If you've been hurt as a result of someone else's carelessness or negligence, you can find yourself faced with a pile of medical bills, lack of income due to time off work, and even a lower quality of life. Injuries can come unexpectedly, whether it is sustained in a car accident or after a slip and fall. It can turn your life upside down in an instance. Although, many believe it is easy to demand and receive compensation for damages when such an incident occurs, it's not always as easy as it may seem.
In fact, there are many myths surrounding personal injury claims. Just remember, don't believe everything you read or hear. It is in your best interest to retain the services of a CT personal injury attorney if you've been injured in an accident in Connecticut. An attorney, such as Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law can guide you through the process and give you real answers regarding your claim.
In the following article, we will detail 5 of the most common myths regarding personal injury claims in the state of Connecticut.
Myth #1: Hiring An Attorney is Too Expensive
Sometimes, people do not trust attorneys and believe they simply cannot afford to hire an attorney, no matter how badly they have been injured. However, it is in your best interest to let go of these fears and retain an attorney when you pursue financial compensation for your injuries. Why? Because, you can afford legal help and you do not have to pay any legal fees in advance.
Most CT personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will only pay an attorney's fees if they are successful in reaching a resolution in your case, either in court or through a settlement. If they lose, you will not pay the lawyer at all. Simple, right?
A common practice is for the attorney to collect a percent of the compensation you received. Nothing will come out of your own pocket.
Myth #2: Personal Injury Cases Must Be Decided in Court
Some victims want to avoid court at all costs, so many will not file a personal injury claim because of this. There is a misconception that every personal injury case goes to trial. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Many injury claims are settled long before anyone has to go to court. Even some criminal matters are not heard in court.
The fact is, you will most likely receive fair compensation in your Connecticut personal injury case without having to go to trial. Most insurers will elect to pay to avoid costly court and lawyer fees, especially if there is solid evidence to prove your case.
Myth #3: You Can Sue An At-Fault Party At Any Time
Most believe they can file a personal injury lawsuit against someone at any time. They may even hold off filing an injury claim until they are having financial difficulties. You do not, however, have an infinite amount of time to submit a CT personal injury claim. This is due to the fact that personal injury claims have a statute of limitations that apply.
The statutory deadline applies to all personal injury claims. In Connecticut, you only have two years to file a lawsuit after you've been injured. You risk losing your right to file a lawsuit if you don't contact the court within that time frame. The court may, however, extend your time limit in specific circumstances.
Myth #4: Everything is Paid By The At-Fault Party
Connecticut is a "fault" state, which means that whomever caused the accident that resulted in the injury will be held liable for any resulting financial losses. Connecticut does, however, also use the comparative negligence rule.
Your compensation for a personal injury claim may be reduced by this rule. If you contributed to your injuries to some degree, the amount of compensation you receive will be reduced by the proportionate amount. This is how it works: if you were found to be 10% at-fault in an accident, you would only be entitled to 90% of the damages awarded.
In this scenario, not all damages are covered by the party at fault.
Myth #5: Small Personal Injury Claims Can Be Submitted Without a Lawyer
A common misconception is that minor damage claims don't require legal representation. First, insurance firms are constantly looking for ways to limit their exposure and will attempt to pay you less if they have an advantage. This means, without an attorney, an insurance company may try to lowball you.
Also, your injuries could initially seem small before becoming serious. An experienced lawyer can advise you to take your time before accepting a settlement. This is due to the possibility that you might not be able to sue the responsible party for more money if you accept a settlement early and your injury worsens.
Contact Our CT Personal Injury Attorneys To Discuss Your Case
When you retain a top personal injury attorney, such as the team at Brandon J. Broderick, it can significantly impact how your case turns out. Our team has years of experience and a proven track record of success. With our firm, you will not pay any legal fees until your claim is successful. As mentioned in the above article, we work on contingency. If we cannot win your case, you owe us nothing.
Several of our clients tell us that after making the initial call, they feel relieved. For a free consultation, get in touch with us today.