The ultimate objective in a personal injury case is to seek a comprehensive settlement, one that includes all of the financial support you deserve for the injuries and losses someone else caused you.

Insurance companies will approach you with a settlement offer, but before you agree to them, it is critical that you know how to read the settlement and determine if it really does represent your best interests.

Before you settle, set up a free consultation with a Nationwide personal injury lawyer from Zinda Law Group so we can review your settlement.

Before You Settle, Know the Details of the Offer

Personal injury claims are complex, involving several elements. Fair compensation should consider present and future losses, the details of the insurance policy, and other miscellaneous factors unique to your claim. In addition, many first-time settlement offers by an insurance agent do not include all intangible losses suffered after an accident.

Experienced attorneys know what to consider before agreeing to a settlement. They can examine the offer and highlight any missing elements, like the physical and emotional pain after an accident or how the injuries have affected your home and personal life. They can also help you estimate the total cost of your injuries.

Serious injuries can lead to complications, requiring even more medical treatment and recovery time. In addition, some injuries have long-lasting effects that can reduce your quality of life. Zinda Law Group has helped thousands of people throughout their recovery secure fair and just compensation. 

Let an Experienced Attorney Help You Determine the True Value of Your Claim

It is common for victims to not know the true value of their losses. Tangible and intangible losses are complex and difficult to estimate a fair value.

Speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney from Zinda Law Group can help you account for all your physical, financial, and emotional losses. 

What Are Damages in a Settlement? 

The physical and emotional losses you suffer in an accident are referred to as damages in personal injury claims. The tangible losses often include property damage and injuries, the costs of which are reflected in various medical bills and lost income if you are unable to work. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be entitled to:

• Reimbursement for medical bills, including treatment, hospital stays, prescriptions, and physical rehabilitation
• Damage to personal property, like your car
• Lost wages for the time you took off to recover
• Loss of future income should your injuries prove debilitating to the point you cannot sustain your current professional position
• Household assistance

The Emotional Trauma from the Incident

Emotional trauma is a significant factor in any personal injury lawsuit and is often overlooked in a first settlement offer. Emotional trauma may present itself as PTSD, severe sleep problems, or serious and constant anxiety.

Emotional distress damages play a significant role in compensation, though they are difficult to estimate accurately without the help of an attorney well-versed in losses pertaining to mental anguish. 

The Cost of Pursuing Litigation

While you may believe you are owed more in your personal injury case, it is important to consider the cost related to pursuing litigation through a lawsuit if the insurance company does not settle.

When you meet with our attorneys, we will explain those costs to you, which may include investigation costs, deposition-related fees, and court costs.

Remember that with our law firm, we do not charge you any attorney fees upfront, and we only do so if you win your case, so be sure to read through our personal injury lawyer reviews.

When to Consider Filing a Lawsuit in a Personal Injury Case

There are some situations in which filing a lawsuit instead of accepting a personal injury settlement is ideal and can lead to significantly higher compensation for your losses.

Take into consideration a few key reasons why you may want to seek a civil lawsuit instead of just a settlement. Know that our attorney will help you look at all factors to determine what the best situation is for your needs.

• You have not healed from your injuries yet, and your long-term recovery is not fully understood. Settling too soon could lead to serious financial loss if you do not heal fully.
• The insurance company is denying valid claims. In some situations, the insurance company will simply not accept claims you make for any reason, which may force the need to seek a lawsuit to recover those losses.
• Your losses are significantly more than what the settlement offer is. Negotiations can help to bring this value up, but there may be times when you need to seek legal action instead.

If you are not sure you should accept a settlement or move to a lawsuit, know that your personal injury attorney can answer all of your questions for you and provide you with the one-on-one support you need.

There is no reason not to meet with an attorney to discuss your case, even with a free consultation. Do not feel you have to settle if the insurance company is pressuring you, and you can learn more in our FAQs section.

Filing a Lawsuit May Not Mean Going to Court

If the insurance company is not acting in the right manner to provide fair settlements to you, filing a lawsuit may spur them to take action. It creates the requirement of obtaining a discovery period, which gives them the push to really conduct research in your case.

Many times, after that discovery process, the insurance company will agree to settle the case, avoiding court.

Schedule a Free Consultation to Discuss Your Case Before You Agree to Settle Your Case

There is no risk in reaching out to a personal injury attorney to get the legal guidance and support you need, including clarity on whether your insurance settlement offer is fair.

Before you settle, contact our offices for a case review. At Zinder Law Group, we always pursue full and fair compensation to support you through this entire process.