Exploring the Benefits of Mediation in Personal Injury Cases
If you were injured in an accident and suffered damages, you probably have decided to file a personal injury claim for financial compensation. It is not uncommon for victims who file a claim to want to get the claims process over with as soon as possible to alleviate themself of the legal burden and also to get paid faster. But, if a victim is too eager to close their claim, they are at great risk of doing so without getting the full amount of compensation they are owed. As a result, the damages their settlement doesn’t cover will be their responsibility to pay for. An insurance company is not going to provide a victim with more money if they already signed off on a previous settlement amount.
Even though the desire to get the claims process over sooner rather than later is usually preferred, knowing the full value of one’s claim can cause negotiations to drag on. This is especially so if an insurance adjuster or a plaintiff is unable to be cooperative and come to reasonable and agreeable terms. If disagreements persist, the end result could be a trial date and litigation. But, it doesn’t have to be. There is potentially another approach that may work.
If you were injured in an injury accident in Oklahoma, you need skilled legal counsel on our side to help you get the most from your personal injury claim. The Oklahoma personal injury attorneys at the Putnam Law Office can assist you throughout every step of the claims process.
The Role of Mediation in the Personal Injury Claims Process
Mediation could be the right method for your case to come to a conclusion. In mediation, an unbias third party works with both sides to further negotiations and come to a mutually beneficial agreement. Both the plaintiff and the defendant have a role in determining the outcome, not a judge and jury, the way things would be if a case when to trial.
While mediation is completely voluntary, in some situations, when settlement negotiations become stale, mediation could get things going again and work for each party. Mediation offers a more collaborative and open approach to negotiations.
Mediation can move a claim along much faster than would be the case if the claim goes to court. Also, because mediation can help foster an agreeable solution and settlement in a shorter amount of time, it is more cost-effective than litigation.
There are other benefits to mediation. The process of working with a mediator can promote less contentious communications so that both parties are more willing to understand each other’s points of view. As such, the process is much less adversarial than litigation which can lead to both parties remaining on good terms after the claim is closed. Additionally, the terms of the agreement can remain private.
Call the Putnam Law Office Today
There are several benefits to the mediation process when a personal injury claim is filed. Mediation could be right for your case. For more information, please call the Putnam Law Office today to schedule a free consultation today at (405) 849-9149.