If you got injured in an accident, you may worry about hiring a lawyer to guide you through the personal injury claims process. You may imagine attorneys yelling at each other in court. However, did you know that most personal injury cases don’t make it to court? If you have been hurt due to another person’s negligence, you must speak with a Salem Oregon personal injury lawyer to know your legal options and how you can get the settlement or compensation you deserve without going to trial.
Factors that Can Impact Your Claim
You and the insurance company of the responsible party can benefit when you can resolve your claims outside of the courtroom. Thus, if you have a skilled lawyer on your side, you can negotiate for the compensation you need. The following factors can determine whether your case goes to court or not:
- Your lawyer’s skills. An experienced injury lawyer is aware of the ins and outs of a difficult negotiation. Insurers spend plenty of money determining ways to deprive accident victims of the compensation they deserve and lawyers spend a great deal of time looking for ways to hold insurance providers accountable. The best lawyer to hire knows when to push more and when to pull back. Also, they know when exactly to call off negotiations.
- The insurance company’s flexibility. Although the majority of insurance providers will do everything they can to avoid a court case, some may not want to settle claims. Some insurers may refuse no matter how reasonable the opposing lawyer is.
- The complexity of your claim. If your injury claim is cut and dry, the insurance company may prefer o settle it quickly. But, if liability is not clear, it may take their chances in trials.
- The worth of your claim. The more expensive your injury claim is, the more the insurance company may fight.
Should You Settle or Not?
The decision to settle varies by case. Sometimes, the final offer of the insurance company is very low and you may want to go to court instead. But, in other cases, it might be best to settle if the offer is fair. This is the reason you need to work with a lawyer you can trust. Your lawyer must have seen many persona injury cases played out, so they know how your case may resolve. They know when it is best to settle and when you should take your case to court.