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Misconceptions and Myths about Personal Injury Claims
![Misconceptions and Myths about Personal Injury Claims](https://pb-law.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/pblaw-misconceptions-and-myths-about-personal-injury-claims-727x400.jpg)
What you’ll learn from this article:
- Many myths and misconceptions surround personal injury claims, so don’t be fooled by incorrect information.
- An experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyer can clear up your questions and provide legal insight into your situation.
- It’s worth busting through the myths because you could be entitled to significant injury compensation.
Have you ever noticed that everyone has an opinion about the law? When legal questions arise, people make assumptions and share incorrect information without giving it a second thought.
Beware of taking legal advice from anyone who isn’t an experienced lawyer in the right field of expertise. If you rely on a misconception about the law, you could put yourself in legal jeopardy and miss your only opportunity to claim the legal benefits you deserve.
In this article, the Indianapolis personal injury lawyers at Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery clear up common myths and misconceptions about personal injury claims.
Myth #1: There’s No Rush to Claim Injury Compensation
It’s a myth that you can take your time and allow months or years to pass before starting a legal claim. After your personal injury happens, you must act fast.
Indiana has a statute of limitations, or legal deadline, for personal injury claims. Under Indiana Code section 34-11-2-4, you have just two years to file your claim, starting at the date of your bodily injury.
The longer you wait, the more time there is for vital evidence to be lost, forgotten, or destroyed. By contacting a personal injury lawyer as quickly as possible, you start preserving crucial evidence and interviewing essential witnesses immediately.
Myth #2: You Can’t Claim Compensation if You’re Partially at Fault
Partial responsibility doesn’t ruin your case in Indiana, so don’t hesitate to talk to a lawyer about your personal injury claim just because you’re worried about taking the blame. Under the comparative fault rule, each party’s role will be evaluated and you’ll be assigned a percentage of liability.
As long as you hold less than 51% liability you can start an accident injury claim. Your monetary award will simply be reduced somewhat according to your share of the responsibility. You could still win thousands or even millions of dollars, depending on the details of your case.
Myth #3: Personal Injury Claims are Pointless or Frivolous
Famous cases like the McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit make people think all legal claims are a big joke. But behind each case is a real person who may have suffered serious injuries. Could you handle a mountain of bills plus months of suffering without taking legal action?
In the McDonald’s case, the 79-year-old woman had severe burns and needed expensive surgical reconstruction. McDonald’s was found to be 80% at fault and offered the injured woman just $20,000, but she hired a lawyer and secured $160,000.
You deserve the full and fair value of your personal injury claim. There’s nothing funny or frivolous about needing help recovering from an accident after someone hurts you.
Myth #4: Insurance Means There’s No Need for Personal Injury Claims
Some people believe that the modern insurance industry has replaced the legal system for personal injury claims. It sounds easy enough to just use the insurance company’s online claims portal to get the money you need, right?
Not so fast. Insurance companies prefer to minimize payouts, so they usually make lowball offers and rush you through the claims process. They don’t want to give you time to think about your legal options.
Imagine accepting an insurance payment that barely covers your vehicle damage and still leaves you with plenty of medical bills, lost wages, bodily injury, and emotional trauma from the accident. A low payout could be ignoring your potential compensation for therapy, scars, disfigurement, pain and suffering, and more. You’ll need a lawyer to help you stand up for your rights and secure the full value of the benefits you deserve.
Myth #5: The Personal Injury Claim Process is Too Expensive
Paying a personal injury lawyer is easier and less expensive than most people realize. Unlike other types of lawyers who request up-front fees and retainers, most personal injury lawyers work on contingency fees.
A contingency fee is taken only when your case ends successfully and is deducted from your total award. This arrangement benefits you because your lawyer is financially motivated to get you both the highest possible case value.
Get the Facts From Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery – Indianapolis Personal Injury Accident Attorneys
Our experienced Indianapolis personal injury lawyers can help you dispel common myths and misconceptions about claiming injury compensation. We’re here to help you understand the process and feel confident in standing up for your rights. Don’t hesitate. One of our attorneys can assist you right away.
Contact Poynter & Bucheri Accident Recovery at 1-800-265-9881 now. We work on contingency fees and offer free initial consultations for personal injury claims.