Personal injury lawsuits can be scary for plenty of reasons. So many people go into them unsure of what to expect, worried that they’re wasting time, and questioning their own experiences: but it doesn’t have to be like this.
Before you go to court, you’ll likely be offered a settlement instead. These usually aren’t the full amount you want, but 90% of personal injury suits end in a settlement because of going to court.
Is this a good option for you? Here are the top things to consider.
Can You Afford a Court Case?
Unfortunately, a lot comes down to money. If you lose the case, would you be able to bear the financial burden that comes with that? Although many lawyers will offer to work with the promise that you only get charged by them if you win; you have to pay court fees, filing fees, and take time off to go to court.
In some cases, judges even have the person who loses the case cover the winning party’s costs if they feel the case was pointless or done in poor faith. Would you be able to handle this?
Do You Think You Would Win
If you didn’t settle and instead took this to court, do you think you’d win your case? This can be hard to tell in any definite way, but it’s good to think about when it comes to your own case.
Do you think you have a good chance at winning your case, or are there any risks that come with it? If you’re unsure about the outcome, it might not be a good idea to move forward with this.
Is It Worth it If You Win?
If you win the case, instead of settling, would the extra amount you gain be that much more? For instance, if they’re offering you a $50,000 settlement, and the won case would grab you $75,000, are you willing to risk it all for that extra $25,000?
Again, this is something to discuss with your personal injury lawyer, who could be the line between whether you win or lose.
Why do You want to Sue
Many people sue for hundreds of reasons: and most of them aren’t about money. In a case like a personal injury, a lot of people say that they’re suing to show people what happened to them and to make sure that it doesn’t happen to anyone else.
Is this the case for you? Or are you just suing to be able to get back to your normal life financially? It’s okay to be honest and to not martyr yourself.
What Does Your Lawyer Say?
Have you talked to a lawyer about your case? Do they think you’ll win, or is it more questionable?
Don’t be afraid to ask for their honest opinion; they’re as invested in this case as you are.
You Deserve to be Believed and Listened to
Everyone deserves their day in court and to be trusted when they share their life experiences. You should be able to move past this injury as well.
