After a personal injury, you may be dealing with painful injuries, a long recovery, and significant medical costs. While the cost of treatment is often a source of stress, you may be hesitant to pursue a claim for compensation due to the myths around personal injury law.
If this happens, you may experience lasting pain and financial hardship.
At Fetterman & Associates, PA, our experienced Florida personal injury lawyers are committed to answering all your questions and helping you understand the truth about personal injury law and your rights.
Myth 1: You Do Not Need to File a Personal Injury Claim for Minor Injuries
After being involved in an accident, you may not immediately know how serious your injuries are.
Many injuries are not physical and can worsen as time passes. It does not matter how severe your injuries are or seem; you need to seek a medical evaluation before deciding if you should pursue a personal injury claim.
Myth 2: The Personal Injury Legal Process Takes Up a Lot of Time
If you are involved in an accident and have experienced a traumatic injury, you may put off hiring a personal injury lawyer. The main reason is that you believe the legal process will be long and drawn out.
However, in most personal injury cases, this is not the case (there are exceptions). Most personal injury claims will not go all the way to court. Instead, they are negotiated out of court for a fair settlement.
There are situations where it may take years to settle; however, this is not most cases.
Myth 3: The At-Fault Party Must Pay for Damages Out of Pocket
Another reason you may be hesitant to file a personal injury claim because you believe the at-fault party must pay your costs out of pocket. You may be worried that by filing a claim, you will ruin someone else’s life.
However, in most situations, the insurance company for the other party will pay the settlement you are awarded.
Myth 4: If You Have Insurance, You Do Not Need Legal Representation
Insurance companies are not looking out for your best interests. In many cases, the insurance adjuster representing the insurance company will offer you a fast settlement offer hoping you will accept. If you do not have legal representation, you may accept the offer without realizing you are entitled to more.
In some situations, legal help is needed to hold liable parties accountable for their actions. At Fetterman & Associates, PA, we will work for you to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
Myth 5: You Can File a Personal Injury Claim at Any Time
This is not the case. In Florida, the time limit to file a personal injury claim for auto accidents, premises liability claims, and wrongful death cases are four years. For medical malpractice cases, workers’ compensation, assault, and battery (for example), you have just two years to file a claim.
You will lose the right to file if you do not meet the set time limit.
Myth 6: You Are Guaranteed Compensation for Your Losses
While many personal injury claims end with a settlement offer, there is no guarantee that this will happen to you.
Some people believe the myth that filing a personal injury claim is “easy money.” However, the truth is that the details of your case will determine if you receive compensation. Having an experienced personal injuey attorney can help increase the likelihood of receiving compensation.
Myth 7: If You File a Personal Injury Claim, You Are Greedy
This is one of the myths that has emerged in recent years. Unfortunately, there is a stigma that if you file a personal injury claim, you want “easy money.”
The truth is, you should not feel shame or guilt over trying to pursue a claim for the losses and injuries you sustained due to someone else’s negligence or carelessness.
The cost associated with hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, medication, and more can be financially devastating for many accident victims and their families. If you were injured, you deserve compensation for your losses and damages.
Myth 8: Waiting Will Result in a Larger Settlement
If you hold out and do not accept the settlement you are offered, you will get more money. While this may be a viable strategy for some situations, it is not guaranteed.
It is best to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who can negotiate with the other party’s insurance claim to help you secure a fair settlement amount.
Contact Fetterman & Associates, PA, for Help with Your Personal Injury Claim
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence or carelessness, you deserve to receive compensation. Our personal injury attorneys at Fetterman & Associates, PA, can help you file a personal injury claim and ensure you receive a fair settlement offer.
The first step is to call our office to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your situation. We are dedicated to helping accident victims recover the compensation they are entitled to and can provide you with the same experienced services we have offered for years.
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