What Is The Key To A Big Personal Injury Settlement?

What Is The Key To A Big Personal Injury Settlement?

The key to a big personal injury settlement often involves several factors, including:

1. Strong Evidence: Building a strong case with clear evidence, such as medical records, witness statements, photographs, and documentation of the accident. This might be the largest factor in getting a big personal injury settlement.
2. Liability: Establishing the other driver’s liability is crucial. If it’s clear that the other party is at fault, it will strengthen your case and tip the scales toward a larger settlement.
3. Extent of Injuries: The severity and long-term impact of your injuries affect settlement value. Significant injuries that result in high medical bills, ongoing treatment, and reduced quality of life may lead to larger insurance payouts.
4. Lost Income: If your injuries caused you to miss work or resulted in a permanent disability affecting your earning capacity, this may be factored into the settlement amount.
5. Negotiation Skills: An experienced attorney can play a crucial role in negotiating a favorable settlement. They can assess the value of your case, negotiate with the other party’s representatives, and advocate on your behalf.
6. Insurance Coverage: The applicable insurance policies and their policy limits significantly impact the potential settlement value of your claim. You cannot have a big personal injury settlement if the applicable insurance policies have low limits.
7. Legal Representation: Hiring a skilled personal injury attorney can increase the likelihood of a big insurance payout. They will know how to navigate the legal complexities of your case, negotiate effectively, and best represent your interests.

In most cases, it is vital to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to get advice tailored to your specific situation. Keep in mind that each case is unique, and outcomes vary based on numerous factors.

Your Insurance Payout Could Increase If You Have Patience

The injuries you suffered in the accident may be severe, and the medical costs are almost as bad. You are waiting for the insurance company to do the right thing and offer you fair compensation, but you may be waiting a while.

Injuries cause billions of dollars in costs every year. If you’re one of the millions of people suffering after an accident, you’re likely waiting on an insurance payout to help with your recovery. While payment could be coming, you’re probably looking at a long wait while the process plays out.

A slow build

The road to recovery can be a long, but necessary journey:

• Building a claim: The first step in the process is likely putting your case together. Compiled evidence and collected medical records will have to be carefully looked over to see if you have a strong enough case. You may even need to finish medical treatment first to make sure you receive full compensation.
• Insurer’s process: The insurance company will likely go through their process following your accident. They’ll usually do their own interviews, evidence collection, and numbers crunching. They may not deny your claim outright, but rather try to determine an amount they’re willing to pay.
• Negotiations: Your insurer may be looking to cut the process short by offering you an amount well below what you’re expecting. This money can often be tempting if the medical costs are starting to tower over you, which is what they’re looking for. If they can’t meet your number, then it might be time to file suit.
• Discovering facts: Even when you’ve officially submitted a lawsuit, you’ll generally have to wait for the discovery process to unfold. This time period could include further interviews and document requests as both sides decide on how to best proceed with their case. The more complex the case, and the higher the stakes, the longer this part can take.

It could take years for your case to make it to court, and you may have a bit more waiting to do once you get there. Understanding how long the process takes can be crucial in planning for success. Make sure you know what you’re in for, and you could be on your way to getting the compensation you deserve.

Factors Influencing The Size Of Your Personal Injury Settlement

In addition to the factors identified above, the following factors can contribute to a big personal injury settlement:

1. Pain and Suffering: In addition to medical expenses and lost wages, compensation for pain and suffering can make up a significant portion of a jury verdict or settlement.
2. Future Medical Costs: If your injuries require ongoing medical treatment, surgeries, or rehabilitation, these future medical costs may be factored into the settlement.
3. Pre-existing Conditions: Pre-existing health conditions often complicate personal injury settlements, but a skilled attorney can help establish how the accident exacerbated or worsened your pre-existing conditions.
4. Jurisdiction: The laws regarding personal injury cases vary by jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions may have more favorable jury pools, while other jurisdictions have conservative jurors or caps on damages.
5. Adverse Effects on Quality of Life: If your injuries significantly affect your daily life, hobbies, or relationships, this will likely lead to a larger personal injury settlement.
6. Recklessness or Gross Negligence: If the other party’s actions were particularly reckless or grossly negligent, it may result in a higher settlement. Such egregious conduct could also lead to punitive damages.
7. Expert Witnesses: Expert testimony can strengthen your case. Experts in fields such as medicine and accident reconstruction can provide powerful testimony to support your claim.

Again, it’s important to note that every personal injury case is unique, and the specific circumstances surrounding your case will influence the potential settlement value. Consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney is crucial to understanding your rights, building a strong case, and getting the compensation you deserve.

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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