Ocala is a pleasant place for people who enjoy a scenic car drive and the scenic wildlife corridor. The city harbors residents and tourists with scenic driving routes and myriads of outdoor fun activities. However, the risk of car accidents also comes in handy with these fun experiences. According to Florida’s Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Department, the city saw over 3000 car crashes in 2023, leading to over 40 fatalities.
That being said, when it comes to car accidents, settling a case and getting compensation can be complex. Therefore, you need an experienced car accident lawyer in Ocala, FL, to help you navigate the legal system and ensure you get the best outcome possible.
However, one of the questions that people ask is whether or not their lawyer can settle their case without their consent. The answer to this question depends on several factors. This blog post aims to shed light on this important question and provide you with a clear understanding of your rights and involvement in the settlement process.
Understanding Settlement Agreements
A settlement agreement serves as a legally binding contract, facilitating the resolution of a dispute through payment or services exchange instead of resorting to litigation. For the settlement to hold legal weight, both parties involved must mutually agree to the terms and formally sign the agreement.
If you find yourself in an accident scenario and seek to settle the case outside of court proceedings, reaching an agreement with the other party becomes pivotal, solidifying the strength of your personal injury claims before it transforms into a legally binding resolution.
Can Your Lawyer Settle Without Your Consent?
In some cases, your lawyer may be able to negotiate a settlement without your explicit consent depending on certain circumstances. For instance, if there is no dispute about liability or damages but only about how much money should be paid out as part of the settlement, then your attorney may be able to work out an agreement with the other party without your input. Additionally, if you give your attorney permission beforehand (in writing), they may be able to reach an agreement with the other party without consulting you first.
Can You Overrule Your Lawyer’s Decision?
Once an agreement has been reached between two parties regarding a settlement amount, it is usually difficult for either side (including yourself) to back out of it. This is true unless there was some sort of fraud involved or if new evidence has come up since signing off on it.
This would further change things significantly enough for one side or another (or both) not to want to go ahead. If this happens, then yes– you could overrule your lawyer’s decision by refusing to sign off on any agreements they made until further, more agreeable negotiations for all sides involved in the dispute resolution process have occurred.
What Should You Do If You Disagree With Your Lawyer’s Decision?
When hiring a lawyer for any type of legal matter, especially those related to personal injury claims, it is vital that both parties are clear about what kind of decisions they expect from each other throughout the entire process from start to finish. Hence, there isn’t any confusion later when negotiating settlements, filing paperwork/court documents, etc.
If, at any point during negotiations with another party regarding compensation amounts, you do not feel comfortable moving forward with what has been proposed, then make sure that you communicate this clearly with your attorney. Hence, they know where exactly they stand before making any further decisions on their behalf or anyone else who might also be affected by signing these agreements.
Conclusion
Ultimately, whether or not an experienced car accident lawyer can settle your case without needing explicit consent will depend mainly on some crucial factors. These factors include the disputes between both parties involved in the order resolution process and how much authority has been given over these matters via written documentation, etc.
Additionally, ensure communication lines remain open between everyone who might benefit/be affected by these agreements being signed. Hence, everyone knows exactly where to stand before taking final steps towards resolving disputes amicably outside court proceedings whenever possible.
