Misconceptions about personal injury settlements in Augusta prevent injured victims from recovering monetary compensation. To dispel these misconceptions, you must discuss them with an Augusta personal injury lawyer. Your lawyer will walk you through the claims process and what to expect from each stage. The following are common myths about personal injury settlements:
You Can File a Claim Only for a High-Value Personal Injury Case
For personal injury claims, Georgia adopts a fault-based system. If you suffer injuries due to the negligence, wrongdoing, or errors of another party, you can seek fair compensation for your damages. A lot of factors can affect your claim’s value. Before you accept a settlement offer, consult an attorney first to ensure it’s fair.
The Filing Deadline Pauses when You Work with an Insurer
A lot of people think that by cooperating with an insurer, they extend they no longer have to worry about the filing deadline. However, this is far from the truth. In the majority of personal injury cases, claimants have two years from the injury date to file a claim. Exceptions to such a rule exist depending on the kind of injury case and the parties involved.
Filing a lawsuit beyond the two-year timeframe can result in you being barred from seeking monetary compensation for your injuries. If the insurer tries to delay the processing of your claim and you miss the legal deadline, then you lose your claim.
All Valid Injury Claims Get Paid
Sometimes, even if your personal injury claim is valid the insurer may still not pay it. The company could undervalue or deny your claim to save money. However, if the insurer acts in bad faith, your attorney may recommend bringing a bad faith insurance claim against the company. This claim could provide you with additional compensation.
Personal Injury Claims Always Take Years to Resolve
When it comes to personal injury claims, how much time it takes to reach a settlement depends on some factors. Your medical treatment, in particular, determines your case’s length. You must not settle a claim until your healthcare provider releases you from treatment. Otherwise, you could end up with a lower settlement amount than what you deserve. Also, filing a lawsuit can lengthen the duration of your claim settlement. Depending on your claim’s complexities, it may take just a few years or several years to resolve it. To increase your chances of reaching a fair settlement, let an attorney handle your case.
