A motor vehicle accident can be an emotionally and physically painful experience. If and when a New York victim is able to recover enough to return to their home after seeking medical treatment, they may be unable to work or to contribute to their family life in the manner they did before their crash. Despite their efforts, they may not be able to move beyond their collision and back to their normal life.
When injured by a negligent or reckless driver, a victim may have legal options to litigate their personal injury claims for the recovery of their damages. Before getting to court, though, they may receive an offer to settle their claims. Not all settlements are in the best interests of motor vehicle accident victims, but all victims can choose to discuss their rights with dedicated personal injury lawyers.
When it makes sense to settle
Some auto accidents are serious, and other are not. When an accident is minor and a victim does not sustain serious or long-term injuries, they may be able to quickly and accurately quantify the amount of compensation they need to be made whole following their collision. If a victim in this situation can settle their claims for the amount they need or more than they lost, a settlement may be beneficial to them as it would keep them out of court on their claims.
When a settlement may not be the best path
Unfortunately, some motor vehicle accidents result in serious injuries that forever alter the lives of victims. Individuals in these situations may not fully know their losses and may be only able to guess at what they will need in the future to get by. Because a settlement generally requires a person to waive their rights to sue on their settled claims, a victim in this type of case may not be able to pursue additional damages if they settle for less than they need to be made whole.
Before accepting a settlement, a victim should have a clear picture of their losses and needs. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help them sort out settlement offers and legal options for seeking damages.
