If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you’re probably wondering whether it’s worth pursuing a settlement for the damages you’ve sustained. Most people are able to handle negotiating a settlement themselves, especially if it’s just a minor accident. However, if damages are too high to the point that it’s crippling your finances, physical health, and mental health, it may be time to get a lawyer –a really good one.

Before they can help you out, they will need a lot of information from you. This will assist them fighting the settlement you are asking for. More often than not, it is your lawyer who will tell you what you can expect based on damages you’ve acquired. The damages you may be compensated include the following:

Economic damages

These are financial losses acquired from the accident. Car repairs/replacement, medical bills, loss of income are some examples of economic damages that will be accounted for by your lawyer. Sometimes, you need to wait a little longer before you can get a true estimate of the damages you need to pay for.

Your lawyer may advise that you wait until you’re fully healed before you begin pursuing the case. They’ll also look at the income or profits you lost in the time that you were could not work because of the accident.

Non-economic damages

This type of loss is harder to compute since it relates to less tangible damages like pain or trauma. It’s quite a delicate area of concern and should be discussed thoroughly with your lawyer.

Will the defendant be able to pay for the settlement?

So, you already have a ballpark estimate of how much the settlement will cost. The question is, will the defendant be able to pay for it? More often than not, it is their insurance company who will pay for the settlement. If the defendant is earning an income or possesses several assets, your lawyer will investigate that too. They should be considering these very important factors otherwise, there is no point fighting for a settlement that the defendant cannot afford to pay.

Let’s say that the insurance company does cover the settlement. Before reaching an agreement, they will also do their best to argue that the car accident was not completely their client’s fault. Remember that insurance companies are still a business and their main goal is to make money. A higher settlement means more loss to their business.

A good lawyer can help strengthen your case by collecting as much evidence to prove liability and damages. This can include medical records, bills, dash cam footage, photographs, witness statements, police reports, and etc.

The Sanders Firm is one such law firm that understands how complicated it can be to argue with insurance companies. They are masters at scrutinizing facts and evidence from car accidents to help clients get the best settlement possible. In the last five years alone, the firm has procured over $100 million dollars in settlement in behalf for their clients. This says a lot about what difference an experienced lawyer can do to strengthen your case’ worth.

Once all the data has been collected, insurance companies have the option of accepting the settlement or reducing it. It is up to you and your lawyer whether you accept it. Remember though that insurance companies will decide what is best for them. If you do not agree, they may either settle for what you want or fight back against you. It’s all a matter or whether they think it is worth the time and fees to file a lawsuit.