Determining whether to settle or sue

Often, injury accidents in North Carolina occur because people are not paying attention to what they are doing, and they make a mistake they otherwise would not have made. If you have sustained an injury due to someone else’s carelessness, his or her homeowners or auto insurance may cover the cost of your medical care and other financial issues related to the accident. 

At Lassiter & Lassiter, our team understands that insurance companies do not always offer the financial settlement that injured people should receive, and our goal is to seek maximum compensation for our clients. 

Settling with the insurance company 

FindLaw explains that even if the insurance company does not make a reasonable first offer, you may not have to take the case all the way to trial in order to receive the settlement you deserve. Often, companies are willing to negotiate rather than face a full-blown lawsuit. If you do accept a settlement, you are agreeing that you will not later file a lawsuit for the same accident or injury. 

Before you settle, consider whether the amount covers lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages that judges and juries often award in a trial. Also, remember that the IRS views settlements as income, so the amount you receive and the circumstances of your case may affect how much you pay in taxes. 

Taking your case to court 

You may have a good chance of receiving more compensation in court if you have strong evidence of the other party’s negligence and your damages. It is important to evaluate how similar cases have fared in court, as well, and whether any practical issues may crop up at trial. 

More information about personal injury accident claims and civil litigation is available on our webpage.