Here are 8 common Florida personal injury myths that we need to forget
You could be injured in a freak accident at any time. You deserve to be compensated for your injuries, but you might be nervous because you believe in some myths about personal injury cases. You might even make ill-advised decisions because you do not know what to do. Use these eight tips to learn what can be done to manage your personal injury case.
1. I Must Pay For A Consultation With An Attorney
Personal injury myths often prevent people from retaining an attorney. You do not need to pay an attorney for a consultation. Every lawyer has a pricing plan for their clients, and you should ensure that the lawyers you have chosen to speak with do not charge a consultation fee.
When you get your initial consultation, you will know if you need to pay for the consultation. You should also ask the attorney if they will continue to represent you without compensation until the case is closed. In Florida, contingency fee lawyers do not collect their fees until they have won your case.
2. I Do Not Need A Lawyer If I Have Car Insurance
You need a lawyer if you have insurance because your insurance company probably will not pay out your claim properly. The insurance company is in business to make money. They will do anything they can to pay as little as possible. You might even have your claim denied because the insurance company has found a technicality that allows them to avoid paying.
A lawyer can force the insurance company to pay your claim properly. Also, a lawyer from the insurance company will push you to settle as quickly as possible. You need a lawyer who will fight for your right to compensation, and your Florida personal injury lawyer should be completely unbiased.
3. I Can File My Claim At Any Time
You cannot file your claim at any time. In Florida, most personal injury claims have a four-year statute of limitations. You should also seek medical attention as soon as possible. When you do this, you will show that you have gotten and will receive treatment in the future.
When people turn out to be injured long after the accident, insurance companies tend to doubt the claim being brought. You should retain an attorney and file your claim as quickly as possible. At the same time, you should ensure that you continue to receive medical treatment during the case.
Your lawyer can continue to calculate how much money you deserve because you are receiving treatment, need more treatment, and could be disabled. If you wait too long to file your claim it will be denied because you have not filed before the deadline. There are little to no provisions allowing you to file after the statute of limitations has passed.
4. My Insurance Policy Covers All Damages And Injuries
Your insurance policy may cover some of your injuries and damage, but the insurance policy might claim that they are not liable for all your damages. This is very important because you cannot consistently submit receipts to the insurance company for coverage. You may need to pay your deductible, and you should work with a lawyer who will help you present a case to have all damages paid.
If another driver is at-fault in the accident, they could be held liable for the damages. Their insurance company may not properly pay, so you will need a Florida personal injury lawyer to help you recover those damages. You should not represent yourself in court, because the other driver will be represented by the insurance company’s lawyer.
5. The At-Fault Party Pays Out Of Pocket
The at-fault party does not pay usually pay for your out of pocket expenses. The money will come from their insurance company. This means that any dispute would be a fight with their insurance company or your insurance company. The insurance company that is supposed to pay for the damages might deny to properly compensate you.
You need a lawyer on your side who can work with you to make sure that you get properly paid. Your personal injury attorney will work with you to make sure that you understand how you will be paid.
6. Personal Injury Cases Take A Long Time To Close
Personal injury cases are not typically closed quickly even when your lawyer has evidence to show that you should be compensated. Many people would prefer to settle the case early to make it go away, and that is why you need a lawyer on your side who can negotiate a proper settlement for you, so you do not prematurely resolve the case to your detriment.
You should ask your lawyer to try to settle the case for a fair amount, so you can move on with your life. However, you should not accept a tiny amount of money. There is a time to settle, and there is a time to go to court.
7. Minor Injuries Do Not Require A Claim
Minor injuries require a claim and medical attention. You may be afraid of raising your insurance premiums but remember that can never be a justification for not seeking justice. You are filing a claim with their insurance company, and it is more likely that their insurance rates will rise.
Minor injuries can also turn into much worse injuries in the future, and that is why you should seek immediate medical attention.
8. You Are Guaranteed To Recover Compensation For Your Injuries
You are not guaranteed compensation for your injuries, and that is why you need to retain a lawyer. A lawyer can ensure that you are compensated for your injuries, and that is why you do not talk to the other insurance company or give your insurance company any more information than they need.
You cannot recover the appropriate compensation for your injuries and damage to your vehicle unless you work with a professional who handles personal injuries every day.
Conclusion
These personal injury myths are easy to get confused because you might have heard some of these things from someone else. You can avoid all these problems by retaining an attorney. An attorney will take over the case, and they will ensure you are compensated. You can even get a free consultation with the attorney of your choice before your filing your claim.
