When you’ve been involved in an accident, you’ll likely be bombarded by friends and family with different opinions. A good number of them who have your interests at heart will, of course, advise you to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, regardless of their good intentions, this may not be the ideal thing to do.
The best way to clear up any misconceptions would be to talk to your personal injury attorney. Discuss all your fears and concerns with them; they’ll gladly answer all your questions and dispel all your doubts.
Experienced attorneys, like the ones at Lorenz and Lorenz, are particularly popular for their ability to explain complex legal terms in layman’s terms.
Misconceptions That Most People Have
Here are a few myths that non-legal experts peddle about personal injury law:
1. The insurance company won’t offer more
The insurance company will have their claims adjuster come to you with an offer. These adjusters will try to convince you to accept this offer because it is the best they can give you. They’ll try to railroad you into accepting a deal that is usually the lowest amount of the real value of your case.
Under no circumstances should you pay any attention to these adjusters, especially in the absence of your lawyer. They are here to do their job. And their job is to make you accept a low-ball offer so the insurance company can save money.
2. Small injuries don’t really matter
People might tell you that you don’t have to hire an injury lawyer because your injuries are minor. What you do not know is that some minor injuries can spiral into life-threatening conditions overtime.
Never downplay any injury. Seek medical attention as soon as you can to fully diagnose the actual extent of the problem. Then you can decide whether or not to pursue compensation.
3. Family and friends shouldn’t be sued
It’s always tough fighting a battle against family and friends. The strain that it leaves on the relationship is often permanent. It’s normal to feel guilty about filing a claim against them.
However, you can go through the entire process without being put in an awkward position. Your lawyer can communicate on your behalf and take charge of every other process.
4. There will be numerous hearings
There will certainly be more than one hearing. But these hearings rarely last more than one hour, and they’re not held often. It’s even possible to reach a settlement without having to attend any hearing at all. The best part is that even if the case does make it to court, it’s your lawyer who’ll be doing most of the talking.
5. You can take as much time as you want
There’s something called the statute of limitations that can prevent you from getting compensation for your claims, even if you deserve it. You’ll only fall victim to this if you delay too long before filing a personal insurance claim.
6. It’s better to represent yourself
Sure, you’ll be saving money, but do you have the experience to handle the cunning adjuster or even the defense attorney? You’ll most likely bow to pressure and stress after the first hearing, and this never ends well. Do not represent yourself, so you do not jeopardize your chances of getting the settlement that you deserve.
7. The at-fault party will have to pay from their pockets
If you’re feeling guilty about running the at-fault party into bankruptcy, you can take consolation in the fact that they’re not the ones paying you. They have insurance to handle the payout and settlement on their behalf. Take this into account when you’re feeling guilty about suing your family or friends.
Wrapping Up
The only person whose word you should take when it comes to personal injury law is your lawyer. They have spent years learning and understanding the law and practice; they have all the necessary knowledge to fight and win your case.
