What does it mean when a Tampa Automobile Accidents Lawyer Recommends Mediation?

After people are injured in automobile accidents in the Tampa Bay area, there are several possible avenues they can take when demanding compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, lost ability to work, and so on. The recommended first step of pursuing an automobile accident injury claim is to speak with a Tampa automobile accidents lawyer. An experienced and competent lawyer will make sure you receive treatment for your injuries. Your automobile accidents lawyer will also begin the process of gathering evidence about your accident and filing insurance claims for your injuries.

As your injury claim progresses, there may come a time that your Tampa automobile accidents lawyer asks if you would like to participate in something called "mediation." Mediation is a voluntary way to resolve legal disputes without going to court. As an example, let's say you and your attorney are making an insurance claim, but the insurance company has a different monetary amount in mind for your claim. If you agree to take your dispute to mediation, the parties present at mediation would typically be you, your Tampa automobile accidents lawyer, representatives from the insurance company, and a neutral third party. The neutral third party is often an attorney or former judge who has received special training to be a professional mediator.

At mediation, the mediator will listen to the issues brought forth by you, your Tampa automobile accidents lawyer, and the insurance company's defense lawyer. The mediator will then attempt to create an agreement that will satisfy everyone's needs. If the mediator is successful at reaching an agreement between the parties, the mediator will create a settlement document to be signed by everyone at the mediation.

In some cases, mediation can be a viable option for automobile accident injury cases. Your Tampa automobile accidents lawyer can review the good points about mediation with you, which include:

• You and the other parties control the outcome of the mediation, not the mediator or the court

• You do not give up any rights when going to mediation

• If mediation fails, you can still settle your dispute in other ways, including a trial

• Mediation is typically less expensive and faster than going to trial

• All sides can offer creative ideas for resolving the claim

• If a mediation agreement is reached, it will be private (unlike court settlements, which are part of public record)

Tampa automobile accidents lawyer Dale Appell, P.A. is dedicated to keeping his clients informed about all their options, including mediation. If you would like a free assessment of your personal injury case, please call our law firm or fill out the online form located on our “Do I have a case?” link. We look forward to hearing from you, whether you are located here in Tampa or in one of our beautiful surrounding communities in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando and beyond such as Bradenton, Tarpon Springs, Lutz, Odessa, St Petersburg, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Dunedin, Brandon, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Largo, Palm Harbor, Riverview, Apollo Beach and Sun City Center.