There is an unspoken secret in the courts: a case is often dictated by emotions. Not every person can win their case, let alone receive a large settlement. Media reports detail incredible stories of people receiving massive settlements with a case that seems mild on the surface, and some of these are due to the law and some are arguably a little bloated and maybe unnecessary. Nevertheless, excellent personal injury attorneys in Olympia, WA know how to use an emotional appeal to receive a larger settlement.
It is important to remember that emotions alone will rarely turn a losing case into a winning one, but subtle stories and a powerful emotional narrative can help propel a settlement to new heights. None of it involves fraud or lying; it includes making points and emphasizing the right aspects of a case. Below are a few examples of weaving a significant and positive narrative.
Hitting the Emotional Points
A personal injury may reshape a person’s life forever, and the court and adjusters need to be reminded of that reality. Is it better to tell a story about how the personal injury interfered with one’s ability to go to the movies, or is it better to say how the injury has directly interfered with a parent’s ability to get their children to school, walk them to the bus, go to their school events, and other such matters? Children are often lost in the shuffle of a personal injury, but they can also be victims.
Play the Alcohol Card
The cops may have made a glaring oversight in their initial report of an auto accident; they may not have used a breathalyzer on the spot, and in many cases, this removes the ability for a personal injury attorney to state alcohol was used in the case. However, evidence can be powerful: what if there was an empty bottle present? Alcohol can be a really powerful emotional cue because millions have had their lives shattered due to alcohol abuse.
Whether it is reported that the driver was under the influence or if it is assumed evidence based on an empty bottle, that helps tell the right narrative. Contact the team of Putnam Lieb Potvin Attorneys for more on telling the right kind of story.
