Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

In Springfield personal injury lawyers' last post, we addressed personal injury myths that could keep an injured victim from seeking the compensation they deserve. In this post, Springfield personal injury lawyers will discuss myths pertaining to hiring a lawyer and the process of personal injury claims.

1. If You Hire a Lawyer, You are Guaranteed to Receive a Big Settlement

It is not a given that everyone who files a personal injury claim will win their case, with or without a lawyer. Having a lawyer represent you can result finding out your rights and navigating you through the complexities of the law and courts. But, there are never any guarantees. If the case does go to trial, juries are notoriously unpredictable.

2. To Win Just Compensation You Must Have a Jury Trial

Most personal injury cases are settled out of court, via negotiation or arbitration. Only about 5% wind up in front of a jury. This is both cost effective and time effective, allowing cases to be settled quicker and you to get the money you need quicker as well. However, if you can't resolve the claim, taking your case to court is always an option. Every case is different and unique.

3. Personal Injury Cases Take Years to Settle; It's Better to Simply Accept Whatever the Insurance Company Offers

The time frame to make a demand and begin negotiation is often a function of the nature of your injuries and recovery. For example, most doctors will not give an opinion on the long term impact of your injuries until you have reached maximum medical improvement. At that point, you are typically released from care.

Continue reading "Considering Pursuing a Personal Injury Case in Springfield Missouri? Personal Injury Myths Debunked--Part Two" »

As Springfield MO personal injury lawyers for over twenty years, we hear the same myths and misconceptions about personal injury lawsuits over and over. Some of these misconceptions actually discourage an injured victim from pursuing fair compensation.

So, here are some of the top personal injury myths, de-bunked...

1. Personal Injury Lawyers File Frivolous Lawsuits, Wasting the Court's Time and the Taxpayer's Money

Any good personal injury lawyer will take a close look at the facts in your case before agreeing to represent you. In Missouri, as in the rest of the country, lawyers can actually be sanctioned by the court if they file a "frivolous" lawsuit, meaning one without legal merit. These sanctions can include financial penalties, and will certainly harm that lawyer's reputation.

For this reason, most Missouri personal injury attorneys will offer a free initial consultation, where they can determine if the case does have merit before agreeing to take it on. In this way, they do not waste the victim's time, the court's time and of course, their own time. At the Aaron Sachs firm, our lawyers may not always tell you what you want to hear--but they will always give you the straight answers you need to know.

2. Plaintiffs Seek Punitive Damages to Get Rich

The purpose of punitive damages is actually to discourage the negligent parties or businesses from repeating their actions. Because punitive damages hurt businesses that hurt consumers, they are hoped to be an incentive for these companies to pursue safer practices in the future.

Continue reading "Considering Pursuing a Personal Injury Case in Springfield Missouri? Myths about Personal Injury Lawsuits Debunked" »