The goal in your personal injury case is to find accountability for the harm that’s ben caused to you and recover the compensation you need to cover your medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and non-economic damages. You might think that you can get all of that out of a settlement, but we urge you to exercise caution when presented with quick resolution to your personal injury case. After all, the defense doesn’t have your best interests at heart. Rather, they’re trying to get out of their predicament while paying as little as possible.
That’s why, as we discussed in a previous post, you shouldn’t immediately jump on an initial settlement offer. Instead, as you navigate negotiations, think through what you need for your settlement to be worthwhile and support your best interests.
How can you get the most out of your personal injury settlement?
Although you might need to deny an initial settlement offer to get the most out of your case as possible, it can be hard to determine the best way to advocate for a fair yet favorable outcome. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your personal injury settlement:
- Clearly present your evidence: Settlement negotiations should be aimed at convincing the defense that they’ll reduce their risk and save money by giving you the settlement you seek rather than taking the case to trial. To be as persuasive as possible, then, you need to articulate your evidence and how it’ll be stronger than that presented by the defense. So, gather all your evidence and figure out the best way to present it before sitting down at the negotiating table.
- Don’t forget about the future: A lot of the damages that you’ll experience probably haven’t hit you yet. So, slow down and think about how your accident injuries will impact you into the future. This includes your anticipated medical expenses and expected lost wages. If you can support these anticipated losses with strong evidence, such as expert opinions, then you’ll be in a better position to successfully argue for what you deserve.
- Avoid social media: Social media can be a great way to vent your emotions and find support, but it’s also very easy to unintentionally post a picture or statement that minimizes your injuries. The defense will likely latch onto these posts and use them against you. Something that you thought was innocent can then turn out to be catastrophic to your settlement and your claim. So, stay off social media if you can manage it.
- Know your case weaknesses: Virginia recognizes comparative negligence, which means that your ultimate recovery can be significantly reduced if you’re found to be partially to blame for the accident. If you understand where your claim is vulnerable in that regard, then you can develop responses that minimize comparative negligence or eliminates it altogether.
There are other ways that you can maximize your car accident settlement. Just be sure to discuss your strategy with your advocate so that you have a solid gameplan going into your case and its negotiations.
Work now to get the most out of your car accident settlement
The right car accident settlement isn’t just going to fall into your lap. You’re going to have to present compelling justifications for recovering what you seek, which is why now is the time to get to work building your case and your negotiation strategy. By doing so, you’ll hopefully secure an outcome that sets you on the path to reclaiming your health and your future.