Have you been injured due to the negligence of another? If so, whether it was in the car or at another location, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. However, a number of people often have misguided intentions and goals when filing an injury claim, primarily due to a number of myths and misconceptions about what these types of cases are intended to do. Here are five of the most common myths about personal injury law and what the truth actually is about them.
#1 – My Case is “Easy Money”
This is perhaps the most common misconception when it comes to personal injury law—that those who seek compensation are money-hungry and trigger happy when it comes to suing those at fault. In actual reality, these people are simply protecting their rights. Often times the victims of serious accidents can’t afford to pay for their medical treatments, and the person at fault refuses to pay for them, so they have to get the law involved. In reality, the vast majority of cases are only worth the monetary value of the losses someone sustains.
#2 – I am Guaranteed Compensation
You may have been injured, but were you injured due to your own foolish actions? Did you intentionally injure yourself? Is the plaintiff you’ve filed suit against actually the one at fault for your losses? These are all reasons why your personal injury case could be dismissed, which would mean you receive nothing from your case. There are no guarantees; your compensation will depend largely on your claim.
#3 – I Will Have Multiple Opportunities for Compensation
Once a personal injury case is settled, the result is typically final. That means when you accept a settlement from your insurance company, you also simultaneously waive your right to further legal action in order to pursue more compensation.
#4 – I Can File Whenever I’d Like
Personal injury lawsuits are bound by what’s known as a “statute of limitations,” which in common terms is essentially a deadline you have to file your case that starts on either the day you sustain the injury or the day you learn you have a condition. Once this statute of limitations passes, your case will most likely be dismissed, should you attempt to file a claim.
#5 – I Don’t Need an Attorney if I’m Not at Fault
Just because you were injured by something that was clearly the other party’s fault doesn’t mean you won’t need legal protection. Insurance companies often come with an attorney of their own (or several) who attempt to discredit your claim and alleviate their responsibility to pay. Having a Bowling Green personal injury attorney on your side can help you seek an ideal resolution to your claim and get you the compensation you deserve.
Call the Law Office of Pamela C. Bratcher today at 270-783-8311 to schedule your initial consultation to review your options if you’ve been hurt through someone else’s negligence.