A Personal Injury Attorney Discusses The Issue Of Credibility

Copyright (c) 2014 SLAPPEY & SADD, LLC

The decision regarding who is liable in a personal injury case may depend on who the jury finds most credible or believable. According to an accident lawyer, some defendants tell lies in their statements to their insurance companies. The issue comes up in all kinds of accident cases such as medical malpractice, product liability, premises liability, pedestrian accidents, truck collisions and motor vehicle crashes. If the defendant is not providing a truthful account of events, it is possible that physical evidence such as photographs, broken glass, skid marks and medical reports will support your account of the incident, says an injury attorney. In addition, police officers and other eyewitnesses may be able to corroborate your version of events. A Personal Accident Attorney Looks At The Issue Of The Likable Defendant

Many accident cases settle out of court as the result of negotiations with the insurance company, says an injury attorney. In that situation, the defendant is no more than a name on various documents.

Should the case move forward to litigation, the defendant will be called upon to testify at the trial. Instead of a faceless, anonymous person, the defendant is right in front of them, sitting in the courtroom. This can create a problem for your case, says a personal injury attorney. If the defendant is likeable, the jury may feel sympathy for him or her and may be reluctant to decide in your favor or may be inclined to reduce the settlement amount. The problem may also be compounded by the fact that many jurors have the mistaken impression that the award will come out of the defendant’s own pocket, according to a personal accident lawyer. Depending on how sympathetic a defendant may seem to a jury, some defense attorneys may use this mistaken belief to their benefit. To avoid this problem, or minimize it, your injury attorney might ask the judge to prohibit the defense lawyer from suggesting that the settlement will come from the defendant. In addition, your accident lawyer may explain how settlements are paid by insurance companies and are not intended to punish the defendant. The purpose of an award is to compensate you for the medical bills, lost wages and suffering associated with your injury. To speak with a personal accident lawyer, call an accident lawyer with the experience and background that can take your case to trial if necessary as that may be in your best interest.

An Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney Discusses The Issue Of Credibility

The decision regarding who is liable in a personal injury case may depend on who the jury finds most credible or believable. According to an Atlanta accident lawyer, some defendants tell lies in their statements to their insurance companies.