Everyone is prone to experiencing an injury at least once in their life. It doesn’t matter if it is a minor wound or something more severe. Everyday situations ultimately lead us to some kind of unfortunate event. However, some severe cases may require legal procedures, especially if a particular injury is due to someone else’s negligence.

The stigma revolving around personal injury lawsuits hinders people from knowing the importance of such legal procedures. It makes sense that the first thing you think of after procuring an injury is to receive treatment. However, you should also consider hiring a personal injury attorney as your next course of action.

Not many people are widely familiar with the concept of personal injury lawsuits. Others think that it’s a pretty straightforward claim to make and head towards the process, handling things independently. However, here are some common myths or misconceptions about hiring a personal injury attorney that should definitely be debunked.

1. Lawyers are for severe injuries only

Being able to walk out of an accident unscathed often allows us to think that we are completely okay. For instance, getting out of a car accident without any type of wounds or lacerations may make the situation appear under control. You get some type of reassurance that you are doing okay, except perhaps for that minor stiff neck that you haven’t felt before.

These minor details, such as a sore muscle or stiff neck after an accident, need to be reported right away. You have to get them checked in order to see if it could lead to something more serious in the near future. Also, some minor injuries can cause temporary disability that may affect your work performance.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer will give you an insight into the types of benefits you can receive from the claim. Working with a personal injury lawyer will help make sure that you get what you deserve. For instance, you can get the insurance company to cover all the necessary medical expenses for your physical therapy sessions or other settlements.

2. They are very complicated and tiresome

You will find that many can resolve personal injury cases without taking them to trial. Although, you may have to gather a lot of documents such as medical bills, accident reports, and other important documents. With the help of a personal injury attorney, it’s pretty much smooth sailing from there.

If you don’t know your way around legal procedures, it can be a tiresome experience, especially if you can’t keep up with the deadlines. You may end up needing to take your claim to trial. However, lawyers can make your job significantly easier. Not to mention, they can also represent you in court if necessary.

3. Insurance covers everything

Another common misconception, and probably one of the most used reasons people don’t want to hire a personal injury attorney, is that they believe that the insurance can already take care of the expenses. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, especially for big insurance companies who like to get away with paying the bare minimum.

Not everyone is aware of how much they can actually get from a simple personal injury claim. For example, in a standard car accident, insurance should cover the vehicle’s repairs and replacements. However, it should also be able to shoulder lost wages caused by permanent or temporary disability due to the injury.

A personal injury lawyer who knows their way around these types of cases can help you recover what your claim is worth. Contrary to what some movies portray about personal injury lawyers caring only about their personal gain, a huge number of them genuinely care about their clients. They chose this particular branch of law specifically to help people in need.

4. Hiring a lawyer automatically gives me compensation

While most lawyers will do their best to help you receive the reimbursement you deserve, hiring one does not guarantee you anything. It only increases your chances, based on the given situation. However, if an attorney feels that you are not qualified to receive financial compensation, they will simply explain the realistic outcome of the claim.

If a lawyer guarantees you success, you may need to reconsider your options. Personal injury attorneys know that there is no 100% guarantee when filing a case. When you schedule a consultation, they should explain the specific details that can qualify you to receive a particular benefit.

5. Personal injury lawyers are expensive

Actually, personal injury lawyers only get paid with contingency fees. Basically, it means that you can hire them to help file your claim and represent you in a trial if necessary. However, they will only receive payment once you receive your monetary reward or reimbursement. If they failed at getting you the compensation, they wouldn’t get paid.

6. They are all the same

Although we call attorneys who handle these types of cases as personal injury lawyers, it doesn’t exactly mean that they can do the same job. Situations differ from case to case, and some are more adept at dealing with particular accidents than others. There is a wider variety of practice areas that attorneys need to focus on.

Fortunately, many law offices have free consultations wherein you can talk to one of their lawyers and ask them about their specialization. Try to find one who has handled a case that is similar to yours in the past. Ensure that they are comfortable with representing you in court so that you won’t run into any problems in the future.

Overall, personal injury lawyers are crucial to these kinds of lawsuits. Filing a claim is a lot more complicated than it seems because there are many things that you have to consider. Whereas, if you hire a personal injury lawyer, you don’t have to stress over legal processes and simply focus on your healing from the injuries.

Don’t be afraid to ask your potential attorneys questions that can reaffirm your ability to get you maximum compensation. Ask them about their professional opinion towards the case, and be open-minded to what they have to say. It’s okay to be picky and choose an attorney whose personality and experience suit your liking.