Car and truck accident cases usually result in resolution before ever heading to trial. This can provide a victim with a quick infusion of cash and help them move on with their life more quickly. However, not all settlements are appropriate for crash victims. After all, the other side hopes to get past the lawsuit with as little damage as possible. They are not interested in making you whole.
Therefore, before sitting down at the negotiation table, you have to have a sound strategy in hand. To develop a strategy, you have to consider a number of factors, including each of the following:
- The extent of your damages: You can’t tell if a settlement offer is appropriate if you don’t know the value of your case. Therefore, you need to carefully analyze all of your damages, both those that are economic and noneconomic in nature. Consider not only your incurred medical expenses and lost wages, but also those that you anticipate in the future. This may require an expert’s opinion, but it’s important to be armed with that information before sitting down at the negotiation table. Also, think about how your injuries have affected your enjoyment of life. The clearer the picture you paint, the more likely you are to increase your recovery of noneconomic damages.
- The defense’s arguments: The defendant is probably going to rely on some pretty specific arguments to make you think that your case is weaker than it is. This might include arguments of contributory negligence, which can significantly reduce your recovery if you go to trial and are found to be at fault to a certain extent. That’s why you need to be prepared to defend yourself before sitting down at the negotiation table.
- How similar cases have played out: No two personal injury cases are the same, but there are usually similarities between them. Therefore, you might be able to see how judges and juries have handled similar cases to get a better sense of your likelihood of success at trial. You can then use this case law to support your position at the negotiation table and push for a larger recovery.
- How quickly you want to move on: A lot of people who are injured in a car or truck accident simply want to find accountability and recover compensation as quickly as possible so that they can move on with their life. Others are willing to wait as long as it takes to get the maximum recovery possible. What do you want and need? If you need a quick infusion of cash to meet your financial needs, then a settlement offer might look more appealing to you.
Know how to build the strongest case possible
To maximize your chances of obtaining the outcome you deserve, you need to know the law and how to aggressively apply it to your set of facts. You have to be able to anticipate the defense’s arguments and counter them effectively. You should know what you want and have a roadmap for how to get there.
That might all sound daunting, but you don’t have to address these matters on your own. Skilled personal injury law firms like ours stand ready to assist you in developing the legal strategy that you need, starting well before you ever sit down at the negotiation table. If you think that you could benefit from that kind of assistance, then now may be the time to reach out to a law firm that you think can give you the zealous advocacy you need and deserve.