4 Myths About New Jersey Personal Injury Cases
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Personal injury cases are wildly misunderstood.
In part that’s because large corporations and insurance companies have engaged in some pretty expensive public relations campaigns to discourage people from engaging in personal injury suits.
As New Jersey personal injury lawyers we encounter many of these myths every day. We’d like to take a moment to debunk them.
Myth #1: Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit is a Frivolous, Selfish Thing to Do
Filing a personal injury lawsuit is often the only way to get your medical bills covered. It’s often the only way to get your bills paid after an accident.
Remember you can only win a personal injury lawsuit if someone else has been negligent. You’re getting compensation not just because “stuff happens” but because someone has either failed to do something they are supposed to do or has done something they should not have been doing.
It’s not much different than seeking restitution because you have been robbed or payment for your hospital bills because someone has punched you. These accidents deprive people of their ability to work, keep up with their kids, or enjoy hobbies. They can set some of their victims up for lifetimes of pain. Seen in that context paying a personal injury lawsuit is literally the defendant (or rather, the defendant’s insurance company) can do.
Even the most common example of a “frivolous” personal injury suit, the McDonald’s hot coffee suit, was not frivolous at all.
Myth #2: Going to a Lawyer Will Leave Me Worse Off
The numbers say differently. Studies show it is very risky to go without a lawyer. Only 51% of the people who try it ever get paid.
Those who get lawyers receive payouts 90% of the time.
Then there’s the amount you get paid. If you hire a lawyer you walk away with an average of $77,600 in compensation, compared to those who handle their own injury claims to walk away with just $17,600.
Even after the contingency fee is taken into account (30% to 45%, typically) you come out ahead, with the money you need to get back on your feet after your accident.
Myth #3: Your Insurance Will Take Care of Everything
In a no-fault state like New Jersey this is sometimes true for a more minor accident. That’s certainly how it’s supposed to work.
In reality, there are instances of clear negligence where the other driver’s insurance company is responsible. In addition, there are instances where you need a lawyer’s help to get your own insurance company to pay out.
In general, the more expensive your case is the more likely you are to need an attorney’s help.
Myth #4: You’ll Force the Other Driver to Pay Out of Pocket
Few people relish the idea of suing other average people just like themselves. They know how hard such a lawsuit would be on them and they don’t want to inflict that pain on others. This is especially true when family members or friends are the negligent party.
Admirable, but it’s not something you have to worry about. The other driver doesn’t pay out of pocket. The insurance company pays, up to policy limits.
Get the help you deserve today.
If you’ve been injured you only have two years from the date of the accident to get the compensation and representation you deserve.
Reach out to our law offices to get help today.
See also:
Do You Have to Talk to the Insurance Adjuster in Your NJ Personal Injury Case?
Do All New Jersey Car Accidents Require Help from a Personal Injury Attorney?
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Personal injury cases are wildly misunderstood.
In part that’s because large corporations and insurance companies have engaged in some pretty expensive public relations campaigns to discourage people from engaging in personal injury suits.
As New Jersey personal injury lawyers we encounter many of these myths every day. We’d like to take a moment to debunk them.
Myth #1: Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit is a Frivolous, Selfish Thing to Do
Filing a personal injury lawsuit is often the only way to get your medical bills covered. It’s often the only way to get your bills paid after an accident.
Remember you can only win a personal injury lawsuit if someone else has been negligent. You’re getting compensation not just because “stuff happens” but because someone has either failed to do something they are supposed to do or has done something they should not have been doing.
It’s not much different than seeking restitution because you have been robbed or payment for your hospital bills because someone has punched you. These accidents deprive people of their ability to work, keep up with their kids, or enjoy hobbies. They can set some of their victims up for lifetimes of pain. Seen in that context paying a personal injury lawsuit is literally the defendant (or rather, the defendant’s insurance company) can do.
Even the most common example of a “frivolous” personal injury suit, the McDonald’s hot coffee suit, was not frivolous at all.
Myth #2: Going to a Lawyer Will Leave Me Worse Off
The numbers say differently. Studies show it is very risky to go without a lawyer. Only 51% of the people who try it ever get paid.
Those who get lawyers receive payouts 90% of the time.
Then there’s the amount you get paid. If you hire a lawyer you walk away with an average of $77,600 in compensation, compared to those who handle their own injury claims to walk away with just $17,600.
Even after the contingency fee is taken into account (30% to 45%, typically) you come out ahead, with the money you need to get back on your feet after your accident.
Myth #3: Your Insurance Will Take Care of Everything
In a no-fault state like New Jersey this is sometimes true for a more minor accident. That’s certainly how it’s supposed to work.
In reality, there are instances of clear negligence where the other driver’s insurance company is responsible. In addition, there are instances where you need a lawyer’s help to get your own insurance company to pay out.
In general, the more expensive your case is the more likely you are to need an attorney’s help.
Myth #4: You’ll Force the Other Driver to Pay Out of Pocket
Few people relish the idea of suing other average people just like themselves. They know how hard such a lawsuit would be on them and they don’t want to inflict that pain on others. This is especially true when family members or friends are the negligent party.
Admirable, but it’s not something you have to worry about. The other driver doesn’t pay out of pocket. The insurance company pays, up to policy limits.
Get the help you deserve today.
If you’ve been injured you only have two years from the date of the accident to get the compensation and representation you deserve.
Reach out to our law offices to get help today.
See also:
Do You Have to Talk to the Insurance Adjuster in Your NJ Personal Injury Case?
Do All New Jersey Car Accidents Require Help from a Personal Injury Attorney?