For most people, receiving a personal injury settlement offer following an injury in Georgia is good news that carries with it one big question: Should I accept this offer? The following are three key questions to help you evaluate a personal injury settlement.
Will the Amount Cover Your Past and Future Accident-Related Expenses?
The financial impact of an accident leading to personal injuries can be devastating and long lasting. When considering an offer, make sure it covers all your past, current, and future, accident-related expenses including:
- Past medical expenses;
- Future medical expenses;
- Lost wages from time out of work;
- Future lost wages from impact of accident; and
- Damage to your car or other property.
If the settlement amount does not, at a minimum, cover these costs, then it is too low. If you were not at fault, you should not be responsible for the costs you’ve incurred as a result of the accident.
How Much Pain and Suffering Has the Accident Caused?
If you’ve been injured in a car crash or other accident, you know that your losses incorporate more than just the financial losses. There’s the physical pain, anxiety, and mental suffering that you endured during your recovery from the accident. The emotional pain and suffering that often comes with having your life change in an instant is often more debilitating than the actual physical injuries. Common post-accident physical and emotional issues include headaches, nerve pain, back pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Although a settlement cannot undo the accident, it should fully compensate you for your losses, including the pain and suffering you experienced.
How Strong Is Your Case?
When deciding whether to accept a Georgia personal injury settlement offer, you should consider the strength of your case. For a variety of reasons, some personal injury actions are harder to prove. If there are substantial hurdles in your case, for example, conflicting accounts of what occurred and no witnesses, then you have a higher risk of walking away with nothing if you turn down the offer and go to trial. In contrast, if you have a strong case, you may get less if you accept a low settlement offer and don’t go to trial.
When in Doubt: Ask Your Lawyer
Whether to accept a personal injury settlement is completely your decision. However, your attorney can help provide you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision. Ask your attorney whether they think the offer is fair, why they think that, and whether they think you could do better at trial. Attorneys like the ones here at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, who focus on Georgia personal injury cases, have the real world experience that is necessary to determine whether a settlement is reasonable. They know what is fair and what is not fair and they can help you decide on a counter-offer and negotiate on your behalf.
If you haven’t already obtained a Georgia personal injury attorney, you can still hire one after you’ve received a settlement offer. Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter at 833-LEGALGA to set up a free consultation with one of our caring, experienced attorneys. We’d love to discuss your case, your rights, and your options with you.
