Personal injury lawsuits can be the only option for recovering financial damages that you suffered as a result of another person's actions. While these lawsuits can be fairly common in the legal system, many individuals have never had to pursue this type of action, which can make them poorly informed when the need arises to file these claims. In order to make sure that you are making wise choices regarding your case, you should know about the following few myths and the reality behind them.
Myth: Whiplash Only Occurs From Car Accidents
Whiplash can be a serious neck and spine injury that commonly occurs following car accidents. However, some individuals assume that these injuries only occur from car crashes, and this is not the case. This type of injury occurs when the head is forcibly and suddenly jerked forward and back. When this occurs, the muscle tissue and ligaments can become strained and the vertebrae may come out of alignment.
Myth: Pain And Suffering Is The Same As Punitive Damages
New personal injury clients can be somewhat confused by the various types of damages that they may claim. In particular, it can be common for individuals to assume that punitive and pain and suffering compensation are the same. Yet, this is not the case as pain and suffering is designed to compensation you for the emotional and physical pain that you suffered from the accident. Punitive damages are designed to punish the party that was responsible. Your attorney will be able to help you understand whether or not your case qualifies for these forms of compensation, which can help you to better understand what you should expect from your case.
Myth: The Courts Must Appoint You An Attorney For Civil Cases
It is a common misconception that the courts must always appoint an attorney when a person is unable to afford one. While this is the case for criminal proceedings, it does not apply to civil matters. Fortunately, this does not have to be an obstacle for personal injury victims as most civil attorneys do not charge clients for representing them in these cases unless they can obtain compensation from the defense.
Facing the need to file a personal injury lawsuit can be a stressful experience for anyone to go through. However, it may be possible to reduce some of this stress by eliminating the confusion regarding common myths. Knowing that whiplash is not limited to auto accidents, the differences between punitive compensation and pain and suffering as well as the fact that you may not have to pay out of pocket for representation will make you better prepared to address this situation.
Click here for more information and to get in touch with a personal injury lawyer.
Share