Generally, most of us do not spend much time understanding the law or dealing with attorneys until we find ourselves in a situation that calls for it. If you are considering pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, chances are you might be asking friends or family for advice, or researching the internet for any information that might be helpful. Oftentimes, contacting a lawyer seems a little intimidating for many, or you might have certain preconceptions about the legal system from what you have seen on television shows or
in movies. The fact is that there is a big difference between reality and the myths many individuals have been exposed to.
Below are some of the most common myths about personal injury cases, which
we will dispel to give you a better idea of what you can expect:
- It costs a lot to speak with a personal injury attorney: If you are not sure about whether or not you should work with a personal injury attorney, you should at least take the time to first speak with one about your case before committing to the decision to go through this alone. At Scarzafava, Basdekis & Dadey, PLLC, all initial consultations are free, which means you can find out more about how we can help you without paying a dime.
- The responsible party will have to pay for my injuries with his or her own money: Lots of injured victims are genuinely concerned about burdening the at-fault party with having to pay out a settlement award. However, the truth is that in nearly every personal injury case, the insurance company ends up paying for your claim since, in many cases, it would be practically impossible for that individual to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Keep that in mind before you start feeling bad for the at-fault party. Even if your claim is against a company, the insurance company covering them will likely be responsible for your claim.
- There is no point to talking to a lawyer if your injuries are minor: Even in cases where accident survivors only sustained minor injuries, the medical costs associated with them can still add up. Why would you want to be responsible for them when someone else’s negligence is to blame? Additionally, people often downplay their injuries only to later discover that the supposedly minor injury they thought they had is much more severe and will require more trips to the doctor and extensive treatments to resolve. You should not have to be responsible for these costs, which will likely add up and might even require you to take time off from work.
- I have plenty of time to file a lawsuit if I choose to do it later: In New York, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases gives injured victims three years from the date of the injury to file
a lawsuit against those who are responsible for their injuries. If you miss this deadline, you will no longer be able to pursue your claim, which means you will lose any chance you might have had at obtaining much-needed compensation. Do not let this precious time pass; speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Oneonta
If you were recently injured due to someone else’s negligent or careless actions, you might be able to obtain compensation for medical costs, lost wages, property repairs, and more. At Scarzafava, Basdekis & Dadey, PLLC, our Oneonta personal injury attorneys are here to offer you the compassionate and
skilled representation you need during this difficult time. Contact us today.
Call us at (607) 228-8404 to schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable member of our legal team.