The majority of personal injury claims are settled outside of court, which can save both parties a great deal of time and stress. Often, this is done through mediation, where each side is given the opportunity to present their case to a neutral third party who helps them negotiate a solution everyone agrees on. However, for this process to be successful, proper preparation is essential. Here's what you can do before entering a mediation session. 

How to Work With a Personal Injury Claim Mediator

1. Determine an Acceptable Offer

It’s important to go into mediation with a good idea of how much your injuries are worth. This will give you a realistic expectation of the amount you’re entitled to. Your attorney will help determine the value of your case based on the evidence available. 

After this is done, you’ll talk over what the initial demand should be and decide on the lowest offer you’re willing to accept. Having these numbers in mind provides a starting point and potential ending point for negotiations.

2. Put Together Some Notes

In most personal injury cases, the mediator will listen to arguments from each party and point out the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. As such, you’ll want to have a clear outline of your discussion topics. 

It’s best to focus less on the details of what happened and place more emphasis on why it occurred, as well as how your injuries have impacted your quality of life. To ensure you don’t forget to include all the appropriate elements, write down some notes that you can refer back to. 

3. Learn What to Expect 

Having a thorough understanding of what will take place in your mediation session will help to make you feel more at ease. You should have a pre-mediation meeting with your attorney, so they can explain who’s likely to be in attendance and review how the day will go. 

Generally, both parties will begin by giving an opening statement. Then each side will be separated into different rooms to confer with counsel and the mediator in private as negotiations go back and forth.  

If you’ve been seriously harmed due to someone else’s negligence, trust the attorneys at Goddard & Hammontree LLC to help maximize your compensation. This reputable law firm in Dalton, GA, has effectively represented countless personal injury victims both inside and outside of the courtroom in the Metro Atlanta area and Southern Tennessee. Whether your case is negotiated or litigated, they’ll use their expertise to create a strong argument in your favor. Call (706) 278-0464 to schedule a free consultation, or visit them online for more information about the services they offer.