Insurance companies often keep their purse strings tight, and it comes at a cost to personal injury victims. While bringing your car accident claim to court gives you the opportunity to obtain a larger award, it comes with stress and often high expenses. Going to trial can give you the opportunity to present your case in front of a jury, allowing a group of your peers to hear your side of the story.
In this blog, our Port St. Lucie car accident lawyers outline the numerous advantages of settling your car accident claim outside of court.
How Much Will the Insurance Company Offer Me?
The amount that the insurance company is willing to offer you will depend on the defendant’s policy limits. If the insurance company believes that the evidence weighs heavily in your favor, then they may offer you a settlement that reaches the at-fault driver’s full policy limits. If the settlement does account for the entirety of your damages, your attorney may advise you to settle.
Accepting a Settlement Offer
In accepting a settlement offer, you will be prohibited from pursuing any further compensation on your claim. The insurance company will typically have you sign a form waiving your right to recover further damages. An insurance company’s first offer is usually much less than the worth of your case. Even if you believe that the offer is fair, before you accept anything, you should speak with a car accident lawyer. Our Port St. Lucie car accident attorneys have experience negotiating with the claims adjusters. We believe that effective negotiations equate to more of an art than a science. Our team of lawyers knows how to communicate with the insurance company to get the compensation that is rightfully due to you.
Benefits of Taking a Settlement Offer
Generally, accepting a settlement offer comes with the following benefits:
Timely Resolution of Your Case
In a lawsuit, both sides will exchange information in a formal process known as discovery. If you decide to take your case to trial, the discovery timeline may last anywhere from several months to a year. Although Florida Rules of Civil Procedure mandate that both parties must exchange mandatory information (in a lawsuit referred to as “initial discovery disclosures”) within 60 days of the service of the complaint, there is no time limit on how long the entire process may take. In settling your case before filing a lawsuit, you save yourself from dealing with lengthy litigation.
Reduced Stress
There is no denying that going to trial can be stressful. Emotions often run high at trial since you will likely be hearing the defendant’s version of events (no matter how wrong the person’s testimony might be)! Additionally, your attorney will need to prepare you for the witness stand. Cross examination (when the opposing counsel questions you) can be intimidating. The defendant’s attorney may attempt to twist your words, leaving you flustered. Retaining your composure is crucial to a jury taking your testimony seriously.
Saves Money
Heading to court comes with various costs, from filing fees, service fees, expert witness fees, and even fees to pay the court reporter. If you settle your case before heading to trial, your pocketbook will thank you.
Keeps Your Information Private
Court hearings are considered public records, meaning that your private information will be known to the public. By settling your case outside of court, your information will remain confidential.
Avoids The Uncertainty of Trial
In accepting a settlement offer, you have control over your award amount. If you head to trial, you risk having the jury side with the defendant or ruling in your favor but simply awarding you less than you deserve.
Consult with Our Port St. Lucie Car Accident Lawyers
At Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa, our team of personal injury lawyers are committed to helping you recover the amount you deserve following a crash. We have proudly assisted the residents of Port St. Lucie and southeast Florida with their personal injury claims for over three decades, bettering the lives of many. Our experienced team believes that nobody should be held financially responsible for an accident caused by another’s negligence. To schedule a meeting with one of our Port St. Lucie car accident attorneys, contact us online or give us a call.