6 Myths About Personal Injury Lawsuits

Today we’re debunking 6 personal injury lawsuit myths so you know the dos and don’ts of what to do after an accident.

You can’t believe everything you read on the internet, but you can trust us when it comes to the law. Myths and stereotypes surrounding the legal field are all over, and some of them are actually hurting you in the long run. With myths surrounding the cost of a lawyer and the time limit that you have to file your claim, you might be missing out on an opportunity to get the settlement that you deserve. So let’s find out exactly what you might have been getting wrong when it comes to filing a personal injury lawsuit.

Myth #1: Hiring an attorney is expensive

Fact: Most personal injury lawyers only collect their fees if they win your case.

In nearly all personal injury cases, your attorney will be paid on a contingent fee basis.  This means your attorney will only charge fees if  your case is won, usually in the form of a percentage of the amount received. Under the contingent fee arrangement, you’ll never pay attorney fees out of pocket.

Myth #2: Personal injury claims usually settle quickly

Fact:  The time it takes to resolve a personal injury claim depends on the specific facts of the case.

While cases can occasionally be settled quickly, others can last for several years.  Our average time to settle an auto accident case is 18-24 months.  Different types of injuries have different levels of complexity, which will impact how long it takes for the attorneys and courts to arrive at an outcome.

Myth #3: There is no rush to contact an attorney after an accident

Fact: If you wait too long to file your claim, you can lose your right to recover your losses.

Personal injury claims are subject to statute of limitations. A statute of limitation is a legal rule about the length of time you have to file a claim after an accident.   In Michigan, you have one year from the time of the accident to a file a claim for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, and three years to file a pain and suffering claim.  If you do not file within this time, it is very difficult to recover from your car accident.

Myth #4: You should give a very detailed explanation of the accident to your insurance company

Fact: What you say might be used against you.

Insurance companies are not your friends.  Their whole business model is predicated on paying out less money than they take in.  How they do that is by denying claims and by minimizing injuries and minimizing the amount they pay out to accident victims.  When you speak with insurance adjusters, they are looking for reasons to not pay your claim.  You might end up suing your own insurance company if they don’t pay your benefits.  A good attorney will have years of experience dealing with insurance companies – let them talk to the insurance company.

Myth #5: It’s not worth talking to a lawyer if you have minor injuries

Fact: Even less severe injuries may entitle you to compensation.

Whether you have a minor back ache or a spinal cord injury, it’s important to contact a personal injury attorney after an accident.  What may seem like minor aches and pains from a crash, can sometimes result in devastating or fatal consequences.  Accident victims should always seek medical attention immediately after being involved in a car accident.  It’s common for injuries to take time to fully manifest, but a doctor can quickly diagnose and treat injuries before they get worse.  Click here to watch Mike talk more on this.

Myth #6: You’re guaranteed to win if the other party was at fault

Fact: Without a qualified attorney on your side, you might not receive justice for your injuries – even if someone else caused them.

Even though someone else’s carelessness caused your injuries, that’s no guarantee that you’ll prevail in court.  The legal field is full of pitfalls and landmines.  An experienced personal injury attorney will know what evidence is needed and will bring your claim together in the proper context.

Now that you know the facts, you’ll be more prepared if you’re ever injured an accident. Our team of experienced lawsuit lawyers are here to help and will handle your case with skill and compassion, advocating for your rights. Contact us 24/7 at 855-MIKE-WINS (855-645-3946) or email us to set up a free consultation.

You can’t believe everything on the internet, but you can believe us when we say — Mike WINS!

Content checked by Mike Morse, personal injury attorney with Mike Morse Injury Law Firm. Mike Morse is the founder of Mike Morse Law Firm, the largest personal injury law firm in Michigan. Since being founded in 1995, Mike Morse Law Firm has grown to over 200 employees, served 40,000 clients, and collected more than $1.5 billion for victims of auto, truck and motorcycle accidents. The main office is in Southfield, MI but you can also find us in Detroit, Sterling Heights and many other locations.