There are a wide variety of variables that can affect the value of your car accident settlement. Let’s take a look at four of the most important ones.
Consistent explanations
As you go through the processes of your personal injury case, you’ll have to provide multiple explanations of how the accident occurred to different people, including the other driver, passengers in your car, bystanders, the police, first responders, your insurance company, the defendant’s insurance company, the Department of Motor Vehicles, your physicians, attorneys and potentially a jury.
This means the more inconsistencies your story has when you tell it to all these people, the more likely it is the defendant’s attorney will be able to poke holes in your story. Consistency is crucial, and you can help yourself out by simply telling the truth every time.
Doctor’s support
Insurance adjusters and attorneys will carefully analyze your medical records and compare them with the reports of injuries you listed in your complaint. You’ll be much more likely to get a good settlement if your doctor’s opinions support and align with your own complaints about the injuries you suffered in the accident.
Evidence of negligence
There are certain types of accidents that are likely to be worth more money for the plaintiff, as there are varying degrees of negligence. The more negligent a defendant was, the more money the plaintiff stands to collect. You must have evidence of that negligence to back up your claims, otherwise the court will not be able to side with you and award you the compensation you seek.
Your post-accident lifestyle
Your lifestyle after your accident should be consistent with the complaints you made about your injuries in the accident’s aftermath and in your personal injury claim. If you’ve reported significant back injuries, for example, you shouldn’t be out golfing a couple times a week or lifting weights at the gym — this will reflect poorly on you.
To learn more about settlement factors in your personal injury case, consult a dedicated Manatee County attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.