Many stigmas and misinformation have created damaging myths about the personal injury industry. This not only harms the reputation of personal injury solicitors but stops people who have been injured from making a personal injury claim.
Starting a claim isn’t always an easy decision to make and is probably the last thing you might want to think about after suffering an accident. The decision becomes even harder when faced with the many myths that surround the personal injury industry.
Watermans is committed to ensuring injured people have a fair chance of receiving compensation – so we’ve pulled together some of the most common personal injury misconceptions.
Myth #1: Settling your case quickly will provide you a larger settlement.
FACT: Choosing to settle your case too quickly can leave you with less money for medical bills. Before making any final decision, you must be sure that you are fully healed. If you are rushed into accepting quick settlement you may not have enough funds for further treatments if your injuries haven’t healed.
Myth #2: No win no fee means you do not have to pay any costs.
FACT: Not quite true. No win no fee means you do not have to pay any fees upfront. However if your case is successful then a ‘success fee’ for your solicitor will be deducted out of your total compensation.
Myth #3: Bigger law firms will get you a bigger settlement.
FACT: Smaller, local law firms make sure you only settle for what you deserve. By being able to take more time with each client, they ensure you are fully recovered and compensated for your injuries.
Myth #4: Your claim has to go to court in order to successful.
FALSE: If the liability in not in dispute and your case is straight forward, you will be awarded compensation out-of-court.
Myth#5: Personal injury claims are complicated and time consuming.
FALSE: If the guilty party admits liability then any claims can be settled in a short period of time. Serious injury claims are likely to be time consuming, because of the extent of the injuries and their impact on your life. This also applies to claims where liability or negligence is in dispute.
Myth#6: I can start a personal injury claim anytime.
FALSE: The standard cut-off date for making a personal injury claim is 3 years from the date of the accident. However, there are some exceptions to this rule:
- Mental Capacity – if the person involved is incapable of making a claim themselves, there’s no cut-off date, until they regain full ability to do so.
- Children – claims involving children under the age of sixteen have until their 19th birthday.
- MIB – if the vehicle which caused the damage/injury was uninsured or is untraced you may have a right to claim against the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB). The cut-off date for pursuing a claim against the MIB is usually 3 years from the date of the accident.
- Criminal Injuries – if your injuries were caused deliberately (i.e. the vehicle was used as a weapon), you may have a separate right to claim under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The cut-off date for creating a claim through the CICA is 2 years from the incident.
To find out more on personal injury claims and how to start one, please contact our no win no fee serious accident solicitors on 0131 555 7055 for a free evaluation of your circumstances.