Many victims accept unfair insurance settlements simply because they believe a civil case will be too expensive or time-consuming.
Here is a look at a few steps that you can take to make sure that you receive a fair settlement in or out of court.
Understand Your Rights
If you were injured because of someone else’s carelessness or negligence, then you deserve compensation. Depending on where the accident took place, you might receive compensation even if it is determined that you were partially responsible for the accident.
Spending a little bit of time researching your rights and responsibilities could end up saving you a tremendous amount of time and money later on. You should be able to find free legal resources online, at a local DMV, or at the county courthouse.
Start Keeping Records
Every bit of information that is pertinent to your injury must be saved and kept in a safe location. That data will be invaluable to your legal team as they create an airtight case for the trial or mediation process.
Your team will need information such as the names of everyone involved, medical bills, your doctor’s diagnosis, a timeline of the injury, and firsthand accounts of the accident. Winning your case is going to be nearly impossible without that information.
Consider Mediation
Mediation is a good option for some people, but there are a few things to consider before accepting a settlement. The at-fault party’s insurance provider and legal team will do everything in their power to pay out as little as possible, and they might offer you a lump sum right away just to avoid a trial.
Accepting that lump sum will restrict your legal rights in the future, and that is why you should have an attorney by your side during the mediation process.
Take a Look at Contingent Fee Arrangements
Many attorneys, such as Blomberg Benson & Garrett, offer contingent fee arrangements to those who are involved in personal injury cases. With one of these arrangements, the lawyer will not be paid unless they win the case, and that means you won’t have to worry about paying any fees until an agreement has been reached.
The legal fees are generally taken directly out of the settlement, and the overall percentage is determined before the client hires the attorney.
You should never feel as if your back is against a wall following a serious accident or injury. There are many different ways to receive fair compensation as long as you explore all of your options and spend some time researching your rights.
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