Whether a person suffers injuries on a job, in an auto accident, or while visiting a business, they will most likely face high financial costs. To help alleviate some of the financial burden that accidents cause, victims often pursue legal claims against those at fault. In Oklahoma, thousands of people take legal action after being injured in accidents each year.
If you were wondering, “why does a judge prefer a settlement over a trial?” The simple answer is that it helps to reduce an already backlogged civil court system. Settling a personal injury claim instead of taking a lawsuit to court provides many benefits for victims, litigants, and the entire court system. Seeking legal guidance to help you achieve a full and fair settlement can be critical when it comes to regaining your quality of life after being injured.
Why do Lawyers Want to Settle Out of Court?
Most personal injury lawyers prefer to settle injury lawsuits before stepping foot inside the courtroom. As a result, the percentage of cases that settle before trial is quite significant. Nearly 95% of personal injury lawsuits settle without ever going to trial. The main reason to push for a fair settlement is that it guarantees a favorable outcome for injury clients.
Going to trial is costly and time-consuming. There is also a risk that evidence may be found during the discovery process that could jeopardize a victim’s chances of recovering. All these negative factors can be eliminated by reaching a fair settlement during the negotiation process.
Defense attorneys are more likely to settle without going to trial simply because it costs them less money to do so. Negotiating a fair settlement for an injury victim is important, so they can get the money to cover all current and projected expenses related to their accidents.
Although there is no specific timeline for a personal injury lawsuit, going to trial can take several months or even years to reach a verdict. The trial process is also very costly. Avoiding a courtroom battle can help you save money as well as time. Settling outside of court allows victims to recover full compensation for their damages quicker so they can rebuild their lives.
Maximizing Your Award for Damages
If you are wondering how to increase settlement value on a personal injury case, it is essential to understand how a settlement award works. An award for damages is based on the economic and non-economic impacts a victim suffers due to their accident. Awards for economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and property damages, are based on the calculated total of actual expenses that a victim faces following their accident.
Non-economic damages are awarded based on the accident's impact on a victim’s life. It is important to prove the extent of pain and suffering, mental anguish, and distress that a victim suffered from their accident. Victims who are left permanently disabled or disfigured generally receive higher non-economic awards for their lawsuit because their injuries will impact them indefinitely. The evidence gathered on behalf of a victim will play a critical role.
To increase the settlement value on a personal injury case, it is essential to fully calculate the total economic damages you face and prove the non-economic damages you suffered. A skilled personal injury lawyer from Jeff Martin Law will be able to help you prove your damages and demand total compensation on your behalf.
Contact Jeff Martin Law Today
The last thing you want to worry about following an accident is fighting with the insurance company to get the money you need for medical expenses and other losses. We understand how difficult it can be to recover from physical and emotional injuries. Rather than attempting to navigate the legal system alone, reach out to our team at Jeff Martin Law at your earliest convenience.
Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are committed to helping clients get all the money they deserve following their accidents. Our lawyers know how to talk with insurance companies, and we continually deliver the results that our clients need and deserve for their legal claims.
You can reach out to our personal injury law firm in Tulsa, Oklahoma to schedule a free consultation. Contact our dedicated legal team today to see how we can help you.