The Truth About Personal Injury Lawsuits
Nobody plans on being injured in an accident. Whether it’s a car accident, slip and fall, motorcycle crash, etc., it will almost always cause unforeseen stress and even financial burden. Many people are hesitant to reach out to a personal injury attorney for many reasons. Maybe you’ve heard stories about people who had to endure long drawn out cases that didn’t result in much, or maybe you just don’t think you have a legitimate case. While these are valid concerns, it is always a good idea to educate yourself on the reality of filing a personal injury case. In this blog post, we will address some common myths and stigmas associated with personal injury lawsuits and hopefully set the record straight.
TYPE OF INJURIES
Most people think they have to have a devastating accident resulting in major injuries in order to file a claim. However, this is NOT the case. Even minor injuries can result in costly medical bills. It can be especially important to consult a lawyer when you have sustained minor accidents because this is when insurance companies will try and offer you the lowest amount possible. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to work with your insurance to get you the compensation that you deserve. Additionally, if you were in a car accident with minor injuries, the damages done to your car can still be a concern. The repairs or replacements after an accident can be extremely expensive to pay out-of-pocket. It can be beneficial to work with a personal injury lawyer to lessen those costs. There are many factors after an accident that can factor into your case, that’s why it is always a good idea to consult with a qualified personal injury lawyer.
TIME
Especially when you are in the situation explained above where only minor injuries are sustained, it’s not uncommon to think that the time required to file a lawsuit isn’t worth it. Many people think that filing a claim means going through a long-drawn-out process that involves going to court. In reality, most cases never make it to the courtroom. Usually, a settlement can be reached outside of the courtroom. Every case is different, so the time required varies from case-to-case, but most accident cases can be settled early. Hiring an attorney that is well-versed in personal injury law can end up saving you a lot of time.
GUILT
Many accident victims can be hesitant to file a claim because they don’t want the person that caused the accident to have to pay out of their pocket. Nobody wants to ruin someone’s life over an accident. Everyone makes mistakes and this mentality can stop people from seeking compensation for damages incurred. In reality, the person who caused the accident won’t be paying out-of-pocket. Even though you are suing them, it is their insurance company that pays. Once you receive the settlement from the insurance company, it’s important that an attorney explains to you the full scope of their offer. Often times, having a personal injury attorney to negotiate with insurance companies can increase final settlement rates significantly.
DO I HAVE A LEGITIMATE CASE?
If you are injured or incur financial losses in an accident, or due to an incident caused by another person, it’s always a good idea to consult a lawyer. Even if you’re not sure if you have a case, it never hurts to ask. Most lawyers offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose by having a lawyer review your case.
Additionally, a lot of people think that the courts are probably filled with personal injury cases and don’t think their case will be important. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Firstly, according to the National Center for State Courts, personal injury cases have declined by 25% since 1999. More importantly, a good personal injury lawyer will treat all cases that they accept with equal level of importance.
It’s also important not to compare your case to an experience that someone else has had in a similar situation. Just because you know of someone that filed a lawsuit and lost, doesn’t mean that you will too. Every case is different and there are many factors at play. It’s never a good idea to assume the outcome of your case without consulting legal aid. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to sort the facts of your individual case and set you up for success.
WHITESIDE & GOLDBERG, LTD.
As you can see, there are many reasons why people choose not to file a personal injury claim. Whether it’s time, guilt, money, or one of many other reasons, we encourage you to seek out the reality behind the situation. It’s important to be aware that a lot of movies, TV shows, and media outlets help progress these stigmas that aren’t always 100% true. If you ever find yourself wondering if you should file a claim, the best course of action is to consult a lawyer.
If you are in the Chicago area, Whiteside & Goldberg Law Group offers free consultations for anyone who would like to discuss their case. No matter the severity, it is always important to contact an experienced lawyer to help you recover any losses or damages. The attorneys at Whiteside & Goldberg Law Group never charge a fee until they win a settlement for you. You can contact them today at by calling 312-334-6875 for the Whiteside & Goldberg Law Group Michigan Avenue location and 815-730-7535 for their Shorewood office.
The content of this blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute or establish an attorney-client relationship, nor constitute legal advice. If you wish to discuss any further aspect of the material contained herein, please contact an attorney at Whiteside & Goldberg, Ltd.


