Personal injury law is intended to provide protection for people if they’re injured or harmed because of someone’s actions or failure to act. When filing a personal injury claim, the end goal is to receive compensation from the person at fault for losses suffered from the accident. Much like with any area of law, when it comes to personal injury there are myths that can cause confusion. In this blog post, we’re debunking five of the most common to give you clarity if a situation arises where you’ll need to file a personal injury claim.
It’s not worth filing a claim for minor injuries.
The severity of an injury shouldn’t be a determining factor of whether or not you file a personal injury claim. That’s because seemingly minor injuries can lead to treatment to find out the cause of your pain and even lead to expensive treatments. By working with a personal injury lawyer, you’ll gain a better understanding of how you can effectively handle your case and receive proper compensation.
You can file a personal injury case at any time.
Though you might be tempted to wait until your injuries heal to file a claim, don’t. There’s a statute of limitations on how long you can wait to file a personal injury claim. When it comes to personal injury law in Florida, the statute of limitations varies depending on the injury.
For example:
- Negligence (This can be characterized by most auto, motorcycle, boat injuries) – Four years
- Uninsured Motorist claim – Five years
- Wrongful death – Two years
- Products liability/defective products – Typically four years
- Medical negligence and malpractice/Dental malpractice – Two years from the date of the negligent act (when you knew or should have known of the alleged malpractice)
We suggest filing a claim shortly after an injury occurs.
Personal injury cases take too long.
There’s no definitive timeframe for a personal injury claim and because of that, the duration varies. More complicated cases can take years to resolve while straightforward cases can be resolved in under a year. At Cappy Law, we do everything in our power to complete the personal injury claim process as soon as possible.
You don’t need a lawyer if you have insurance.
This myth can lead to lost compensation and regret. Though it sounds harsh, an insurance company’s primary concern is to make a profit. If they can find a way to pay you the least amount of money or in some cases, nothing at all, they’ll do so. That’s why it’s important to employ the help of a personal injury lawyer who will fight on your behalf. Their knowledge of the fine print and the ins and outs of the insurance industry can help you get proper compensation.
Holding out results in larger settlements.
In some instances, holding out is the best strategy to receive a larger settlement. Other times, not so much. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney will help guide you through the process with a strategy catered to your claim/case to achieve the highest possible compensation.
Ready to file a personal injury claim? Contact us today and book your free case evaluation.
