Personal injury victims often suffer physical injuries as well as emotional and mental trauma. However, many avoid filing claims because of the misconceptions surrounding the cases. These misconceptions can cause long-term harm to the victims and their families as they have to handle the expensive medical bills themselves and live with the trauma of the accident without any justice. Speaking to a personal injury attorney like Pacific Attorney Group and doing your own research can help you clear some of these misconceptions and take appropriate action. Below are some of the common misconceptions about personal injury claims:
The Insurance Company Will Not Change Their Initial Offer
Most insurance adjusters will tell you that their initial settlement offer is the highest you can get. This need not be true. Insurance companies conduct their own investigation to determine the value of your damages. Their initial offer is usually an undisclosed percentage of what they believe is the final value of your claim. Most of the time, the initial offer is the lowest amount the adjuster thinks you will accept. The adjuster, however, may tell you that this is the best offer so that you accept it, and they can close the claim before you get a chance to speak to an attorney.
Speaking to a Lawyer Will Not Help If Your Injuries are Minor
You don’t have to be critically injured to file a claim. What is now a minor injury could be more serious than you think and have a long-term impact on your health. For instance, whiplash may feel like a small injury, but it could cause chronic headaches and neck pain, leading to significant suffering. Therefore, you must not assume your injuries are minor. Instead, you should get medical attention and consult a lawyer about your options.
You Won’t Need a Personal Injury Lawyer if You Have Insurance
This is a very common belief but is not true. Insurance companies usually don’t consider your best interest when making an offer. Instead, they will try to offer you the lowest settlement and close the case. Sometimes, you will have to consult a personal injury lawyer and take legal action against the responsible parties to get the best possible outcome from your case.
You Will Have to Visit Court Always
Another misconception about Georgia personal injury laws is that you will have to visit court regularly till your case is closed. And the fear of attending court is one of the biggest deterrents for anyone making a claim. But in reality, most lawsuits get settled out of court. Hence, unless there is an issue where both parties cannot agree at all, you will not have to go to court for your claim.
You Will Be Taxed on Your Personal Injury Compensation
Most people hesitate to file a claim for their injuries because they could be taxed on the redress. However, this may not be true in most states. The redress you receive as a part of your settlement for physical injuries may not be taxed unless you qualify for any exception that states otherwise. Speaking to a personal injury attorney can help you determine whether you will be taxed for your compensation.
Personal Injury Claims are Complex and Will Take a Long Time
You may hesitate to file a personal injury claim because the entire process could be too long and stressful. This could be true if you handle the claim yourself. Personal injury law is complex, and you may not understand the legalities and nuances, making the claims process difficult. However, hiring an experienced personal injury law firm like Pacific Attorney Group can make the entire process stress-free. They have been helping people with their personal injury lawsuits for decades. The lawyers have in-depth knowledge of the law and the claims process. They can legally guide you, advise you every step of the way, help with documentation, collect evidence and speak to witnesses, represent you in front of insurance adjusters and the other party’s lawyers, and if required, even take the case to court to get you the best outcome possible.
Personal injury claims can be complex when you try to do everything independently. Understanding the law, getting the documentation correct, and remembering the minutest details about the incident, all while healing from your physical and mental trauma, can be overwhelming. What can make it easy is having an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side to guide you and represent you in front of the other party, insurance adjusters, and court. So next time you or your loved ones are injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t hesitate to contact a personal injury lawyer and seek help.
