Being injured in a serious accident can leave victims with costly medical bills and loss of income from an inability to work while in recovery. However, many people are often discouraged to seek legal representation to file a lawsuit because of misconceptions regarding the injury claims process.
Below, our legal team review some of the common misconceptions with filing a lawsuit to get a better understanding of how the entire process works. To learn about your rights and how to move forward after an accident, reach out to request a free consultation with no obligation to take legal action.
Chances of Success Are Exaggerated
Some people think that lawyers exaggerate the chances of success for their clients and the likelihood of getting a large settlement, all in the hopes of retaining them.
Although a lawyer can give you a general idea of what your potential case may be worth, there is no way to know exactly how much you could ultimately receive via a settlement or verdict. There are a multitude of factors that affect a case’s value and the factors of every case are different from the next.
Exaggerating any amount of compensation would only mean disappointment for the client and a bad reputation for the law firm. Lawyers depend on their reputation to get more work and referrals from satisfied clients to help bring in new clients. It would be a disservice for a lawyer to mislead a client.
A Case Must Be Settled Before Medical Treatment
You do not need to wait for a lawsuit to settle before obtaining medical treatment. Getting evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible can show the extent of your injuries and connect these injuries to the accident. Your medical records would also help your lawyer calculate the compensation amount needed to cover your present and any future medical bills.
If you are worried about ways to pay your medical treatment prior to receiving money from a settlement, many doctors would be willing to work with you during the injury claims process.
Most Lawsuits Are Frivolous
The majority of lawsuits filed are done so by regular people who have suffered injuries from legitimate accidents. Someone becomes injured, his or her injuries were clearly caused by someone else, and after negotiating back and forth, a settlement is reached or a reasonable outcome is reached at trial.
Personal injury lawyers will not take every case that comes through. This is because most of them work on a contingency fee basis, so they only get paid for their services if the case is resolved. This would make a lawyer work harder to get a favorable settlement for his or her client.
Only Physical Injuries Are Compensated
Many injuries are complex and are not always just physical. If you suffered an injury that was not physical, this does not mean it is any less life-altering and/or unworthy of financial compensation.
You could potentially be compensated for mental and emotional injuries you have experienced during and after the accident. This could include post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, sleep issues and other psychological symptoms.
Learn more about the types of losses compensated in personal injury cases.
Lawsuits Take Too Long to Resolve
Most people are surprised to find out that the majority of personal injury lawsuits are settled outside of the courtroom and never go to trial. It is often in the best interest of all parties involved to negotiate a settlement rather than resolving it in court. A trial can be a risky, expensive and lengthy process.
A settlement can be reached before the judge or jury makes an official decision. Another alternative to going to trial includes mediation. A mediator is a neutral third party who helps facilitate a settlement between both parties.
Our Legal Team is Here to Help
If you need help filing a lawsuit, reach out to our licensed Windsor personal injury lawyers today. A consultation with us is completely free. You are under no obligation to hire us to represent you, but if you do, you pay us nothing up front unless we help you obtain compensation.
We are available anytime, day or night, to take your call or chat online. We also have a free online form you can fill out and a legal representative from our firm will contact you shortly.
Greg Monforton & Partners. No Risks. No Obligations. Ph: (866) 240-9274.