Not all personal injury cases go to court. Indeed, most cases are settled by both parties without court intervention. Settlements allow you to secure monetary compensation faster and the defendant doesn’t need to deal with the expense and time related to litigation. To ensure a favorable outcome during settlement negotiations or trials, you need to have experienced New Jersey injury lawyers at Sattiraju & Tharney, LLP on your side. The ability of your attorney to negotiate a fair deal with the other party is key to a favorable settlement. Personal injury claim settlements involve the following steps:
Determining Fault
Often the party responsible for your accident and injury is liable for the resulting damages. This party can be found at fault in many ways. Insurance companies can use the police reports made for a car accident as an important piece of evidence. Other evidence gathered at the accident scene like photographic evidence and other document such as your medical records can also be helpful.
Determine the Value of Your Case
Before you can demand a compensation amount, you must know how much your case is worth first. Usually, personal injury lawyers have the experience and knowledge to provide you with an estimate of your case’s value based on the severity of your injuries and losses. Also, they can review previous cases similar to yours and get a general idea of how much your case may be worth.
Make a Demand
Often, the negotiation process starts when the insurance company of the liable party makes a settlement offer. If your attorney thinks this offer is not fair, they will make a counteroffer. This will be the situation until both parties reach an agreement.
Your attorney will craft a detailed demand letter that contains information regarding the amount of compensation you want to be paid, the reason you deserve that amount, and an itemization of the damages you sustained.
The settlement process can take months to complete. But it could take longer if your case ends up in court. As an injured victim, becoming a patient during this period can be challenging, particularly if you are facing expensive medical bills and lost wages.
Thankfully, a personal injury lawyer can keep you informed at each stage of the process and will work diligently to reach the full settlement amount you deserve as quickly as possible. Your attorney works for you and advocates for the fair compensation you will need to move on after an injury.
