The vast majority of personal injury cases settle before trial. If you have a personal injury case, you should therefore know how the settlement process works.
Settlement negotiation is just that; a negotiation. It is similar to buying a house or a car. You, the injured person, are the seller and the insurance company or person liable for your injuries is the buyer. Just like buying a house or a car, as the seller, you begin the negotiation by coming up with an asking price, called a settlement demand. If they are willing to buy, or settle, your case, the insurance company or other person then responds with an offer. You then go back and forth until you reach a mutually agreeable amount.
If you can't reach an agreeable number, or if the insurance company
or other person doesn't want to make an offer to settle the case,
then you will have to let a jury or judge decide what you should get,
if anything, at trial. There are many, many factors to consider in deciding
what your initial demand should be and whether you should settle your
case or go to trial. It is therefore important to hire an experienced
Kansas City personal injury lawyer to guide you through the process. I always discuss these factors in detail
with my clients so they are well-informed during this process.
If you have suffered an injury and you believe another person is at fault, please
contact our office to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options.