.
- Settlement negotiation. After the demand letter is sent to the other party, both parties can start negotiating. Your lawyer will present you in such discussions. Negotiations can occur back and forth. A skilled lawyer understands the techniques insurers use to reduce their liabilities and counter them effectively to ensure you get maximum compensation from the at-fault party or their insurance company.
