It’s your American right to take legal action if you’ve been injured
After you’ve been involved in a traumatic car wreck, a detrimental slip and fall situation, or disastrous medical malpractice, the idea of hiring a lawyer to pursue a personal injury claim might seem like one more hassle to undergo. Many people who have been injured through no fault of their own are hesitant about seeking legal action against those responsible for their pain simply because of the stigma (read: bad rap) surrounding personal injury claims and attorneys. However, a successful personal injury claim is the only way to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive compensation for lost time and wages in the aftermath of your accident. Before you buy into the bad reputation, find out the real deal about personal injury law.
Here are five common myths about Personal Injury Cases – Debunked:
Myth #1: Personal Injury Lawyer = Ambulance Chaser
Movies often portray personal injury attorneys as shameless, money-hungry ambulance chasers looking for the type of person who might be willing to wear a neck brace when a neck brace isn’t really necessary. Radio ads, billboards, and commercials with catchy slogans don’t exactly help matters, either. Still, it’s important to note that there’s simply NO WAY that our justice system would allow itself to be undermined by greedy suit-and-ties looking to make a buck. In fact, there are regulations nationwide that make it illegal for personal injury attorneys to chase ambulances (or prospective clients, in general). That’s why you as the injured party must contact/call/email them to obtain their legal services.
“At the end of the day, most personal injury attorneys are truly more interested in getting their client the justice he/she is legally entitled to,” says Ed Rowan, a longtime personal injury attorney and partner at Mobile-based Taylor Martino Rowan “I truly believe most of us got into this line of work to help others.”
Myth #2: A personal injury case will just take entirely too long to be worth pursuing
Many personal injury claims end up settling out of court. Often times, a settlement can occur through negotiations with the insurance provider’s representation or through a mediation process. When the involved parties opt to settle outside of court, a resolution happens much faster. While settlements can stretch on for years, many times they take just weeks or days. Rowan stresses that the attorneys at Taylor Martino strive to achieve an agreeable settlement on behalf of every client, every time. “But should we have to take it to court,” he says, “we are more than capable of handling things that way, too.” Collectively, the team at Taylor Martino has multiple decades of experience bringing about justice for those who have been injured by no fault of their own.
Myth #3: I don’t think my injuries are bad enough to seek legal action
Even if your life isn’t cataclysmically altered for the worst as the result of a personal injury, your right to legal action still stands. Many victims of personal injury feel their injuries are too minor to warrant a lawsuit—but these are often precisely the kinds of situations that require additional legal attention as many insurance companies may try to dismiss minor injuries as unworthy of a financial settlement. Worse, many insurance companies may attempt to settle for amounts that do not even BEGIN to cover basic medical expenses. This is where a personal injury attorney is absolutely necessary to step in and fight for the true worth of your health and wellness.
“What insurance companies may not take into account is that these minor injuries can result in larger issues later on. You can find yourself unable to work with chronic pain, which can ultimately mean your livelihood is at risk. When you’re hurt by no fault of your own, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries and their aftermath,” says Rowan.
Myth #4: I don’t want the individual at fault to end up broke because of me
According to Rowan, one of the most common hesitations people have in pursuing a case is a sense of guilt. He explains, “It’s important to remember that when you file a personal injury lawsuit, you’re not actually going after an individual—rather, it’s the insurance company you’re seeking compensation from. And insurance companies have millions of dollars of coverage.”
The team at Taylor Martino seeks to put each client’s mind at ease, all the while eliminating any shame or guilt. “I ask my clients, ‘Are you hurt? Were you at fault? Ok, so why is it not fair that you be compensated for that? It’s not a handout; it’s what is owed to you,” Rowan notes.
Myth #5: If I have insurance, I won’t need a personal injury attorney
In a perfect world, this myth would make better sense. Unfortunately, the reality is that an insurance company is like any other business—they’re trying to make the almighty dollar. In fact, it’s common practice for insurance companies to come up with a settlement offer that’s actually less than the full amount of your coverage. This means, if left unchecked, the insurance carrier is going to give you a sum that won’t even touch your medical bills and other costs associated with your injury. And it can be futile to argue with an insurance company without an attorney because, as a big business, they simply have more resources than you do as an individual.
This is where it literally pays to have skilled legal representation. Contacting a personal injury attorney in Alabama is essentially calling in reinforcements to ensure you receive the compensation you’re owed. “When you pay for insurance, you’ve signed a contract with your insurance company,” stresses Rowan. “The insurance company is taking money for a premium from you—it’s being paid for already, which means those services should be served. That’s where I come in—to make sure that happens.”
The attorneys at Taylor Martino seek to empower you to get your life back on track in the wake of a disaster. If you’ve been injured in an accident at the hands of someone else, it’s your right to take legal action. Contact Taylor Martino P.C. Personal Injury Lawyers in Mobile, AL for a completely free case evaluation. To learn more, visit taylormartino.com or call 1-800-256-7728 today.