Settlements
In a settlement, the defendant will pay an amount of money in exchange for you dropping the case. If you choose to settle your case with the other party, you won’t even have to file a personal injury lawsuit. A lawyer can help you evaluate your settlement options. But it is ultimately your decision whether or not you want to settle.
Settling the Case
If injuries are minor or medical bills were low, it may be best to settle. Your attorney will use their discretion in deciding whether or not to negotiate and settle. A lawyer should not negotiate until the injured party has reached “maximum medical improvement” (MMI). Until this happens, a lawyer cannot be certain of the damages the client might be entitled to. It might take a long time for the injured party to reach his or her MMI, but it is certainly worth the wait.
The good thing about settling your case is that you won’t have to go through the trial process. Taking your case to trial can be expensive, time consuming, and nerve wracking. You also don’t have to go through the uncertainty of a trial. You will be guaranteed compensation in a settlement. But in a trial, a judge might deny you compensation or not give you as much as you think that you deserve. But, settling your case has its drawbacks as well. You usually won’t get as much money when you settle as you would if you took your case to trial.
It is important to consider all of your options before deciding to settle or file a lawsuit. For assistance with this process, you can contact our office.