If you’ve been involved in a personal injury accident, it’s crucial to understand the facts of your case, as well as your legal rights to pursue compensation. There are a slew of misconceptions and myths about personal injury cases that may lead to misunderstandings and mistakes in your case, especially if you decide to pursue legal action on your own. Understandably, you may have many questions regarding your next steps after an accident.
At Goza & Honnold Trial Lawyers, our experienced personal injury lawyers have helped many clients across Kansas and Missouri recover the compensation they deserve after an accident. Here’s what you need to know in order to sidestep any myths about the personal injury process.
What to Know About Personal Injury Claims in Kansas
Personal injury claims may differ depending on the types of accidents, traumatic events, and negligent circumstances surrounding your case. While people endure different injuries and accidents, the personal injury claims process generally follows the same procedures. If you’ve sustained injuries, pain and suffering, and economic losses due to someone else’s negligence, a skilled attorney can review the circumstances and explain the next steps.
While you may be learning about your options as an injured individual, getting the facts about personal injury claims and the process involved is essential. Our experienced Kansas City personal injury lawyers are eager to help our clients understand their rights and successfully navigate the legal process.
6 Popular Myths Related to Personal Injury Lawsuits
When seeking help after being involved in an accident, it’s important to know the facts about personal injury claims. You may be wondering about insurance companies, lawyers, lawsuits, and how a case is handled. Below are six of the most popular myths related to personal injury lawsuits and the facts that debunk them.
1. Minor Injuries Do Not Qualify for a Personal Injury Claim
You may be relieved to have only sustained minor injuries after a car accident, slip and fall, or other mild accident. However, while this is evidently better news, it does not eliminate you from needing doctor’s visits, evaluations, therapy, and other treatment that can ensure your minor injuries will not evolve into severe injuries as time passes. Seeking medical attention for any injuries after an accident and having an attorney review your case can help you decide whether a legal claim is warranted.
2. If You Have Insurance, You Don’t Need to Pursue an Injury Claim
Insurance companies can play a large role in the payouts, compensation, and coverage of expenses within a personal injury case. However, when your damages reach far beyond the coverage limit, a lawsuit is warranted to help recover compensation from the negligent party. With an injury lawyer, you can ensure your case is valued correctly and your rights are protected when dealing with insurance companies after an accident.
3. Personal Injury Claims Can Be Filed Anytime
Personal injury claims cannot be filed at any time after an accident, as there is a statute of limitations in place for Kansas personal injury claims. For a personal injury claim in Kansas, the statute of limitations is typically two years (Kansas statute 60-513 ). That said, calculating the statute of limitations for an individual case can involve a complex legal and fact analysis that is best left to an experienced attorney. Failure to timely file can prevent you from ever pursuing your claim.
4. Compensation Is Guaranteed for Losses in Any Accident
Another misconception of injury claims is that compensation is guaranteed for the losses in an accident. While a skilled legal team will fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve, there is no guarantee that all the losses and injuries will be compensated. In addition, attempting to handle a case independently may cause you to settle for an amount far less than what your case is worth. Hiring an attorney is the best way to handle a personal injury case, as they have experience obtaining the maximum amount of compensation.
5. Insurance Rates Can Rise Due to a Lawsuit
If you are concerned about your insurance rate rising after filing a claim, you can feel at ease when you are not the party at fault. When you are deemed not to have any fault in an accident, there is no reason for your insurance rate to rise.
6. Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer for a Case Is Not Worth It
There are many benefits to hiring a personal injury lawyer for your case. An attorney knows how much your claim is worth, understands the legal process, is motivated and willing to support you, and can even take your case to trial if deemed necessary. At Goza & Honnold, our firm is dedicated to helping our clients with integrity and professionalism.
Call Goza & Honnold for a Dedicated Personal Injury Attorney to Support Your Case
An injury-causing accident can lead to many stressors and life challenges, especially in traumatic and severe cases. Our previous clients at Goza & Honnold have seen the dedication and commitment our legal team provides. Don’t let yourself be bogged down by misconceptions. To get the skilled legal counsel and support you need in an injury case, contact our office for a free consultation by calling (913) 451-3433 or by filling out a contact form.