Television and film make it look like every case goes to trial. This simply isn’t the case in real life. In fact, most cases, including those involving personal injury, settle well before they get to trial. Settling a case can provide quick resolution and reasonably fast access to cash that is paid out from the settlement, but before accepting one of these offers you really have to ask yourself if that’s the best outcome you can get. After all, the other side is trying to get past the issue with as little damage done as possible.
Analyzing your settlement offer
Before taking that offer, you’ll want to think about whether doing so is really in your best interests. Here are some things to take into account:
- What your case is worth: Do your best to calculate your economic and non-economic losses. Once you have that figure, then you’ll have a clearer sense of just how reasonable your offer is and whether it’s enough to suit your needs.
- The evidence: If you’ve got strong evidence, then your chances of success at trial are higher. This might make it a better idea to litigate your case so that you can recover as much compensation for your losses as possible . If, on the other hand, the evidence is questionable, then you might be better served to cautiously negotiate the best settlement you can.
- The time, effort, and stress: Taking a case to trial is exhausting for some people, while others are riddled with anxiety. Some personal injury victims simply want to move past this chapter in their life as quickly as possible, but litigation can take a long time. If you’re willing and able to hold out, then litigation can certainly be worth it in some circumstances. If you’re not, then negotiating a settlement might be your better option.
Legal assistance to suit your needs is available
Regardless of how you want to handle your case, experienced attorneys stand ready to advocate for you, providing you with the guidance that you need along the way so that you can make fully informed decisions. This includes helping you analyze, negotiation, and litigate your case with knowledge and competence.
