You have been hurt. It could be a slip and fall, a car accident, or an accident in the workplace. Your life has suddenly become difficult, and you want to file a personal injury claim but end up confused and misled.
Personal injury claims can be tricky. Navigating the complexities of these claims on your own can quickly lead to confusion, frustration, and even costly mistakes. That’s why you need a personal injury attorney to guide you.
Here are five myths that are more likely to derail your claim than actually help you win.
Myth 1: “I can handle it myself. I do not need an attorney.”
Most people enjoy doing things on their own. However, personal injury law is a very complicated subject. You may be saving money by not hiring a lawyer, but in reality, you might end up losing more than you save.
The insurance companies are good at downplaying your claims and just offering you minimal settlements. A personal injury lawyer is not a nice thing to have; it is very important. Any good lawyer will know how to sit down and get the negotiation done properly, understand the details of your case, and most importantly, get you the money that you deserve.
Myth 2: “The insurance company will treat me fairly.”
If you’ve ever dealt with an insurance company, you know how this goes: they’ll give you the runaround, ask for more documents than necessary, and drag their feet as much as possible. Why? Because they don’t want to pay out.
Here’s the truth: the insurance company is looking out for themselves, not you. They want to settle fast and for the lowest amount possible. Don’t believe that they’ll treat you fairly. If they did, they wouldn’t make a dime. That’s why you need someone on your side who knows how to stand up for you.
Myth 3: “I Must Wait Until I Am Completely Healed Before Making a Claim.”
The bad myth has that damaging potential. One can wait until all one’s injuries have healed when a better understanding of a person’s situation is expected, but here’s the truth: your injuries can develop worse, and waiting could badly hit your case.
It will be best for you to file your case early. When you act quickly, your attorney can retain all relevant proofs, interview witnesses, and begin gathering medical histories. Waiting too long may result in missing relevant information or your case being dismissed.
Myth 4: “If I Was Partly at Fault, I Cannot Win My Case.”
Let’s get this straight: if you are partially responsible, it does not mean you cannot win. It usually happens in car accidents or slip-and-fall cases. The law uses comparative negligence, which means you can still get money for your damages, even if you share some of the blame.
The important thing is how much blame you have. Your payment may be smaller, but you will very likely get it. Don’t let this false idea give you the notion that you shouldn’t get what is yours.
Myth 5: “A Bigger Injury Means a Bigger Settlement.”
This is tricky because a serious injury, such as brain damage or being incapable of moving, usually garners bigger payments, while a small injury can still get a person money. Payments depend on many things: your medical costs, lost income, how much you suffered in pain and suffering, and more.
The size of the injury doesn’t always reflect the amount of money to be obtained. It is more a story of how well you tell your tale. A good personal injury attorney knows how to present the case, no matter if the injury was big or small, and can help you receive that money.
Final Thoughts
There is a lot of confusion with personal injury claims, and you can easily believe in false ideas. But don’t let those wrong ideas mislead you. Ensure you get the right information and, most importantly, a good team to back you up. Your case needs the best help, and so do you.
