Having an attorney as the representative in a personal injury case is extremely beneficial. At some point during the settlement discussions, the victim's input is necessary to obtain the full amount of compensation available for the personal injury insurance settlement. Personal injury insurance settlements should not be entered into until one can fully and precisely document both the at-fault party's liability for the injuries and the severity of those injuries. Your attorney should not start payment discussions until the doctors have determined that the maximum medical improvement has been reached and nothing more can be done. Once your attorney properly identifies both the severity of the injuries and the liability of the defendant, it is time to start the negotiation process for compensation. In some cases, the amount of compensation that is asked for cannot be fulfilled due to the defendant's lack of insurance or ways to pay the amount. At this point, it may be necessary to settle for the amount that can be collected from the defendant rather than hope for a future windfall. An attorney who specializes in personal injury settlement cases will know how to uncover any hidden assets or insurance that might help with compensation. Only a consultation with an attorney will reveal the options available.