When a defendant or insurance company attempts to settle a personal injury claim, they offer the plaintiff a specific dollar amount as compensation. This amount could be more or less than the plaintiff is expecting, but it is up to each plaintiff to decide whether they want to accept the offer or proceed with the civil case. Below are some facts about how a personal injury lawsuit is typically settled.

A Lawsuit Can Be Settled Before It Even Begins

Before a plaintiff starts taking definitive legal action, the defendant might make an offer of settlement. For many insurance companies, just the notion of a lengthy, costly court battle might be enough to extend an olive branch to a plaintiff. By notifying an insurer of your intentions to file a personal injury claim, you may inspire them to settle quickly and to your benefit.

A Lawsuit Can Be Settled Any Time Before A Final Verdict

Once you go ahead with the legal process, an insurer can still offer a settlement. This could happen at any point before a final verdict in the personal injury lawsuit is handed down. Even if a jury is in deliberations, it is not too late to reach a settlement and close the case.

A Plaintiff Relinquishes All Claims After Settling

If you are offered a reasonable settlement in your personal injury claim and you decide to accept it, you will be required to sign a full liability release. This releases the defendant from any further legal action you may attempt to instigate. By signing, you agree to take the offered settlement and satisfactorily resolve your personal injury lawsuit.

Many Insurance Companies Eventually Settle

While it's not a hard and fast rule that an insurer will always settle, many insurance companies do eventually take this path. This is largely because they don't want to allocate the time, money, or resources to fight you in court. Insurers also have deep pockets and feel little financial impact from settling a personal injury lawsuit.

If you’ve been hurt in an accident that was not your fault and want to file a personal injury claim, call the attorneys of Hensley Law Office at (606) 836-3117. They’ve proudly served clients throughout the Flatwoods, KY, area for more than two decades. You can also contact them online to get on the road to receiving your settlement.