When you are injured or your property is destroyed as a result of another person’s negligent actions, you are required to file a personal injury claim. This is so that the negligent party can pay you back for the damage they caused.
Personal injury claims include motor vehicle accidents, premises, workplace, and product liability. In the US, about 39.5 million personal injury cases require medical treatment every year.
Statistics show that roughly 58.5 thousand people die each year in the United States as a result of injuries that were not deliberate. You should talk to a personal injury lawyer if you want to file a personal injury claim. Only they can help an individual by securing fair compensation for their losses.
Let us look at the six misconceptions surrounding personal injury claims.
Contents
- 1. Personal Injury Claims Can Be Filed Anytime
- 2. All Personal Injury Lawyers Are the Same
- 3. All Personal Injury Claims Must Go to Court
- 4. Personal Injury Claims Are Only for Serious Injuries
- 5. Personal Injury Claims Only Covers Car Accidents
- 6. Only Bodily Injuries Are Covered by Personal Injury Claims
- Conclusion
1. Personal Injury Claims Can Be Filed Anytime
This is the most common misconception most people have about personal injury claims. The statute of limitations mandates cases concerning car accidents, wrongful death, and other tort cases to be filed within two years.
Time is extremely critical because if you delay filing your claim, your case will be void, and you won’t receive compensation for the damages. Therefore, you must seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer immediately after the accident.
2. All Personal Injury Lawyers Are the Same
Most people think that all personal injury lawyers are the same. This is not true.
If it is an accident case, you should seek the services of accident attorneys. If the claim comprises other personal injuries, consider contacting a personal injury attorney who specializes in that particular area.
Each personal injury lawyer has specialized in different sectors of the law. Hence, you must research the lawyer’s experience in a particular field before hiring them.
3. All Personal Injury Claims Must Go to Court
Most people believe that all personal injury claims must go through lengthy court proceedings to be resolved. It is common practice for injury lawyers to negotiate a settlement with the party or parties at fault or their insurance providers.
The best accident injury lawyer can help their clients get fair compensation for their losses. Mediation and arbitration are two forms of alternative conflict resolution that can successfully settle cases outside the conventional court system.
4. Personal Injury Claims Are Only for Serious Injuries
Personal injury claims should be filed for both minor and severe injuries. Every injured party deserves compensation for damages due to the defendant’s negligence.
Even relatively minor injuries can result in high medical costs, missed income, and long-term effects that lower one’s quality of life. Understanding that an injury’s effects are not usually evident immediately is critical.
An injury, no matter how small at first, might progress to a severe state as time passes and symptoms worsen. Speaking with a personal injury attorney can help you understand the potential repercussions of an injury and your legal options.
5. Personal Injury Claims Only Covers Car Accidents
Personal injury claims do not cover car accidents alone. Statistics from the Bureau of Justice show that:
- 52% of claims were motor vehicle accidents
- 5% of claims constituted product liability
- 15% are as a result of medical malpractice
Cases involving personal injuries can be difficult to navigate. Still, victims can increase their chances of receiving just compensation by working with experienced personal injury lawyers.
6. Only Bodily Injuries Are Covered by Personal Injury Claims
Claims of personal injury are not limited to those involving bodily harm. Victims may seek redress through personal injury litigation for non-physical harms such as psychological trauma and loss of companionship.
With the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney, victims can determine the exact amount of compensation they are due and pursue legal action to get it.
Conclusion
Many misconceptions about personal injury claims might bar an individual from filing a case. Do not let these misconceptions prevent you from receiving damages.
Contact a personal injury lawyer who knows the required procedure for navigating through such claims and who will help you recover the damages suffered.