When dealing with a personal injury case, questions may arise that cause confusion or stress for the injured person. If you’ve suffered injuries from accidents involving cars, bicycles, slip-and-falls, or any other accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, you deserve the compensation owed to you from the party at fault.
At Knutson + Casey, our legal team is able and willing to provide all the information our clients need for a successful personal injury case. Whether you’re wondering what to expect from a personal injury settlement or what is necessary to pursue compensation, our attorneys are here to help.
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When you’ve been injured in an accident or as a result of another person or company’s wrongdoing, you can seek legal help to get the compensation owed to you through a personal injury claim or personal injury lawsuit. First, you must file your injury claim against the insurance company responsible and liable for the damages. Most cases are resolved as claims with the insurance company without the need for any lawsuit or litigation and reaching personal injury settlements. This means they are resolved with monetary compensation paid to the injured, and they are not handled in a courtroom lawsuit.
When you’ve been offered a settlement from the insurance company, discussing the case and the details of your injuries with our lawyers will help you maximize the compensation you receive, as we are skilled in negotiation and have a strong knowledge of the law. In most cases, the settlement offerings are initially far less than justifiable for an injured client’s loss and suffering; working with an attorney helps increase the chances of higher settlements. Often, the insurance company will offer a minimum amount just to try and get it resolved quickly. An attorney helps the injured party to understand the full value of the insurance claim and case and ensures that all the evidence, medical records, and any other factors are thoroughly examined.
The liable party pays the person harmed outright without undergoing a lawsuit in a courtroom during a settlement. In Minnesota, car accident cases involving negligence against the other driver often have a six-year statute of limitations, meaning a person has six years from the date of the accident to bring a claim and file in court. However, there are circumstances where this can be as short as two years, so it is critical that you speak to an attorney to determine which time limit applies. In some cases, the law requires a legal notice in as short as six months. Call an attorney to find out which time limit applies to your claim so that you do not lose your rights.
If you miss the deadline to file your injury claim, you will forfeit your rights to any negotiation or lawsuit. It’s essential to get your claim filed immediately and get your legal team to help you gather all of the documentation needed to prove negligence on the liable party’s part. A skilled lawyer understands the law and can help determine how much compensation you are owed that helps you in your recovery and helps you recover from lost damages and injuries.
Most of our client’s claims start as a claims process with the various insurance companies involved as a result of the liable parties involved. Often, cases are resolved for fair amounts within 3 to 6 months. In other cases, if the offer from the insurance company is unfair, the matter can be filed with the court and take much longer.
The most difficult part of any case is determining the fair value for all of the injuries incurred by our clients. This is not a simple process and involves many factors, including lost wages, medical bills, what the amount of future medical bills will be, pain and suffering, disability, scarring or disfigurement, and other costs and other parties who may be at fault. Our lawyers sit on panels to help other law firms determine the value of their client’s cases. It is a difficult process.
A liability claim can settle for as low as a few thousand dollars or into the millions. Due to the number of factors involved, it is difficult to determine the value of a client’s case and injuries. Every case is different, but the important aspects included in valuing compensation are economic damages, such as property damage and wage loss; noneconomic damages, like pain and suffering; and punitive damages. The ultimate value is what six or seven jurors would decide in a jury trial, which itself can vary greatly.
The time it takes to settle can vary depending on the type of case. In cases such as a slip and fall or motorcycle accident, the extent of injuries and damage may not be apparent right away. This can delay the final settlement offer and the calculation of damages. Most of our client’s cases settle or resolve in 5 to 9 months. Some cases take years to resolve when extremely complicated because they need to accurately determine any future medical expenses, especially if the injury results in permanent disability. Once a claim is settled, Minnesota law requires insurance companies to issue settlement checks to pay the victim within five days, although sometimes it takes a bit longer.
Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer is important because a legal team knows what to look for and is on your side. If you go at it alone, you may not know about all the damages that apply to your case and the value of your case. The process to reaching your settlement includes these steps:
When you reach the point of receiving settlement offers in response to your claim in Southern Minnesota, our team at Knutson + Casey can help you evaluate the details of your case, determine the value owed to you, and help you recover full compensation. Settling when it is the better option may become a lengthy process. Whether you need help to negotiate during the settlement process or pursue further legal action, our team can guide you through the entire process. Personal injury victims deserve the best chance at a fair settlement process to seek compensation that can help them cope with any damages or losses they suffered as a result of the accident.
At Knutson + Casey, our legal team has helped thousands of clients in the Southern Minnesota region reach successful settlements with rightful compensation for their pain, suffering, and losses in an accident. If you’ve been involved in an auto accident, dog bite, or any other kind of accident in Southern Minnesota, our legal team is here to help. Our attorneys are successful in personal injury cases and can guide you through the legal process after reviewing your case. Personal injury claims can be challenging to navigate, which is why our law firm is here to help. Reach out to us using our contact form or give us a call at (507) 344-8888 to schedule your free consultation.