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People get into car accidents and other incidents every day. Thankfully, most of the time, they have insurance and can get compensation for their injuries and property damages. However, most people don’t realize that hiring a lawyer and filing personal injury lawsuits can significantly increase their chances of getting the compensation they deserve. There are a lot of myths out there about personal injury lawsuits in New Jersey. Here’s the truth you need to know.
Myth: Personal Injury Lawsuits are Selfish
No matter how big or how small the injury is, filing a personal injury lawsuit can feel like a frivolous or selfish thing to do. This is especially true if the injury sustained isn’t all that severe. However, filing a lawsuit for personal injury is no different than any other lawsuit. When you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence, it is their responsibility to compensate you for that injury. You shouldn’t have to suffer or pay for someone else’s negligence. If you are robbed or assaulted, you would expect restitution for those crimes. The same is true for a car accident. If you are injured because of a negligent driver, they should provide compensation for the injuries.
Some people hesitate to file a personal injury lawsuit. They fear the responsible party will have to pay out of pocket. But this isn’t true unless that person doesn’t have insurance. Insurance policies include coverage for accidents in which the driver is at fault and have procedures in place to compensate the injured party. A driver with insurance won’t have to pay out of pocket to cover your bills, so neither should you. The worst that will happen is their insurance premium will increase.
If someone else’s negligence causes you to be injured in an accident, seek justice and file a lawsuit. You won’t be making the other driver pay directly. And you’ll receive the fair compensation you deserve for your injuries, loss of wages, and other personal grievances. More than that, property damage is usually only covered by the driver who was at fault. That means getting your car repaired or replaced after a wreck could cost you if you don’t file a lawsuit. It’s not selfish; it’s just you taking care of yourself and your loved ones.
Myth: Your Insurance Will Take Care of Everything
New Jersey is a no-fault state. This means insurance companies will cover personal injuries no matter who was at fault for the accident. As such, it’s easy to assume that your insurance company will compensate you for the accident, and you don’t have to deal with anything legal after an accident. If your accident was minor and had very little damage, this is usually true and easy to navigate. However, no-fault insurance policies don’t cover everything. With more expensive cases, you may need a lawyer’s help just getting money from your own insurance, let alone the other driver’s.
In cases where the other party is clearly at fault, it’s always worth it to file a lawsuit. This way, you get compensation from their insurance company rather than your own. You are likely to get more money out of the lawsuit. You also save your own insurance company money. This lowers the chance of having your monthly premium rise as a result of the claim.
No-fault policies also typically only cover personal injuries. They’ll pay for medical bills and loss of wages due to your injuries, but they don’t cover property damages. Property damage coverage is purely based on who was at fault in the accident. Your insurance may pay for your injuries. However, if your car is damaged, you may be paying out of pocket for repairs. Filing a personal injury lawsuit can help you get the compensation you deserve for all aspects of the accident.
Photo by Mediensturmer on Unsplash
Myth: Using a Lawyer Will Leave You Worse Off
Hiring a lawyer can take a lot of time and may seem like a costly decision. However, lawyers are skilled professionals trained in the law and they can only improve your success in a lawsuit. Lawyers know how to deal with insurance companies and know all the tricks to help get you the fairest compensation for your accident. Working with a lawyer is the only way to guarantee you’ll get the most from your insurance claim or lawsuit.
Sometimes a lawyer is needed, even if you’re just filing a claim with your insurance company. Most policies will try to avoid having to pay out. However, lawyers know how to work with insurance adjusters to get you the money you deserve. If you want to make sure you get the most out of your claim or lawsuit, you’ll want a lawyer fighting on your side.
90% of the time, when someone hires a lawyer, they receive compensation. However, only 50% of those who don’t hire a lawyer do. Working with a lawyer also greatly increases the amount of compensation you can receive. People who hire a lawyer for their personal injury lawsuits receive, on average, $60,000 more than people who go it alone. So even with contingencies taken into consideration, hiring a lawyer will almost always get you more money for your injuries and property damages.
A New Jersey Attorney Can Help with Personal Injury Lawsuits
If you or a loved one were in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver, you deserve full compensation for your injuries and property damage. Having an experienced lawyer on your team can help you navigate insurance claims and lawsuits. Call Attorney Leon Matchin at 732-887-2479 or email him at [email protected]. You can discuss your case and see how filing a personal injury lawsuit could benefit your claim. Don’t pay for another driver’s negligence.
