Don’t Fall for These 3 Personal Injury Myths

On the Internet, there are many unsubstantiated claims about the personal injury process. In this article, we debunk three of the most popular personal injury myths for the benefit of all accident victims who are weighing the decision to file a claim. 

In the world where fake news is the norm, it is often challenging to find a trustworthy source of information. Though knowledge is more easily accessible than ever before–with as much as 81.9 percent of American households having Internet connection–distinguishing truth from half-truths and lies is becoming increasingly more difficult. In fact, a considerable percentage of Americans believe that fabricated news is one of the most critical issues of our modern era.

Unfortunately, misinformation can also adversely affect accident victims and potential personal injury claimants. On the Internet, biased opinions and unfair misconceptions about the personal injury process abound. As a result, untrustworthy information could mislead you and cause you to miss out on the opportunity to obtain the financial compensation you may rightfully deserve for your accident damages.

At Ron Bell Injury Lawyers®, it is our wish that every member of our community who has been wrongfully injured in an accident may be adequately informed as to their legal rights and potential benefits of a personal injury claim. That’s why, in this article, we will deconstruct and debunk some of the most common personal injury myths to help you make an informed decision about your potential claim.

Myth 1: If I’m Insured, I Don’t Need a Lawyer

It’s easy to trust that your insurer will automatically cover all the financial losses they have sustained as a result of an accident…Or is it? This popular misconception may stem from the fact that some accident victims confuse first-party and third-party insurance claims. While it is true that you may use your personal insurance policy to recover some of the accident-related costs you have incurred (first-party claim), when trying to obtain compensation for injuries caused by another person, you will actually file a claim with their insurance company (third-party claim).

When you file a claim with your own insurance company, things usually go smoothly. The insurer values you as their client, so they cooperate with you to settle the claim quickly and effectively. However, this process can look strikingly different when you file a third-party claim. 

For a third-party insurance provider, the payout of any compensation money in response to your claim will constitute a significant financial loss. Therefore, it is not uncommon for insurance companies in such situations to try to downplay your injuries, minimize the worth of your claim or employ other tactics to ensure that they pay you as little as possible–or even nothing at all.

By contrast, if you file a personal injury claim through an attorney, your lawyer will handle all the contacts with the at-fault party and his or her insurance company from the very start to the very end of the claim. An experienced attorney won’t fall into an insurer’s deceptive trap and will make sure that you are rightfully compensated for your injuries.

Myth 2: If I File A Personal Injury Claim, People Will Think I’m Sue-Happy

This popular misconception is based on two incorrect assumptions–both of which are unfair for accident victims and potential claimants. The first assumption is that filing a personal injury claim is the same as filing a lawsuit. The second incorrect assumption is that personal injury lawsuits are frivolous or unsubstantiated. 

Truth 1: Filing a claim is not the same as filing a lawsuit

In reality, while an injury claim can eventually lead to a lawsuit, these two legal processes are fundamentally different. A personal injury claim is, in fact, an insurance claim that doesn’t involve a courtroom trial. Its purpose is to reach a settlement with the insurance company under which the accident victim will be reimbursed for his or her financial losses related to the accident. Most personal injury claims settle before they reach the trial stage.

Truth 2: Personal injury lawsuits are anything but unsubstantiated

Some believe that personal injury lawsuits are frivolous and only filed by nonconscientious individuals. Such statements, though, couldn’t be further from the truth. Lawsuits allow victims of another party’s negligent or reckless behavior to protect their legal rights and recover from their unjust financial losses. In addition, each lawsuit procedure is governed by script procedures and protected by tight requirements which guarantees that baseless or frivolous claims are quickly identified and stamped out.

In short, you have the full right to pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party as a way to facilitate your complete physical, emotional, and financial recovery from your injuries.

Myth 3: I Cannot Afford a Lawyer

It is natural to worry about the financial aspect of seeking legal help. After all, your budget is already strained by the countless expenses related to medical treatment as well as the additional losses caused by your inability to work. What’s more, you may assume that legal procedures are generally lengthy and so hiring a lawyer can be extremely expensive.

On the contrary, hiring an attorney to assist with a personal injury claim or lawsuit can be completely affordable, even for those whose budgets were hit the hardest in the aftermath of their injuries. This is because most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis which involves minimal expenses to the client. 

You don’t have to pay us anything unless we manage to secure your compensation. We simply deduct from your awarded sum a fixed percentage that was previously agreed on.

On the Internet, you may find more unsubstantiated claims and biased opinions similar to the ones we have just explored and debunked. So before you make any decision with regard to your own legal actions, it is always best to obtain trustworthy information from a proven source. If you have any other questions about the personal injury claims and process, please visit our dedicated personal injury pages or ask us a question via our contact form.