Should I Settle My Personal Injury Claim?
Posted Friday, August 27, 2021 by Chris Thayer
If you suffered an injury due to another’s negligence, there is no telling what you are feeling right now. You might be angry, overwhelmed, or just focused on trying to get by. There is no right way to feel in the aftermath of an accident, and there is no playbook for how to handle it or what to do moving forward. One option is bringing a personal injury lawsuit. A successful personal injury lawsuit can restore you to the position you would have been in financially had the accident never occurred. You can receive compensation through an award decided in court by a jury or through a settlement. If you are currently contemplating whether to accept a settlement or take your chances at trial, the following explores some of the benefits of settling outside of court.
The information in this article is intended to be general. However, if you would like personalized feedback based on your specific situation, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Pivotal Law Group are ready to help and encourage you to schedule a consultation.
*Considerations When Settling Your Personal Injury Claim *There are a number of benefits to settling your personal injury claim. The cost is that you miss out on getting a higher settlement in court. Granted, you are also eliminating the possibility of getting nothing in court. Whether settling your particular case will be the right choice for you depends on your specific circumstances. However, these points below may help you in making your decision.
- You need money now. For many who are overwhelmed by medical costs and may be unable to work, getting money fast is the most important outcome in bringing a lawsuit. In this situation, reaching a settlement is ideal and far more effective than going to trial. Trials can be lengthy and even after an award is reached it will likely be appealed. It can be a matter of years from the time you file the lawsuit to when you have the money. A settlement, on the other hand, can be concluded and paid out in a matter of weeks or months depending on the length of the negotiations. If both parties are motivated it can be a quicker process.
- There are no surprises. When you go to court, you never know what will happen. Juries are unpredictable and it is hard to know what curveballs the other side will throw, particularly if they have extensive legal resources. When your livelihood depends on getting a settlement, avoiding the high-stakes risk posed by court and accepting a settlement that you can be sure meets your needs can be an excellent and highly responsible choice.
- Save Money. Litigation is expensive and trials are costly. Trials of this nature can be lengthy and rack up huge legal fees, all of which deplete the final award amount. By settling, you can save a lot of money as well as effort and resources.
*Talk to a Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Today *If you have been injured in an accident in Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Burien, Mercer Island, Issaquah, or the greater Washington State area, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Pivotal Law Group are ready to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.