If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver, then you have a strong basis to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. But as you proceed with your claim, there’s a strong likelihood that you’re going to be offered a settlement. Although it might be tempting to snatch up a promise of quick compensation, you should take a step back before doing so. After all, you may be entitled to more money than is being offered.
Analyzing a settlement offer
Remember that the insurance company that you’re dealing with isn’t your friend. It wants to pay you as little as possible to avoid losing out big time at trial. So, with that in mind, before accepting a settlement offer, you should consider each of the following factors:
- The value of your claim, keeping in mind that you’ve suffered economic and noneconomic damages. So, make sure that you’re making the proper calculations and giving your pain and suffering and mental anguish the attention that it deserves.
- The evidence that supports your claim. If you have clear evidence of fault and your damages, then you’re in a stronger position to take your case to trial and push for a larger settlement.
- Any evidence showing comparative negligence. Wisconsin recognizes comparative negligence, which means that your claim could be reduced based on the amount of fault allocated to you. So, make sure that you’re looking at your accident from the defense’s perspective to see if you’re at risk here.
- Your desire to move on. A lot of people just want to recover a little bit of money and then turn the page on this chapter of life, thereby avoiding the stress that is oftentimes associated with litigation. So, think about what you’re willing to put in to get the recovery that you deserve.
Develop the legal strategy that is right for you
There’s certainly a lot on the line in a personal injury case, which is why you should make sure that you’re being proactive in building the case that you need. That means gathering evidence and presenting strong arguments in light of the law. If you’d like assistance in doing that, then now is the time to reach out to an attorney of your choosing.