Some victims are hesitant to file personal injury claims after an accident because of common myths linked to these cases. An accident lawyer can provide accurate legal information that is case-specific.
Avoiding Myths About Accident Cases
Personal injury law involves a variety of accidents and injuries that range from minor to catastrophic. Accident lawyers handle injuries from car, truck, and motorcycle crashes, pedestrian slip and falls, fires and explosions, and medical errors. In addition, many personal injuries are caused by the negligent actions of another person, which creates room for liability and damages.
Thousands of people suffer injuries caused by accidents every day. While some accidents result in broken bones, others result in long-term or permanent disabilities that impact a victim’s life significantly. A person who suffers injuries from an accident that was not his or her fault has the right to pursue legal action through an attorney. While the legal system helps hold negligent people responsible for the harm they have caused, common myths often prevent people from filing injury claims.
Myth 1: Lawyers Are Too Expensive
Personal injury law often gets a bad reputation due to constant media ads and television commercials that promote injury lawyers. Often, these advertisements are perceived as a way for lawyers to get a big paycheck. The truth is that many accident lawyers who handle personal injury cases offer free consultations to discuss a case and work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if the case is won. The lawyer’s charges are usually paid through a percentage of a personal injury settlement.
Myth 2: The Insurance Company Will Never Pay
People carry insurance for protection against costly bills if an accident occurs. Although insurance companies often minimize claims and payouts for injuries, settlements usually get paid. If an insurer offers a low or unfair settlement or disputes an injury claim, an accident lawyer can negotiate on the injured party’s behalf. In most cases, an insurance company will negotiate a higher settlement with a lawyer to avoid a lawsuit and a formal court trial. When an injury case is settled, the at-fault party’s insurance company pays for damages.
In Illinois, personal injury cases must be filed in civil court within the statute of limitations, two years from the date of the accident. If the statute of limitations expires, the case will likely be dismissed by the judge.
