Personal injury law proceedings are complicated, and there are countless opportunities at every stage for claimants to make a misstep that jeopardizes the entire case. If your claim reaches negotiations, though, it means you have provided sufficient evidence of liability and adequate proof of damages. The final step is agreeing to a fair settlement. Unfortunately, it is still possible to threaten the entire case this close to the finish line. Below, the personal injury law team from Seiler & Parker P.C., L.L.O. of Hastings, NE, shares two critical errors they help clients avoid during negotiations.

Accepting Less Than You Deserve 

When calculating a fair settlement amount, there are all kinds of damages you can include. In addition to the more obvious costs associated with treating your injuries, like prescription medication fees and physical therapy expenses, you can include indirect costs like lost income due to missed work. In cases involving severe or disabling injuries, claimants can also include future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and even home modifications. Don’t forget about the non-economic damages either. This might include emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. 

Claimants who fail to consider all potential damages—or are simply eager to settle—run the risk of accepting a settlement that will not cover all the costs they will incur from the accident. Fortunately, personal injury law attorneys are skilled negotiators and do not let their clients accept anything less than they deserve. 

Demanding More Than the Claim Is Worth

On the other end of the spectrum lie injured parties who are convinced their case is worth far more than it is. These claimants are unlikely to accept any offer from the insurance adjuster and will thus take the case all the way to court. If the jury does not agree with their valuation of the case, however, they risk securing a mere fraction of what the insurance company originally offered. Although some personal injury claims should go to trial, most of them can reach a satisfactory resolution to both parties outside of court. 

If you were hurt because of someone else’s recklessness and want to file a claim with the help of a personal injury law attorney, turn to Seiler & Parker P.C., L.L.O. in Hastings, NE. When you seek their counsel from the start, you can avoid making critical mistakes at any stage of the proceedings, so your case has the best chance of resulting in a fair settlement. As a full-service firm, they also practice criminal defense, family law, estate planning, and contract law. To learn more about the comprehensive legal services they provide clients throughout Adams County, visit the website, or call (402) 463-3125 to schedule an initial consultation.