In 2020 there were over 55.4 million injuries in the United States. These injuries can be life-changing and can cause extreme financial difficulties. If you have suffered a personal injury, filing a personal injury claim with an attorney may be the only way for you to be fairly compensated.
However, there is a lot of misinformation about personal injury claims that may result in fewer people filing claims after getting injured. Do you want to learn the answer to the question, “what is a personal injury claim and how do they work?”
Keep reading this personal injury claim guide to getting help understanding these most common misconceptions about personal injury cases and what you can really expect from your claim.
Myth #1: You Have to Go to Court
One of the most common myths about personal injury claims is that you have to go to court to win your settlement. Often, people dealing with a personal injury claim already have enough on their plate with medical bills, insurance claims, and other appointments.
Adding a lengthy trial to this may seem overwhelming. However, three-fourths of personal injury cases don’t go to court or trial. Instead, your personal injury attorney can help you reach an out-of-court settlement. This way, you can get compensated while still focusing on recovering from your injuries.
Myth #2: Personal Injury Lawyers Are Too Expensive
Another common myth about personal injury claims is that it is too expensive to hire a personal injury lawyer. Many people worry about paying legal fees, which is why they never file a personal injury claim.
However, some personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee agreement. This means that they will not charge any upfront legal fees. Instead, you only have to pay for their services if they win your case. Finding a lawyer that uses a contingency fee will help you get the compensation you deserve without any financial risk.
Myth #3: You Can File a Personal Injury Claim Whenever You Want
Many people wait to file a personal injury claim, only to realize that they waited too long. You have to file a personal injury claim within a certain amount of time after your injury.
Each state has different regulations for the amount of time you can file a personal injury claim after your injury. In California, you must file your claim within two years of getting your injury. If you miss this deadline, it is unlikely that you will be able to get compensation for your personal injury.
Myth #4: Your Losses Are Too Minor for Compensation
Next, you may think that you didn’t have enough losses from an injury to warrant hiring a personal injury attorney. However, no loss is too minor to receive compensation. If you were injured due to someone else’s actions, getting legal advice is always beneficial. Plus, there are many different types of losses that you can be compensated for.
For example, you may have a loss of income or a loss of future earnings. You may also be dealing with medical expenses, emotional damages, and other non-economic damages. A personal injury attorney can help you get compensated for each of these types of damages.
Myth #5: You Are Guaranteed Compensation
When you are injured by another person’s negligence, you may feel like you are guaranteed compensation for your injuries and losses. However, this is not always the case.
Every personal injury case is different and reaches a different outcome. Because of this, you are never guaranteed to win your case and reach a settlement. Luckily, hiring a lawyer that works on a contingency fee agreement will protect you financially even if you do not receive compensation for your case.
Myth #6: Personal Injury Cases Get Resolved Quickly
The amount of time it takes to resolve a personal injury case will vary based on many factors. This includes the length of your treatment, the settlement and negotiations process, and the complexity of your claim.
Still, many complex personal injury cases can take months or even years to settle. This means you may not get reimbursed for your losses and other expenses until your case is settled. Although personal injury cases are not typically a fast way to get money, you should still file a claim to get the compensation that you deserve.
Myth #7: The Responsible Party Will Pay Out of Pocket
Often, people do not want to file a personal injury claim because they don’t want to cause financial harm to the party responsible for their injuries. It is a common myth that the responsible party must pay out of pocket to treat your injuries and pay for your other damages.
Because of this, many people will not file a personal injury claim against a friend or family member that are responsible for their injuries. However, many personal injury claims are paid by the responsible party’s insurance company. This means that you will not cause financial ruin to someone if you choose to file your claim. You do not have to threaten someone else’s financial security in order to get compensated for your claim.
Dealing With Personal Injury Claims? We Can Help
When you are injured in an accident, it can completely change your life. Whether you deal with a life-changing injury or exorbitant medical bills, filing a personal injury claim can help you get the compensation that you deserve.
If you need help getting personal injury claim advice or need personal injury claims explained, Valley Accident Attorneys can help! We offer representation for personal injury cases and accidents in San Jose and can help you recover your damages.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
