Despite the care that businesses and drivers and other places take to avoid accidents, they happen every day. When they occur, they can end with property damage, injuries, and in some tragic cases, even death. This is why personal injury litigation and insurance exists. These two things can offer monetary reimbursement to the injured victims. Although nothing can replace a loved one, having the money to cover medical bills, lost wages, lost property, and compensation for pain and suffering can go a long way towards making things right. However, personal injury litigation is not always straightforward, and there are some misconceptions, as the South Florida Reporter explains.
The following are some myths that surround personal injury lawsuits to be aware of.
You Must Have Serious Injuries to File a Complaint
No matter how small the injury is, if it requires medical attention you have to pay for it. No matter how serious the injury is, you should consult with a personal injury attorney to get the compensation that you deserve if it was someone else’s fault.
Lawsuits Take a Long Time to Resolve
The thought of spending a long time in court or waiting for a resolution can make someone hesitant to file a claim. However, the myth that personal injury cases take a long time to settle may not always be the case. Most personal injury cases end before a trial and are often settled out of court.
If You Have Insurance, an Attorney is Not Necessary
Insurance companies save you money and can compensate you after an accident. However, you should always contact an attorney after an accident, even if you have insurance coverage. An insurance company is in the business of making a profit and without an attorney, you could get less money in compensation than you deserve.
You Have Plenty of Time to File a Lawsuit After an Accident
Waiting too long can not only make the case more complicated later, but it can also mean that you lose out. Many jurisdictions have a time limit on when a case can be filed. In addition, filing the case earlier can mean that you get more compensation and make evidence supporting your claim easier to obtain.