Debunking False Impressions About Personal Injury Claims
If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you could consider making a personal injury claim. However, there are many misconceptions about the claims process, which can often put people off from taking action. In this article, we’re going to dispel some of the most common myths about personal injury claims so that you can decide whether or not placing a claim is right for you.
Myth 1: Personal Injury Claims Are Expensive
One of the main reasons why people don’t make claims for personal injuries is because they’re worried about the cost. However, many accident attorneys offer free initial consultations, so you can find out about the claims process without incurring any costs. Additionally, many personal injury lawyers work on a no-win no-fee basis, so you won’t have to pay anything if your claim is unsuccessful.
Myth 2: Personal Injury Claims Are Time-Consuming
An additional common misconception about claims involving personal injuries is that they’re time-consuming. However, the majority of claims are resolved within a few months, and some can even be settled within a couple of weeks. It’s important to bear in mind that every claim is different, and the time it takes to resolve it will depend on the individual circumstances.
Myth 3: You Need to Have Suffered a Serious Injury to Make a Claim
Another common myth is that you must have suffered a severe injury to make a personal injury claim. However, this isn’t the case. You can make a claim for severe emotional and psychological trauma even if you weren’t injured. For example, you witnessed a horrific traffic accident that left you traumatized.
Myth 4: You Need to Have Witnesses to Make a Claim
A common myth is that you need to have witnesses to make personal injury claims. However, this isn’t always the case. While witnesses can help to strengthen your claim, there are other ways of proving that the accident wasn’t your fault. For example, you could obtain CCTV footage of the accident, or get a statement from the police officer who attended the scene.
Myth 5: You Can Only Place a Claim if the Accident Happened Recently
Some people believe a myth about filing a claim for a personal injury is that you can only make a claim if the accident happened recently. This isn’t the case, as you usually have two years to make a claim from the date of the accident. However, it’s always a good idea to seek legal advice as soon as possible after an accident, as this will give you the best chance of success.
Myth 6: You Need to Go to Court to Try and Get Compensation
Many people are discouraged from making personal injury claims because they’re worried about going to court. However, about 95 percent of claims are settled with the at-fault party’s insurance company before they reach this stage. If your case does go to court, it will likely be because the insurance company doesn’t agree with the compensation amount that you require. In this situation, a judge or jury will decide how much you should receive.
Placing a Claim for a Personal Injury
It’s important to bear in mind that there are many misconceptions about the claims process. In this article, we’ve debunked some of the most common myths about claims for personal injuries so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not placing a claim is right for you.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Fremont
I’m Ed Smith, a Fremont personal injury lawyer. If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation. To find out more about making a personal injury claim, contact us today at (510) 631-0200 or (800) 404-5400. An online contact form is available also.
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