Do you need to hire a Personal Injury Lawyer? If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident or a slip-and-fall incident, you might be feeling confused or overwhelmed about what next steps to take.
Should you seek legal advice? Take the compensation provided by your insurance? Will it be expensive to speak to or hire a lawyer? If you go to court, how long will it take and is it worth your time and energy?
Those might be just a few of the many questions you have. Before you make any assumptions, it’s a good idea to get your facts straight!
6 Personal Injury Law Firm Myths & Facts
Myth #1: I don’t need a personal injury lawyer after a car accident – they will just take all my money.
Fact: At McGuiness Law, we only take on cases if we know we can maximize your claim. If not, we offer a free consultation and will recommend the next best steps for you to take.
Myth #2: I have to pay for my personal injury lawyer out-of-pocket.
Fact: Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis; they only get paid when you do!
At McGuiness Law, we don’t get paid until you get compensated, and there are no upfront costs to work with us. Once we reach a settlement, our pay comes from the insurance company and is deducted from your final settlement amount, never directly from your bank account.
Myth #3: I’ll have to go to court if I have a personal injury case.
Fact: About 98 percent of all personal injury cases are settled outside court. It’s in the best interest of both parties to try to settle a case as soon as possible.
Our team will seek to settle before a trial is necessary. In addition, we may utilize an alternative method outside of the courtroom, such as settlement negotiations or mediation.
Myth #4: Only physical injuries are compensated.
Fact: Compensation can be obtained for psychological and emotional injuries, like difficulty sleeping or anxiety/depression.
In addition, you should take into consideration all costs you may have incurred as a result of your injury. This can include taxi fees or gas to and from appointments, purchasing pain medication (ie. Advil), hiring a cleaner, compensation for missing work, etc.
Myth #5: I don’t need a lawyer. It will be too much hassle.
Fact: Those that choose to have legal representation fare much better in personal injury cases. That’s because hiring a lawyer can help ease the burden of the entire situation.
At McGuiness Law, we fill out all paperwork on your behalf and guide you through the entire process helping to alleviate any uncertainty or stress. If you are in the hospital in an urban centre or rural community, our team can come to you, making the entire process easier. (Note: Dependant on COVID restrictions).
Myth #6: My insurance company will share all of my rights and fair compensation with me, so I don’t need a lawyer.
Fact: Insurance companies have no obligation to inform you of your legal rights. They can and often are selective in what they share with you. This includes not being clear on how you can maximize your claim outside of pain and suffering and more.
These myths and misconceptions around hiring a personal injury lawyer have prevented many Albertans from receiving the right legal advice and fair compensation they deserve.
Honesty and transparency are a part of our core values at McGuiness Law. If we believe that our fee will result in you receiving a lower settlement than what the insurance company is offering, we will not take on your case. We also offer a free consultation on all personal injury cases. Book yours today by calling 780-900-7941.