Our attorneys and support staff work hard to help our clients get the money they’re owed after accidents and injuries that weren’t their fault. To do that, we utilize the legal system by filing personal injury claims on their behalf and negotiating with insurance companies to get the money they need to cover the expenses they never would have incurred if they hadn’t been in the accident.
Despite the help we provide to innocent victims, our profession and industry has been disparaged by mainstream media and clouded with falsehoods, misconceptions, and myths.
These half-truths or outright fabrications are damaging not just to us, but also to the people we represent and the people who need our help the most. In some cases, victims may even rule out calling a lawyer because of the negative perception of what we do. As Indianapolis personal injury lawyers, it’s our goal to reverse this perception one client at a time—and by dispelling myths whenever possible.
Myth #1: Personal injury lawsuits are “frivolous.”
The term “frivolous lawsuit” entered public consciousness around the time that an elderly woman sued McDonald’s for serious burns to her legs and groin after hot coffee spilled in her lap.
This lawsuit was portrayed as a money grab over “just hot coffee,” but in reality, her burns were severe enough to require reconstructive surgery and her initial claim, which was denied before going to court, demanded only enough money to pay for her medical bills. Over the years, this label started to be applied to ALL personal injury lawsuits, and some people began to associate them with dishonest cash grabs. However, we, and now you, know this to be untrue.
Myth #2: Personal injury lawsuits are unnecessary when victims have health insurance.
There’s no question that injuries can be expensive. Between medical bills and lost wages, victims often have a difficult time landing on their feet financially. But many people view health insurance as a convenient solution to covering all hospital bills, physical rehabilitation costs, and prescription drug expenses.
In reality, health insurance rarely pays for all of a victim’s expenses, and many plans have huge deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums that can leave them paying tens of thousands of dollars out of their own bank account. Personal injury claims can help pick up the slack for these unexpected additional expenses.
Myth #3: Personal injury lawyers are expensive.
Another common misconception about lawyers is that they are expensive. Many people expect to pay hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, just to talk with a lawyer, let alone hire one to represent them.
But at Wagner Reese, we’re different. We know that money is often tight after an injury or accident, and that’s why we never charge for our consultations. When you call us, you’ll get peace of mind knowing you’ll never see a bill for simply telling us what happened and letting us evaluate your claim. And better yet, you won’t see a bill at all unless we get you a settlement.
Myth #4: Personal injury lawsuits aren’t worth the trouble.
Insurance companies spend big bucks on advertising campaigns that attempt to convince the public that they pay claims quickly, easily, and fairly. But if that’s true, how would those same insurance companies report huge profits year after year? The answer: their claims aren’t true, and they will do everything they can to reduce or deny your payment.
Many injured victims are enticed by initial settlement offers from insurance companies just to get it over with, but those “lowball” offers are rarely enough to cover all of their expenses. Having a lawyer on your side means knowing exactly how much your injury will cost you now and later, as well as having an advocate to negotiate to get you a fair settlement check.
Myth #5: Personal injury lawsuits can financially ruin the at-fault parties.
Even when they’ve been seriously hurt in accidents, many people are reluctant to file personal injury claims against the at-fault parties because they don’t want to cause undue financial burdens, especially if it really was an honest accident or their injuries were caused by someone they know. They may worry that their settlements will be paid directly from the liable parties’ bank accounts, potentially wiping out their savings, kids’ college funds, or even their weekly paychecks.
Thankfully, this is rarely the case. Most personal injury lawsuit settlements are paid by insurance companies—not people or businesses. That means that you don’t have to worry about wiping out the bank account of the person who hit you on the road or causing the closure of the small business where you slipped and fell.
Got More Questions? Need More Info? We’re Here to Chat.
Making the first step towards filing a personal injury lawsuit can be an intimidating process—even after getting clarification on many of the myths surrounding this type of lawsuit. Our legal team doesn’t just fight to get our clients maximum compensation, we also work hard to make them comfortable and at ease from day one.
If you were hurt through no fault of your own and want to explore a compensation claim, we’re here for you. Contact us for a free consultation and tell us what happened. We’re ready to put our experience to work for your family.