3 Common Misconceptions Regarding Personal Injury Claims

If you think most personal injury lawsuits are frivolous, you’ve fallen victim to believing one of the most common myths about this practice area. People often refer to the “Hot Coffee” lawsuit when discussing such cases, but there’s a lot more to that particular claim than the media led people to believe.

For example, did you know that the woman who sustained serious burns when a McDonald’s coffee spilled on her legs incurred more than $10,000 in medical bills? When she reached out to the fast food behemoth for reimbursement, though, Reader’s Digest reports they responded with a settlement offer of $800. It was only then that she proceeded to contact a lawyer.

Although a few ignoble individuals might try to “get rich quick” by staging car accidents and then filing frivolous injury claims, most crash victims pursue legal action against the parties liable for their injuries because they have simply run out of options. Unfortunately, the idea that most claims are frivolous is not the only misconception regarding personal injury law that many people believe.

If you were injured due to another person’s negligence and you want to find out if you have grounds for a claim, contact the Cooper Law Firm. Attorney N. Eric Cooper helps clients throughout east Texas, and he will assess the circumstances of your accident and advise you on the best way to proceed. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free case evaluation with an accident lawyer in Dallas.

Read on to learn about some of the most common misconceptions regarding personal injury claims:

1. Filing a Claim Against a Friend or Family Member Will Threaten His or Her Financial Security

If you are riding as the passenger in a friend’s vehicle and you end up sustaining serious injuries in a collision, you may be hesitant to file a claim against your friend. As long as he or she has insurance coverage for such a scenario, though, you do not have to worry about “taking money” from your friend.

If you are concerned that pursuing legal action will hurt your friendship, on the other hand, that’s a different story; however, a true friend will want to ensure you get the compensation you deserve since recovering from debilitating injuries can affect your ability to provide for your family.

2. It Will Take Years to Secure Any Kind of Compensation

Although some injury cases can be especially complicated and might take months or even years to resolve, you can expect to receive compensation for a fairly straightforward car accident within a reasonable period of time. Since covering the damages you incurred out of pocket can add up quickly, your accident lawyer will do everything in his or her power to complete the claims process as soon as possible.

3. During the Claims Process, I Will Have to Attend Lengthy Hearings

If you are recovering from serious injuries, you may not even be able to leave the house, let alone attend a hearing regarding your claim. Fortunately, most personal injury claims reach a settlement that is satisfactory for both parties before reaching trial.

If you were hurt in a car accident that was not your fault and you want to learn more about the claims process, contact the Cooper Law Firm. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Dallas. You can learn more about car accident claims in Texas by visiting USAttorneys.com.