7 Misconceptions About Personal Injury Lawyers

Vrana Law Firm Personal Injury Attorneys
True or false? You’ll learn about common misconceptions for personal injury lawyers in this post….

The last thing many people want to do after an accident is file a personal injury claim and work with a personal injury lawyer. This is because there are many stigmas and misconceptions about personal injury law that create a negative connotation, but are not true.

In fact, hiring a lawyer who focuses on personal injury can make life after an accident much easier and can help you get the compensation you are entitled to.

1. Personal Injury Cases are Long and Drawn Out
False.
Many people refrain from filing a personal injury claim because they assume it will be a long, drawn out process. However, many cases are settled before they ever end up in a courtroom. An experienced personal injury attorney will work to settle your case swiftly to get you the compensation you are entitled to without going to court.

2. Minor Injuries Don’t Warrant a Personal Injury Lawyer
False.
Minor injuries still require medical bills, and if you’ve sustained a minor injury in an accident, you are entitled to compensation. Oftentimes in cases with minor injuries, insurance companies will offer a low amount that will not cover basic medical expenses. A personal injury lawyer will fight for you and work with the insurance company directly to ensure your expenses are covered in full.

3. People With Insurance Don’t Need a Personal Injury Lawyer
False.
Insurance is there to help cover your expenses when you are in an accident. Yes, that is true. However, it doesn’t mean you don’t need a personal injury lawyer to help navigate the settlement. Personal injury lawyers have experience negotiating with insurance companies to help you receive maximum compensation from your coverage.

4. I Can File a Personal Injury Case at Any Time
False.
Most states have a statute of limitations, or a time limit, on how long you have to file a personal injury claim. Arizona is one such state. In most cases, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. If you sustained injuries, the two years may begin on the date you discovered those injuries. A personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the nuances of the statute of limitations and ensure you file a case within the time limit. In some cases you can have as little as 180 days. In others only one year.

5. My Insurance Will Automatically Cover All of My Costs If I File a Claim
False.
You are not guaranteed compensation just because you file a personal injury claim. Insurance companies will review your case and will sometimes offer you a low amount, or offer you nothing at all. Filing a claim is not “easy money.” It is important to work with a personal injury lawyer to make sure you are not only filing your claim correctly, but also moving through the negotiations in a way that will benefit you the most.

6. The Person at Fault Will Have to Pay for My Injuries Out of Pocket
False.
Some people hesitate to file a claim because after being injured because they don’t want to force the other party to pay for their medical bills out of their own pocket. They don’t want to make that other person’s life harder. In most cases, the individual will not pay for the expenses, rather, the insurance company will cover the cost.

7. It’s Going to Cost Me a Lot of Money to Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer, and Even More to Hire One
False.
It should be free to talk with a personal injury lawyer. It is a red flag if a personal injury lawyer charges you for a consultation, and we recommended looking for a different lawyer. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingent fee structure, meaning they only get paid if they settle your case, so you are not out anything upfront and only pay your lawyer if you get what you are entitled to.

After you’ve been in an accident, especially if you’ve been injured, it is important to understand the role of a personal injury lawyer and how they can help you.

Have you been hurt in an accident? Contact a personal injury lawyer to make sure your rights are protected and to get the most from your insurance company. To schedule a free consultation with Vrana Law Firm, call 480-359-6002 or fill out the form below.

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