Myths About Personal Injury Lawsuits
Personal injury lawsuits make up over one half of all lawsuits filed in the United States in most years. However, the myths and misinformation disseminated about them are pervasive. Relying on misinformation can cost you time and money, and in some extreme situations, may even lead to your case being lost or dismissed. Before you file, it is imperative to do your homework.
Myth: My insurance company will handle everything; I don’t need to get an attorney involved.
Fact: Insurance companies want to make a profit, and many times, they count on their policyholders’ lack of knowledge or expertise in order to do so. While some insurers can be quite helpful, the fact is that if an insurance company can save money by denying your claim or delaying payment, there is a high likelihood they will do so. They may even fail to advise you that you are harming your case if you choose to act a certain way – for example, many people do not know that accepting any kind of insurance settlement means you no longer have a right to file a lawsuit if something goes wrong, and insurers do not advise them of this.
Myth: Since I have insurance, I don’t need to file a lawsuit since all my bills will be covered.
Fact: If you have the minimum required Florida coverage, you may still have several thousand dollars in medical bills that remain unpaid. Florida is a state which requires a minimum of $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, meaning a policy which follows the driver. If you have $10,000 in coverage and your bills are $9,800, you may think you will never have to pay a cent. In reality, PIP will may only up to 80 percent of your medical bills or 60 percent of your lost wages (as of this writing) – and these amounts can add up.
Myth: I cannot get medical treatment until my case is settled, and that may take ages. I’ll just handle it myself.
Fact: You should receive medical treatment as soon as possible, both obviously to ensure your well-being and to have a specific record of your injuries for both your insurance and in case you need to go to trial. If you worry about payment, there are methods by which Medicare or Medicaid may be able to temporarily cover costs, and then be repaid once things are settled. Either way, you deserve to take time to heal and get back to normal instead of worrying about paperwork.
Myth: Suing someone is just greedy.
Fact: If someone has abrogated their responsibilities to exercise reasonable care when interacting with others, and it has caused you harm, it is not greedy to try and hold them accountable, especially if you are put into financial difficulties by medical bills.
Call An Experienced Attorney To Help
Regardless of what misunderstandings or misgivings you may have about a personal injury suit, it may be the best way for you to obtain the compensation you need to pay your medical bills. The Tampa personal injury attorneys at the Rinaldo Law Group are experienced in these cases and will do our best to try and assist you with yours. Call us today for a free consultation.
Resources:
flhsmv.gov/ddl/frfaqgen.html
cms.gov/Medicare/Coordination-of-Benefits-and-Recovery/Coordination-of-Benefits-and-Recovery-Overview/Medicare-Secondary-Payer/Medicare-Secondary-Payer.html
