While there is an abundance of information available to the public regarding personal injury cases, a majority of it is often untrue or misleading. For the benefit of those who have been injured by the neglect or misconduct of others, the attorneys at Pope & Howard, P.C. in Atlanta have decided to shed some light on the facts—or lack thereof—behind five of the most common personal injury myths.
Listed below are five of the most common personal injury myths, and the facts that make them fiction:
Personal Injury Myth #1: “I’m going to get rich.”
This common misconception about personal injury cases is very rarely true. Remember that the purpose of a personal injury lawsuit is to ensure that the plaintiff be fairly compensated for the damages they’ve suffered, not to make them rich.
Personal Injury Myth #2: “I don’t need a lawyer.”
It is true that some cases don’t require a lawyer, and that by not hiring an attorney you will avoid paying for legal fees. Going without legal counsel, however, means that you might not fully understand the intricacies of what’s involved in your case and how much compensation you can reasonably expect to receive.
Personal Injury Myth #3: “I can receive compensation for a frivolous injury.”
This common myth stems from the now-famous McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit. What most people don’t understand about that case is that the injuries sustained by Stella Liebeck—the 79-year-old plaintiff—were actually serious. Liebeck had to remain in the hospital for eight days following the accident. She also underwent follow-up procedures for two years after the hot coffee incident. Additionally, the case did not, in actuality, reward her with the countless millions that the myth claims it did. The two parties eventually settled the case out of court for an undisclosed amount under $600,000.
Most of the ‘frivolous injury’ cases that people often hear about are simply untrue. And although the McDonald’s hot coffee case did finally end up settling for a large sum of money, those cases are exceedingly rare.
Personal Injury Myth #4: “A personal injury case takes years to settle.”
This is not usually the case. While it depends on the complexity of a case and the seriousness of injuries involved, most personal injury cases are resolved within, on average, about two years.
Personal Injury Myth #5: “I should let my insurance company handle everything.”
It is advisable to seek legal counsel before settling with your insurance company. Once you settle, you waive your right to additional compensation in the future. Insurance companies will try to get by with awarding you the least amount possible—after all, they are in the business of making money, just like any other company. Legal counsel will help to ensure that you receive the maximum possible amount of money from your insurance company.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, the experienced attorneys at Pope & Howard, P.C. can help you understand whether or not you have a good personal injury case. Personal injury cases all involve different circumstances, and the expert attorneys at Pope & Howard are meticulous in navigating those intricacies in order to give their clients the best outcome possible.
About Pope and Howard, P.C.
Founded by Geoff Pope and Marc Howard in 2005, Pope & Howard, P.C. is an Atlanta-based trial law firm that specializes in tractor motor vehicle crashes, trailer accidents, construction site injuries, and other cases involving personal injury.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence or recklessness of another, call the expert trial attorneys of Pope & Howard, P.C. at (866) 910-0642 to schedule your initial consultation.
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