Few areas of the law are as misunderstood as personal injury law. The public perception of these claims, pushed by media, is that they’re simply attempts at easy money and the people filing them are rarely actually hurt.
In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. For many people, personal injury claims are a last resort, the only option they have to not get taken advantage of by insurance companies after serious, life-disrupting injuries.
If you’ve ever been confused by misleading talking points about personal injury claims, it’s time to set the record straight.
Here are five things you might not realize about personal injury claims:
- Insurance Companies’ Initial Offers Are Often Far Less Than Injured People Deserve
Most people file personal injury claims out of necessity. It’s only after an insurance company offers them far less than they deserve, or denies their claim altogether, that they decide to take legal action.
It’s important for injured people to know that they are under no obligation to accept an insurance company’s first offer. Doing so could result in you receiving only a fraction of what you deserve.
- Many Personal Injury Lawyers Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
Many personal injury attorneys have a policy that they’ll only get paid if they win your case. At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, this is part of our Stone Cold Guarantee.
That means it’s not true that you “can’t afford” a lawyer. This also dispels the myth that personal injury attorneys after only after “easy money,” since they’ll only get paid if they get results for their clients, so they’re just as invested in your claim’s success as you are.
- Insurance Companies Often End Up Paying for Damages
Though personal injury lawsuits are usually filed against individuals or businesses allegedly at fault for an injury, it’s the insurance company that typically pays the damages an injured person is facing. In fact, the defendant in a personal injury lawsuit is often represented by an insurance company’s attorney.
- Pain and Suffering Are Included in Personal Injury Claims
Though personal injury claims allow an injured person to demand payment for the costs of an injury (medical bills, lost income, etc.), it also allows them to name “non-economic” damages, such as pain and suffering.
This is because the pain of your injuries is just as impactful on your life as the financial cost of your injuries. If you’re considering filing a personal injury claim, make sure you and your attorney determine the amount of non-economic damages you should demand.
- Most Successful Personal Injury Claims Are Settled Out of Court
The majority of personal injury claims are settled, which means both sides (you and the defendant/insurance company) agree to an amount without the need for a trial.
However, even though a trial is often unnecessary, experienced personal injury attorneys know that the best way to handle a case is to prepare it as if it is going to trial. This lets the insurance company know that the plaintiff won’t accept a low settlement offer.
Considering a Personal Injury Claim? We’re Here to Help
If you or a loved one has been injured through no fault of your own, you could be entitled to compensation. At Jason Stone Injury Lawyers, we believe everyone should explore their legal options before accepting an insurance company’s offer.
Contact the Massachusetts personal injury attorneys at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers for a free consultation on your case.
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