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Four Common Myths Surrounding Personal Injury Claims

There are a lot of myths surrounding personal injury claims and lawsuits. Sometimes, an injury victim may allow these myths to convince them not to file a claim and forgo hiring a personal injury lawyer near me that they may need to secure a fair settlement for their injury. But, trying to handle a personal injury case by yourself will give the insurance company the opportunity to take advantage of you and can cost you a better settlement. The following are some of the misconceptions surrounding personal injury claims:

Personal Injury Lawsuits Take Years

There is no way you can determine how long your lawsuit will take since you cannot compare one to another. While some cases are complicated and take years to resolve, others are more straightforward that it could take a more reasonable amount of time. But, your attorney will do their best to complete the claims process as soon as possible. 

Most of Your Settlement Goes to Your Lawyer

A lot of people think that lawyers offer legal representation at the cost of an arm and leg. Also, others believe they have to pay their attorney with money out of pocket. However, personal injury attorneys offer at least a free initial consultation, so they can see if your case is at least viable and offer some legal options. But, generally, these lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Thus, they are only paid contingent on your case’s outcome. Also, their pay comes as a percentage of the amount of money you recover from the case settlement. On average the rate is between 30% and 40%, which means most of your settlement still goes to you.

All the Costs Related to Your Injury will be Covered by Your Insurance

The main concern of your insurance provider is their bottom line. Although injuries from vehicle accidents are common, insurance carriers only pay about 50% of the costs associated with your accident. You may have to pay about 25% of your injury or accident costs out of your own pockets. And because this cost can add up quickly, you may have to file a personal injury claim.

You Can File a Claim Anytime

You should know that there’s a time limit on how long you can file a personal injury lawsuit. In California, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case provides you with two years from the date of your injury to go to court and file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.