In the world of Personal Injury Law, there are thousands of different ways people can find reputable law firms and attorneys for their legal needs.
At times, you hear many stories about the legal world, some fact, some fiction. It can get confusing. So, how do you decipher everything you hear and separate fact from fiction?
We’ve come up with 12 of the most common myths that Personal Injury Lawyers deal with on a daily basis. These are the facts. Know what you’re getting yourself into when looking for the right law firm to represent you.
Myth #1: All personal injury lawyers have the same form of training and experience. MYTH.
The truer statement is that most attorneys who try to handle personal injury cases do not know what they are doing. How can you tell the difference?
Look for a personal injury attorney who practices exclusively in personal injury law, not one who dabbles in it. Look for a Certified Specialist in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death (less than 1% of attorneys in Arizona).
Myth #2: Any lawyer who has gone to law school and passed the bar exam can take a case to trial. MYTH.
The great majority of attorneys have never even been in a courtroom. You need to ask: How many cases have you tried? If the answer is “very few, because we settle most of our cases”, don’t walk, run. Personal injury trial attorneys actually TRY cases in court. They are not afraid to challenge the low offers from insurance companies, and have proven that they will FIGHT. At the end of the day, who do you think the insurance companies are most afraid of? The attorneys who are willing to fight, or the attorneys who assure their clients that they settle all of their cases?
Myth #3: All personal injury lawyers and cases end up in trial. MYTH.
The truth is, only about 3% of cases ever make it to trial. But, in is crucial that the insurance company know that you are willing to take it there.
Trial attorneys and Certified Specialists in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death have the proven track record. Look for these attorneys for your case.
Myth #4: Lawyers who practice "criminal law" and "real estate" law can also do Personal injury law without a problem! MYTH.
Okay. They think they can. But really, do you want a real estate lawyer handling your serious personal injury case? Are you comfortable with that? Why, if the specialists in personal injury law cost the same, would you use someone who dabbles in personal injury?
Myth #5: Personal Injury Lawyers you see on T.V. are always successful. How else can they afford those T.V. commercials? MYTH.
Define success. Makes a lot of money? Gets good results for their clients? Other?
Most TV lawyers do not take cases to court. They cannot afford to do it. They spend all of their money on advertising to get cases in, and do not have the budget for hiring the best trial lawyers to actually fight the cases. Do you think insurance companies don’t know this? You are wrong. They very much know this.
Myth #6: Personal Injury Lawyers who advertise on T.V., Billboards, and the Yellow pages are always the best lawyers to choose. DEPENDS.
It depends on what you want. A quick check, perhaps for a fraction of what you might really be entitled to?
Myth #7: The bar association determines whether a lawyer can advertise that he is a “personal injury specialist.” FACT.
Only attorneys who are Certified Specialists in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death can advertise that they are “specialists” in this area of the law. The State Bar of Arizona monitors this very closely.
Myth #8: The Personal Injury Lawyer who you see on T.V. or on billboards will be the one who handles your case. Hahahahahahahaha.
Next question.
Myth #9: Insurance companies will always treat you fairly after an accident. MYTH.
They will certainly try to make you think that they will do this. They will try to lull you to sleep believing this. Don’t believe it.
Myth #10: You must always appear in court in order to receive compensation for your injury. MYTH.
Only about 3% of cases ever make it to trial. The FACT is, you give yourself the best chance of settling by making the insurance company know that you are serious about going to court. How do you do this? Hire a trial lawyer who is a Certified Specialist in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death.
Myth #11: All personal injury cases take 6 months to years to settle. MYTH.
There is no exact timetable. Every case is different.
Myth #12: Personal Injury cases and compensation are easy money for anyone. MYTH.
Many people think that. The attorneys who dabble in this area of the law think that. The real personal injury specialists know much different. These cases take a great deal of time, investigation and work to get the best results for the clients. Don’t be fooled into thinking it is “easy money”. These days, it is anything but that.
We hope by including these myths and facts, that it will help you decide which route is the best one to take for you if you're involved in an accident of any sort. Please remember to always pay attention to what Law Firm you are talking to. Make sure they are representing you for all the right reasons.
