Unless you practice law or have a direct relation to it, sometimes there can be a lot of gray areas and misconceptions about what is true and what isn’t. For those who find themselves dealing with personal injury law, there are plenty of misconceptions that could have you spending more money or not dealing with the right services from the get-go. If you feel a need to ever be in need of personal injury assistance, here are the six misconceptions about personal injury lawyers you need to familiarize yourself with.
Misconception #1: I don’t need a personal injury lawyer if I have insurance.
While most of us would like to believe that our insurance companies will work for us and make the personal injury claim easy, that’s not always the case. Even if you have insurance, using a personal injury lawyer can be an added benefit to your overall case. According to https://www.fightingforyou.com/, “Personal injury lawyers will work with your insurance company to ensure they have all the necessary paperwork and information to move your claim forward. And in the event that the insurance company fails to provide you with the right coverage, a personal injury lawyer can work on your behalf to help you get the retribution you deserve.”
Misconception #2: Personal injury lawsuits are for people who are looking to cash in.
That’s not true. While insurance companies and the media do a good job of making victims of personal injury seem like money-hungry scoundrels for taking their case to trial, it’s not the case. In fact, most people only take their cases to court when it cannot be resolved out of court and there are legal fees, legitimate accidents, and real injuries sustained from the injury. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t let someone guilt you out of going to court if you need it to prove your case.
Misconception #3: Personal injury suits take too long to complete.
While there is no fast-track to court and while it will take time, personal injury cases do not take as long as some people may make you think. Plus, most personal injury cases get settled before the case even makes it to trial, which means it closes well before you would assume it would. Plus, should you do end up in court and it does take some time, just know that this time is being dedicated to helping you get the compensation you deserve for your injury or illness, and that’s nothing you should rush.
Misconception #4: Hiring a lawyer is too expensive.
True there are costs associated with having a personal injury lawyer, but the cost of not having one could be even more detrimental. For instance, a personal injury lawyer will know from experience exactly what your case is worth and taking a settlement of $2,000 when your lawyer could have gotten you $20,000 means losing out on your end. Plus, many personal injury lawyers do not charge for a consultation, and some will only charge you if you win your case. Even if your lawyer charges a 20% fee and they get you a $20,000 settlement, that’s still $16,000 you walk away with.
Misconception #5: Personal injury suits regulate what doctors I see.
Once again, this is false information. You do not need to see specific doctors or take certain medications if you file a personal injury claim. Instead, your insurance company or the defendant’s lawyer will simply need documentation of the care you have received and/or are receiving. Sure, they may suggest that certain tests be done for further evaluation, but that doesn’t mean you need to forgo treatment just to keep the trial moving forward.
Misconception #6: Other specialized lawyers can handle my case.
You may already have a family, estate, or divorce lawyer you’ve used in the past, but all lawyers focus on their own specialties. And while your friend or loved one may be able to help get you through the personal injury claim, the outcome will not be similar to what you could expect from an actual personal injury lawyer. If you are really serious about taking this personal injury claim to the next level, it’s important for you to find a personal injury lawyer and choose them to represent you.
If there comes a time in your life when a personal injury claim needs to be filed, don’t let these six misconceptions about personal injury lawyers or personal injury law get in your way.
