Whether it comes to widespread beliefs that have been around for a long time or new ideas being shared by individuals online: there are many myths surrounding personal injury claims.
These myths can stop individuals from seeking help, cause them to miss important details and deadlines, and even end up costing many thousands of dollars.
Let’s look at some of the common myths we know exist and see what’s actually true.
MYTH 1: Lawyers are far too expensive.
This myth is a very frustrating one for lawyers, as it simply isn’t true for many cases. At McGuiness Law, for example, we are paid on a contingency basis. This means that we do not charge you any upfront costs, and we only get paid if you win the case.
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This also means that we use a lot of discernment in deciding which cases to take on (as we want to ensure that you do indeed have a high chance of winning). If we feel that you will not benefit from working with us and a settlement in your favour is unlikely, we’ll tell you directly and will not take on your case.
And how do we determine if your case is a good one to take on? With a completely free, no-obligation consultation.
How does our contingency fee work? If we do represent you and you win your personal injury claim case, we take a percentage of your settlement as our payment.
MYTH 2: Using a lawyer will slow down the settlement process.
This is not the full truth. You may not experience any increase in time to settle, as lawyers and their team know how the legal system works and all the paperwork that needs to be completed.
If a claim does take longer to settle, it is because your lawyer knows how to negotiate, what to ask for, and how to maximize your claim (which may require collecting more evidence, etc.). Should your claim take a little bit longer to settle, bear in mind that you’re also very likely walking away with a bigger settlement than you would have received if you chose not to use the services of a personal injury lawyer.
MYTH 3: Physiotherapy treatments will only be covered for 3 months.
It depends on your specific injuries. Yes, some treatments are categorized under the Alberta Diagnostic Treatment Protocols Regulation, and benefits for these treatments expire after 90 days. This is often the case with less severe injuries. However, not all injuries are categorized under this regulation, and coverage may extend past 90 days.
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If you do end up having coverage for only 3 months but need more, remember that you might just have to pay out-of-pocket for the time being but may be able to get reimbursed for your out-of-pocket expenses later on. Again, your lawyer can assist you with this process.
MYTH 4: If you’ve already talked to an adjuster, you missed your chance to work with a lawyer.
This one is simply “false.” It does not matter at what stage you hire a lawyer; this is fully up to you. If you do decide to connect with a lawyer, the lawyer will take over any communications with the claims adjuster on your behalf going forward.
MYTH 5: Lawyers are unnecessary for your claim if your injuries are minor.
A lawyer will always be able to help ensure you get the most out of your settlement; even for injuries you assume are too minor. It also often happens that individuals assume their injuries are more minor than they actually are.
You may not realize that there are other benefits for which you qualify or that there are other accident-related expenses (or lost income) you’ve had for which you deserve compensation. Individuals often consider only their physical injuries. However, your personal injury lawyer knows what else could and should be compensated or reimbursed.
MYTH 6: To get a settlement, you have to go to court.
Actually, the majority of personal injury claims never go to court.
If you choose to work with an experienced lawyer, your chances of having to go to court are very unlikely. This is because a lawyer makes the entire claim process a lot smoother, knows all the deadlines and time frames that need to be considered, and fights for your rights and full compensation.
This, more often than not, results in clients being able to settle outside of court.
McGuiness Law
At McGuiness Law, we are experienced in and passionate about ensuring that the voices of our clients are heard (loud and clear!). We do not settle for less than what we know you deserve.
If you are struggling to sort out what is true and what is false from all the contradicting information you find online, call us and make use of our free consultations. Our goal is not to convince you to hire us but instead to empower you to understand which next steps make the most sense for your specific, unique case.
To connect with us, please use the contact form on our website, or call us at our toll-free number at 1-833-585-4145.