Personal injury happens more often than you can imagine. For instance, a report by the U.S. Department of Transportation indicates that over 65 drivers get hurt in car accidents every two to three hours. Also, several employees get injured at work due to fall and slip accidents or faulty machines at work. Similarly, several people report being bit by dogs in the neighborhood. Fortunately, an injured person has the option of filing a personal injury claim for compensation.
The last thing that you want to think about after sustaining injuries after an accident is going through the process of filing personal injury claims. It happens even if you rightfully qualify for compensation for your damages. The stigmas and myths surrounding personal injury cases have discouraged victims from seeking compensation. As such, it’s wise to learn the facts about the personal injury claim process so that you don’t get locked out of the settlement.
You may not need a lawyer
You shouldn’t be misguided by this myth when filing for a personal injury case. A personal injury lawyer in New Orleans, Louisiana can protect and represent your interest in a claim even if your injuries are minor. The last mistake that you want to make when filing a personal injury case is doing it alone without the help of a lawyer. The chances are that the defendant’s insurance provider will offer you a small compensation amount that may not take care of the medical expenses. Unfortunately, some minor injuries like concussion have lasting effects such as migraines.
Personal injury cases take long
Some people who get involved in accidents and suffer traumatic injuries ignore hiring a personal injury lawyer because they are misinformed. People have the notion that personal injury claims are lengthy. In reality, most personal injury cases don’t even make it to the courtroom. Most people settle the cases out of court.
You can’t file a claim with minor injuries
You might shy away from contacting a personal injury lawyer if you have sustained minor injuries. But that is a mistake that you shouldn’t make. You need to file a claim, regardless of the severity of injuries sustained. Minor injuries attract medical bills, and you deserve compensation for all the medical expenses. You should consult an attorney because sometimes insurance providers lowball minor injuries, which is wrong.
You are guaranteed compensation over your losses
While several personal injury claims result in some settlement, plaintiffs are not always guaranteed settlement. Most people are under the misconception that personal injury claims result in easy money, which is not always the case. Judges are different, and so are the rulings.
There’s no timeline for filing claims
Sometimes victims take a long time to file personal injury claims. They have the notion that they can submit at any time without regulations. The truth is that most states have laws that limit the timeline for filing claims. The amount of time is based on the type of personal injury. Therefore, it’s prudent to file as soon as the damage has occurred.
If you have been injured in an accident, contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. Don’t let these myths deter you from seeking compensation. Similarly, make sure that you familiarize yourself with personal injury laws.
