How does a car accident victim in Brusly know if their settlement offer is fair?

Brusly, LA – A settlement to end a car accident lawsuit should give the victim sufficient compensation to cover their current and future losses. The amount contained in the settlement is the final amount the client will ever get for their accident, so it is especially important that they receive all of the necessary financial help. Specific amounts tend to vary based on things like the costs of their medical treatment, along with how badly the person was injured. The figure that is necessary to reach a fair settlement agreement should be discussed with the help of a local accident lawyer.

The purpose of settlement agreements

A plaintiff in a lawsuit expects to get an amount in a settlement that is similar to a jury verdict at trial. The jury would hear evidence related to all of the plaintiff’s losses and costs related to their car crash, and use this information during deliberations. However, trials in accident lawsuits have become extremely rare, so the process of negotiating a settlement is very important when it is not necessary for a case to go through the trial process.

Summarizing damages

A lawsuit lists all of the plaintiff’s damages and losses when it is initially filed. The settlement should ideally cover all areas that were listed in the plaintiff’s statement for relief when the lawsuit was filed. This is usually a combination of economic losses tied to medical costs and lost wages, non-economic damages for pain and suffering, and punitive damages if applicable used to punish the defendant for malicious behavior. A fair settlement will reflect the plaintiff’s expected costs that were listed along with all of these kinds of damages. While it may not be realistic for the plaintiff to get every dollar they want out of a settlement, the victim and their attorney should try to come up with a figure or range of amounts that are acceptable, and negotiate to ensure that this amount is actually paid out through the settlement.

The timeline to receive a settlement

Settlement offers in injury cases tend to only be accepted after the case has progressed significantly and most of the relevant information has been exchanged through the discovery process. On average, this can take somewhere between a few months and a couple of years. However, a client who was to ensure that they receive a sufficient amount may need to be patient to receive a fair offer.

Accident attorneys are available in Louisiana

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf is an accident firm that helps victims with the process of receiving compensation. Anyone who needs assistance in the Brusly area or other parts of Louisiana can contact the firm to schedule a meeting about bringing a lawsuit.

Firm contact info:

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf

3960 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

225-343-2205