Knowing When to Hold’em.
It’s important to know the process of settling a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident. Anyone who is involved in a car accident knows how difficult it can be to pursue the at-fault driver for damages in the court system and going through the process of settling an injury lawsuit after a car accident. What many people may not realize until it is too late is that with most car accidents, the driver who caused the accident will not necessarily need to obtain a lawyer. That’s because his or her insurance company will be part of it. Fighting an insurance company can be a long and drawn-out process.
It leads many victims of reckless drivers to settle their cases for far less than they need to cover the damage from the accident. There are a few things to know before settling an settling an injury lawsuit after a car accident, especially if the accident was caused by a drunk driver.
The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you have significant experience in helping clients with settling an injury lawsuit after a car accident. Our offices are conveniently located in nearby Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person at our nearby offices, over the phone, or video call. You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.
By the way, we will also help with other problems that have cost you sleep, like getting a rental car very soon and finding a nearby doctor who can help you. Even the best legal team isn’t good enough if your quality of life isn’t sustainable while justice and compensation are on the way. The whole point of legal action is to regain quality of life, so we help you long-term as attorneys and short-term as your go-to people. Our familiarity with the local Phoenix courts makes us confident that we can help you get the best settlement possible.
The Settlement Game- Settling an Injury Lawsuit after a Car Accident
As heartless as it may sound, settlement negotiations after a car accident are often merely part of a larger strategy. This may be by an insurance company to minimize the amount of money for which their client is liable. It is a game during which there will be behind-the-scenes discussions of cost/benefit analysis. This analysis will take into account how expensive it may be to take a case to trial versus what a victim will take for his or her claim to put things behind them. What many accident victims also fail to take into account is that some types of settlements are taxable when settling an injury lawsuit after a car accident and some are not.
While paying taxes is a factor over which the insurance company has no control (as it is within the purview of the IRS), what may be a point of discussion during negotiations is what form any settlement amounts may take. It is how the settlement is characterized (i.e. compensatory or punitive damages) that may affect whether a settlement amount is or is not taxable.
Just the Facts
When settling an injury lawsuit after a car accident, it is crucial to consider the unique aspects of each case to determine the facts and establish a fair settlement amount. To effectively engage in settlement discussions, it is essential for the victim to have a comprehensive understanding of the situation. This can only be achieved by being well-versed in the evidence that supports their recollection of events. It is important to review statements provided by witnesses who observed the accident and reported their observations. Additionally, any fault determination made in the police report should be taken into consideration when settling an injury lawsuit after a car accident.
In cases where a drunk driver caused an accident, the police department is responsible for investigating the accident. They should have information with regard to the reckless driver’s blood alcohol content and other evidence from the accident scene. Bringing facts and evidentiary support to settlement negotiations can give an accident victim the leverage that is important to obtain when settling an injury lawsuit after a car accident. This will fairly compensate them for the losses they incurred from the accident.
Conclusion
While it is not necessary to obtain a lawyer to negotiate a settlement agreement after a car accident, it is important to have all the information you need to make a knowledgeable decision. The professionals at the Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm are standing by with answers to any questions you may have about settlement and your legal rights after a car accident and to help you with settling an injury lawsuit after a car accident.
At Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you, we have more than 15 years of experience helping clients with settling an injury lawsuit after a car accident in the Phoenix area. When you’re ready to talk, please contact our office to arrange a free initial consultation by phone or at our Chandler office, conveniently located near you.
If you have been in an auto accident, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We provide personal injury legal services to clients in your area including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Peoria.
