Accidents and injuries can occur at any time. Whether you’re injured on the job, on the road, or at a business location, you may be eligible for compensation. To help you get the money you deserve, start by debunking these 10 myths about personal injury law.
- Myth: My insurance will cover everything. Far too many car accident victims have insufficient coverage. Don’t put all your faith in your insurer, or it could be too late once you decide you want to file a lawsuit.
- Myth: My injuries are too minor to warrant a lawsuit. If you’re in pain, even minor pain, you are likely entitled to compensation.
- Myth: If I file a personal injury lawsuit, I’ll end up spending years in court. The reality is most personal injury lawsuits don’t even go to court. It’s usually possible to work out a favorable deal with minimal interruption to your daily life.
- Myth: Car accident victims are automatically entitled to $10,000. Florida drivers are required to have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This pays 80 percent of your medical bills or 60 percent of lost wages, up to $10,000.
- Myth: Filing a personal injury lawsuit is expensive. Injury cases have a contingent fee arrangement. This means you don’t pay your lawyer until and unless you win. The initial consultation is also free, so it never hurts to contact a personal injury lawyer about your case.
- Myth: Filing a claim could make the negligent person go bankrupt. Whether it’s a car accident, dog bite injury, or slip and fall, the responsible party’s insurance provider is most often who will pay.
- Myth: I will appear greedy if I sue. While frivolous cases certainly exist, you are not greedy for seeking compensation for your losses following an accident. Besides, insurers don’t simply hand money over to settle your claim—you must substantiate your losses to win your case.
- Myth: I can’t recover damages if I was partially at fault for my injury. Florida is a pure comparative fault state, meaning you can recover damages even if you are partly to blame. Just be aware that your damages are reduced the more you are at fault.
- Myth: Personal injury lawsuits only pay for physical injuries. On the contrary, you can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages.
- Myth: It’s okay to exaggerate my injuries in a lawsuit. The defense will investigate your injuries thoroughly, and if you’re caught exaggerating, you could undermine your chances of recovering the damages you truly deserve.
