Most personal injury cases tend to be resolved before the case is brought before a civil jury. Most times, all parties are interested in reaching an agreement before going to court. This tendency is because that trials are much more expensive than out-of-court settlements; it can take a lot of time, sometimes years, until a verdict is reached. Therefore, settlement negotiations between the victim of a tort and the defendant are frequent. For example, let’s say a driver from Houston is hurt in an accident caused by a negligent driver. In order to achieve a favorable outcome from an injury settlement, it is recommended that the victim work with a personal injury accident lawyer in Houston. Let’s examine some of the pitfalls that need to be avoided when negotiating the injury settlement.
Not Requesting Medical Attention
The injured party needs to request the assistance of medical personnel as soon as possible, even if the injury is not major. When those who have suffered personal injuries fail to do so, the insurance claims addjuster or the defense lawyer will use this against the them and argue that the injury was insignificant.
Representing Yourself
Unless you are a personal injury attorney, legal professional, or you are absolutely sure you are capable of handling the negotiation, representing yourself is a bad idea. In order to maximize your recovery and ensure that you do not waive any of your legal rights, it is advisable to at least consult with a personal injury attorney in Houston.
Choosing the Wrong Lawyer
It is best to hire a competent Houston personal injury attorney, from a respected Houston personal injury law firm, who specializes in the type of injuries you received. For example, a divorce attorney would not be a good choice, even if he is your sister’s husband.
Communicating with the Insurance Company with No Legal Advice
When the person who seeks to receive compensation for a personal injury is less informed, they often inadvertently tell the insurance adjuster things that are used against them. Personal injury victims should allow their Houston personal injury accident lawyer to handle most communications and be present at all times when communicating with an insurance company.
Hiding Information from Your Own Lawyer
The person who has suffered a personal injury and is seeking the help of an attorney to recover damages needs to tell absolutely all of the details of the accident and of the ensuing events to the Houston personal injury attorney he or she has hired. Only by being honest with your lawyer can you be sure that you will receive the best legal advice.
Letting the Guard Down with the Insurance Company
Even if the insurance claims adjuster may seem friendly and concerned about your personal injuries, remember that you are dealing with a professional who is seeking to protect their insurance company.
Refusing to Cooperate and Agree to Mediation
Personal injury victims should follow the advice of his or her Houston personal injury accident lawyer and agree to mediation and settlement offers if these offers are reasonable. It is important to have realistic expectations and to rely on the experience and knowledge of your experienced Houston personal injury attorney. Keep in mind that you will not necessarily receive more compensation if you take the case to court.
Lying About Your Injuries and Their Effects
Lying about or exaggerating the extent of injuries can be easily uncovered, and when this happens the plaintiff’s case is greatly jeopardized.
Susan Slobac is a consultant in the Denver accident lawyer industry. Susan writes about trends in Denver accident lawyer.
Source: https://www.PopularArticles.com/article267327.html
The Buchanan Law Office, P.C. is a Houston personal injury law firm dedicated to representing those who have suffered personal injuries as a result of the negligence of others. In addition to issues related to Texas Workers Compensation, we handle all types of personal injury litigation including wrongful death, car accidents, trucking accidents, pharmaceutical litigation, defective drug claims, recalled drug claims, refinery and chemical plant accidents, explosions, fires, and all workplace accidents.
Contact Byron Buchanan at the The Buchanan Law Office, P.C. today for a free consultation. Although our principal office is in Houston, Texas, the firm practices in all Texas State Courts. Visit our website at https://thebuchananlawoffice.com/. You can also look through our Practice Areas and see if we can help you with your personal injury claim. A profile of the firms founder, Byron Buchanan, is also available. Or email us at [email protected].
About the Author
(Byron Buchanan)
Byron was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but was raised in the Houston area. Following his graduation from high school, Byron spent over a decade working as a refinery operator on the Houston Ship Channel. During that time, he earned a degree from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, after which he picked up stakes and relocated to Lubbock, Texas, where he earned his law degree from the Texas Tech University School of Law in 1996. While attending law school, Byron earned a position as a member and officer of its prestigious Board of Barristers, a nationally recognized trial advocacy program. After graduation, Byron began his law practice by returning to his roots and representing individuals in the workplace, earning the respect of his peers in matters related to those injured in the petrochemical industry.
Byron has practiced in all areas of plaintiff’s personal injury, exclusively representing injured parties in both federal and state courts. With The Buchanan Law Office, Byron continues his focus of representing individuals injured in a wide variety of personal injury matters, including refinery and chemical plant accidents, auto and trucking accidents, wrongful death claims and product defect cases. Byron is married to Katherine D’Aunno-Buchanan. They are the proud parents of five children.
