After a car crash, slip and fall, or any other type of accident, you may be eligible for compensation. You can file a lawsuit against any negligent, or careless, party that caused your accident. People are sometimes hesitant to file a personal injury claim because they do not want to go through a long and drawn-out court battle. Fortunately, the vast majority of personal injury cases settle out of court. If you have never been through the process before, you may not understand how personal injury settlements work. Below, our Tacoma personal injury lawyer explains what you need to know.
Understanding Personal Injury Settlements
After an accident, you will likely have to deal with an insurance company. This may be an auto insurance company, an insurer that provides property insurance, or another type of insurance company. Shortly after your accident, the insurance company will likely contact you and offer a settlement. These settlement offers are never enough to fully cover the cost of your injuries and other losses. You should never accept a settlement offer from an insurance company until you have spoken to a Washington personal injury lawyer.
Average Amounts of Personal Injury Settlements
No one can determine the amount of any personal injury settlement until they have fully reviewed the facts of a specific case. Still, the average personal injury settlement ranges between $3,000 and $75,000. Working with a Washington personal injury lawyer is the best way to accurately evaluate your claim so you can obtain full and fair damages for your injuries and other losses. The damages available in personal injury settlements include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses, in a wrongful death case
- Property damages
When Can You Accept a Personal Injury Settlement?
Personal injury settlements can be reached at any point during your case. Again, the insurance company will likely offer you a settlement right away. It is not usually recommended that you accept this offer, as an attorney can negotiate a better settlement offer. A settlement can be reached at any point during your case. Even if you have not been successful with negotiations and you have to go to trial, negotiations will continue and a settlement can be reached at any time during the trial, as long as the judge or jury has not made a final decision.
Getting the Most Out of Your Personal Injury Settlement
The more you can prove that someone else was at fault for your accident and that you do not carry any fault, the higher the settlement you will receive. Strong evidence is needed for this and it may include:
- The accident or police report
- Eyewitness testimony
- Billing statements and receipts for medical expenses and other losses
- Medical reports
- Pictures and video footage of the accident scene
Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Washington Can Help You Obtain a Fair Settlement
To obtain the most from a settlement, you need the help of an experienced Washington personal injury lawyer. At Alliance Law Group, our seasoned attorneys will negotiate aggressively with the other side to ensure you receive the full and fair settlement you are entitled to. Call us now at 253-300-2055 or email us to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.