For all the car accident victims out there – getting the maximum recovery settlement is not an easy task and you need to know all the ins and outs of this process. Luckily, we’re here to help! Follow these 6 steps and you will be able to get your case settled for top dollar.
1. Have The Right Legal Guidance
Having a reliable lawyer is one of the most important steps in getting the entire settlement amount you deserve. Your lawyer will help you determine what kind of injuries you sustained, whether there were any previous medical records, how much time it will take for you to recuperate, etc. After conducting the necessary research on law firms in your area in Tennessee, you are bound to find the right car accident attorney in Jonesborough or in another location nearby as it’s necessary to work with a law firm that is familiar with state laws and local regulations so that you know exactly what you will need to deal with during the settlement case.
2. Conduct The Necessary Investigation Work
Besides looking to see if you have a solid case, it’s important to look into the other party as well. This should be done by your lawyer, but make sure to give them as much information as possible – personal background, driving records, criminal history (if any), etc. It’s also beneficial if you keep a diary of all symptoms and health issues that occurred because of this car accident. That way, your lawyer will be able to tell exactly what kind of treatment plan is needed to help strengthen your case.
3. Determine Your Desired Settlement Amount
It’s very difficult for an attorney to determine exactly how much you can recover from a settlement at first. They usually take a close look at the previous cases involving similar circumstances and injuries sustained before they can determine a rough figure. While your lawyer will try to get you as much money as possible for this settlement, they still have to remain realistic and ensure that he/she is being fair to both parties involved. Keep in mind that no amount of money can ever replace the pain that you sustained from the car accident or change any of what happened.
4. Negotiate A Settlement
This settlement amount has not been determined yet and it’s up to you and your attorney (in conjunction with the other party) how much it will be. This is when your attorney starts working his/her magic – through negotiation skills, experience in similar cases, background information on the other party, etc. Meetings usually involve both parties talking about what has happened and what each party wants. Since car accident cases can be very emotional, it is best to have a strong negotiator on your side, the one with experience in these types of cases. The negotiation process should determine the final agreement between both parties and take about 2 weeks.
5. Proceed To Lawsuit If Negotiation Fails
If negotiations fail and both parties cannot come up with an amicable settlement agreement that is beneficial to all of them, then you will need to proceed to the lawsuit. This step should only be done if absolutely necessary because this usually takes a long time and requires a lot of work from your attorney’s end. An advantage when proceeding to a lawsuit would be that the settlement amount could increase depending on how the case progresses during the trial process – which means more money for you! Especially when filing a lawsuit, you are going to need a competent law firm to take care of the lawsuit and keep to the agreement.
6. Take The Settlement Money
Once the settlement is finalized and both parties agree, your lawyer will arrange for you to receive payment. This can be done in a lump sum (the entire settlement amount at once) or through installment payments (where your lawyer receives a certain percentage of the settlement and pays it out to you over time). The money that you receive from this case should cover all medical bills, pain, and suffering, loss of income, etc. Remind yourself every day that no amount of money can ever replace what you have gone through during this car accident.
You should constantly remind yourself that no amount of money can ever replace what you have gone through during a car accident. However, we hope we were able to help you figure out exactly how to get the maximum settlement amount! It’s important for both parties (lawyer and client) in a settlement case of any kind to determine a solid and beneficial agreement for both sides.