An auto accident can change your life in an instant. Along with physical pain, you may face financial stress from medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs. Myths and misinformation about injury compensation can make it hard to know your rights. This confusion can lead to mistakes that cost you money, delay your recovery, and even prevent you from finding the legal representation you need to protect your rights.
A study by the Insurance Research Council found that injury victims who hired a lawyer received settlements that were, on average, over 3.5 times larger than those who handled their claims without legal representation. This shows how important the right information and support are during the claims process.
At Strickland & Kendall, we’ve seen how myths about injury compensation hurt victims, leading to mistakes and unfair settlements. We’re here to clear up these misconceptions and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Myth #1: You Can’t File a Claim If You Were Partially at Fault
Many people believe they can’t file a claim if they were partly responsible for an accident. This is not true.
The Reality: Most states operate under comparative negligence laws. These laws allow you to get compensation even if you were partly at fault. Your total compensation will be adjusted based on your percentage of fault. For instance, if you’re found 20% at fault, you can still recover 80% of your damages.
How This Myth Can Cost You: Walking away from a claim due to shared fault can leave you without the financial resources you need for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
What You Should Do Instead: Don’t assume you’re not eligible. Speak to an attorney who can help you understand your rights. Visit our Auto Accident page to learn more about your options.
Myth #2: The Insurance Company’s First Offer Is the Best You’ll Get
After an accident, an insurance company may quickly offer you a settlement. While this might seem helpful, it’s often too low.
The Reality: Insurance companies are businesses, and their goal is to minimize payouts. Their first offer likely won’t cover all your medical costs, lost wages, or future expenses.
How This Myth Can Cost You: Accepting a low offer without fully understanding the value of your claim could leave you struggling to pay. Once you accept, you can’t ask for more money later.
What You Should Do Instead: Have an attorney review any settlement offers before you agree to them. At Strickland & Kendall, we help clients get fair compensation.
Myth #3: Hiring an Attorney Is Too Expensive
Many people think they can’t afford an attorney after an accident.
The Reality: Most personal injury attorneys, including Strickland & Kendall, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay anything upfront. Your attorney only gets paid if you win your case.
How This Myth Can Cost You: Without an attorney, you might get less money than you deserve. As mentioned earlier, clients with legal representation typically receive settlements that are, on average, 3.5 times larger than those without representation. Insurance companies often take advantage of people who don’t have legal help.
What You Should Do Instead: Take advantage of free consultations to see how an attorney can help. Hiring a lawyer often means getting a higher settlement. Learn more about our approach here.
Myth #4: All Accident Injury Cases End Up in Court
Some people worry that filing a claim means going to court. They imagine long trials and high stress. This is rarely the case.
The Reality: Most accident injury cases are resolved through settlements, not court trials. Attorneys work with insurance companies to negotiate fair settlements. Court is usually only necessary if both sides can’t agree.
How This Myth Can Cost You: Fear of court may prevent you from filing a claim, allowing insurance companies to avoid accountability.
What You Should Do Instead: Let an experienced attorney handle the legal process. At Strickland & Kendall, we strive to resolve cases quickly and efficiently, so you can get back to what matters most.
Myth #5: You Have Plenty of Time to File a Claim
After an accident, it’s easy to assume there’s no rush to file a claim. However, waiting too long can be a big mistake.
The Reality: Every state has a statute of limitations, which sets strict deadlines for filing a claim. Once the deadline passes, you can’t seek compensation. Delaying also makes it harder to gather evidence and find witnesses.
How This Myth Can Cost You: Waiting can hurt your ability to recover damages and leave you without financial support for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
What You Should Do Instead: Act quickly after an accident. Contact an attorney early to make sure your claim is filed on time. Visit our Auto Accident page to learn more.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
Misinformation about accident injury compensation can lead to costly mistakes, leaving victims without the financial recovery they need. From misunderstandings about fault to fears of courtroom battles, these myths often stop people from filing claims or getting fair settlements.
At Strickland & Kendall, we’re here to help. We make the process simple and fight for the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been injured in an accident, don’t wait. Contact us today for a free consultation, or visit our Auto Accident page to learn more. Let us fight for the justice and financial recovery you’re entitled to.