If you’ve gotten into a personal injury-related accident, you might be wondering whether or not all the rumors about cases are true. Do personal injury cases really take years? Is it worth it to file claims against family or friends? And are you allowed to file a claim whenever you’d like?
At Feller & Wendt, we are highly knowledgeable in personal injury law, and we have experience assisting many clients with their cases. We’re here to clarify the truth about a handful of myths related to personal injury accidents, so let us answer all of your questions.
Personal Injury Myths and the Truth About Personal Injury Claims
Many myths make the personal injury claim process seem daunting, but with professional help, much of the claim is handled for you. Learning the truths about claims is the first step to getting the compensation you deserve.
Myth #1: Personal Injury Cases Take a Long Time
Many people believe personal injury cases are long and drawn out, possibly lasting for several years. However, many cases conclude in settlement within a few months, especially if you have a qualified personal injury lawyer. If you would like to get back to your everyday life as quickly as possible following your accident, your lawyer might be able to help you with this.
Myth #2: Insurance Won’t Pay
If you’ve been in an accident, you might think the at-fault party pays for damages out of pocket. However, if any of the involved parties have insurance, there’s a chance for an insurance company to pay for at least a portion of the costs. This means most people involved in an accident, as long as they have insurance, are not likely to experience significant economic issues.
Myth #3: The Responsible Party Will Pay
In the state of Arizona, fault is calculated based on a party’s percentage of pure comparative negligence. This means that more than one party might be considered responsible for an accident. When this occurs, you’re likely to remain liable for at least the percentage of fault you collect. So if you are 30% at fault in a car accident, you may pay for at least 30% of your medical bills. This is the case even if another party has more responsibility than you.
Myth #4: You’ll Have to Go to Several Hearings
When it comes to personal injury cases, most don’t go to trial. This means you may not need to go to court or attend a hearing at all, especially if your case never leaves the settlement stages. Your personal injury lawyer may maximize the potential compensation you receive, utilizing their adept negotiation skills during settlement.
Myth #5: You Can File Whenever You Want
In Arizona, there is a statute of limitations for personal injury accident cases. This means you have two years to file a claim, beginning from the date of the accident. If you’ve been in an accident and you’re considering taking legal action, you may want to file as quickly as possible.
Myth #6: Settlement Mostly Goes Toward Lawyer Fees
Most personal injury lawyers in Phoenix, AZ in Arizona will charge less than 40% of your claim winnings, and this generally only occurs on a contingency fee basis. This means at least 60% of your winnings are likely to go toward your costs, and if you don’t win you will not likely pay your lawyer anything.
Myth #7: People With Insurance Don’t Need a Lawyer
Even if you have insurance, a qualified personal injury lawyer may be able to assist you in your case. Your lawyer may be able to help you get paid the compensation you deserve, especially because many insurance companies will try to minimize the amount they’re obligated to pay out. A qualified personal injury lawyer may be able to maximize your potential compensation with their negotiation skills and legal knowledge, holding them accountable.
Get the Compensation You Deserve With an Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer From Feller & Wendt
We at Feller & Wendt are familiar with the feelings and processes associated with personal injury cases, and we are dedicated to protecting our clients as if they’re family. We have over 70 years of combined experience and a 95% case success rate, so you can trust that we will do all in our power to deliver a successful outcome. We’re confident and compassionate, and we are prepared to aid clients through every step of the legal process.
We may be able to assist in handling the insurance companies, negotiate to lower your fault, and several other steps for your circumstances. If you think we might be able to help you with your personal injury case, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us with details or questions you may have. Call us at (480) 702-2277 or complete our contact form.
