Just about every citizen is prone to accidents, sooner or later. Since most people don’t realize this, they go about their lives without bothering about precautions or the laws in place to protect accident victims.
Websites that focus on law-related information, like www.personalinjurybakersfield.com, do their bit to educate the average Joe about personal injury law.
Despite the existence of these websites, people seem to be more into believing all the random things they hear about personal injury law.
This article does its bit to change that. It discusses five myths that are associated with personal injury law. It also provides statements on why the myths are wrong, so that you’re well informed when disaster strikes.
Myth #1: Personal injury cases can be handled alone. You don’t need a lawyer.
This statement is absolutely false.
Most personal injury cases are complex. One moment you think your path’s clear, and the next moment you’re hit with a barrage of challenges.
What’s worse is that these challenges have the potential to completely dismantle your case.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is the only way to tackle this. Their expertise and skill in law make them the ideal person to be by your side when you’re handling a personal injury case.
They also know all about the challenges that will pop up during the proceedings, meaning that they will be prepared to manage them.
Myth #2: You can file a personal injury claim whenever you want.
No, you can’t.
The US judicial system has a rule called the statute of limitations. According to this rule, you may file a personal injury case only within a specific period from the date of the accident. For medical malpractice cases, this rule is applicable for a certain time period from the discovery of the condition.
Once the statute of limitations has passed, you lose the right to file a claim.
Exceptions do exist, but they do only for very specific situations.
Myth #3: The insurance adjuster is trying to help you.
An insurance adjuster is an individual sent by the insurance company. The insurance adjuster’s job is to
- Investigate the claim
- Analyze the evidence submitted by the victim
- Prepare a settlement amount
- Convince the victim to accept the settlement amount
The insurance adjuster is on the insurance company’s payroll, and that’s where their loyalty lies. The insurance adjuster will go to any extent to find a way to reduce the settlement the insurance company has to pay. This includes shifting the blame, stalking on social media, and delaying the process to annoy you.
They will go to any extent to make sure you don’t deserve fair compensation.
Myth #4: Hiring a personal injury lawyer is expensive.
No, it isn’t, at least for most cases.
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. They will not charge anything until you win your case. This means that their paycheck depends on the success of your case.
A contingency fee arrangement makes lawyers accessible to everyone, even those without the means to hire one.
Myth #5: Filing a personal injury case makes you look greedy.
Seeking compensation for the damages or losses you suffered isn’t being greedy. It is what fairness and justice are all about.
If the at-fault party hadn’t been negligent, the accident wouldn’t have happened at all, and you wouldn’t have had to deal with a personal injury case. You wouldn’t have to deal with the injuries and losses you’re going through now.
The consequences of negligence are different for everyone. Some may get away with a few minor scrapes, while others may suffer catastrophic injuries or even death.
In all the above-mentioned situations, seeking compensation doesn’t equate to greed. The compensation victims receive helps them get their lives back on track.
Conclusion
You just read five of the most common myths related to personal injury law. With this knowledge, you’d be better equipped if you’re involved in a personal injury case at some point.
If you or a loved one is a victim of negligence, get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer to know what your options are.