Personal injuries and accidents can be destructive and devastating. The reality is that mishaps and mistakes are fairly common but that does not detract from the pain, suffering and confusion that can result when an accident or injury happens to you or a loved one. It is an unfortunate truth that many of us will experience, or know someone who experiences, a catastrophic accident in our lifetime. Already tragic events are made even more difficult and painful when they are the result of the negligence or wrongful acts of others. These accidents are personal injury cases. If you decide to take steps toward protecting your legal rights after an accident or injury, you may have preexisting ideas or some confusion around personal injury law. We’re here to provide some clarity for you.

Firstly, what is a “personal injury” case? “Personal injury” cases are legal disputes that ensue when one person suffers damage or harm from an accident or injury, and someone else might be legally responsible for that harm. A personal injury case can become formalized through civil court proceedings that determine whether others are legally at fault. This process occurs through a court judgment or the disputes may be resolved through informal settlement before any lawsuit is filed (which is much more common).

If you have any questions or need a personal injury lawyer, we can help. Schulze Law is a crew of tenacious associates guided by expert lead attorney Marc Schulze. We assist and counsel personal injury clients throughout Massachusetts and beyond, speaking both English and Spanish. Over the past nearly two decades in operation, our firm has worked with many clients while gaining their trust and earning them the compensation and verdicts they deserve.

We are not a typical law practice, and we are proud of it. We are a boutique, concierge-geared firm, meaning we offer personalized, detailed care and attention to all of our clients. The attorneys and staff are zealous advocates for our clients—for you. You can rest assured that we have all the resources needed to handle every single case we represent, no matter how complex or demanding.

As personal injury lawyers, we want to help uncover and reveal myths and fallacies that may exist surrounding personal injury lawyers and the personal injury process. These myths can be detrimental to personal injury victims if they enable an individual to postpone talking to a lawyer or to completely abstain from seeking legal representation entirely.

Let’s expose some myths we have run into over the years. We’re the myth destroyers and debunkers!

Myth: A Personal Injury Lawyer Is Too Expensive

Fact: Many people associate lawyers with a big price tag. This can lead people to believe they cannot afford a lawyer even if they need one. The good news is, Schulze Law works on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not pay anything up front-your attorney will be paid as a percentage of your final settlement and you can rest assured that we will fight hard to obtain the maximum amount. You will not owe any legal fee for our services unless we are able to obtain compensation for you. Keep in mind that hiring an attorney is an investment in your health and financial recovery.

Myth: Personal Injury Cases Are Long, Lengthy, Never-ending Cases

Fact: Every single personal injury case is unique. Some people believe personal injury cases take forever to complete and that they involve a ton of time and lots of money. Even people who’ve been involved in accidents and have suffered horrible injuries sometimes put off seeking out a personal injury attorney because they are under the impression that personal injury cases are always long, complicated, impossible cases. Cases may vary depending on the complexity but defendants often want to settle before even going to trial. So in some situations, it can take years for settlements to be reached, but often resolutions can be made relatively quickly within weeks or months. At Schulze Law we do everything in our power to expedite the process while reaching the most positive outcome.

For more on this topic, check out our blog: How Long Will My Personal Injury Claim Take to Settle?

Myth: I Don’t Need Medical Attention If My Injuries Are Not Severe or I Think I’m Ok.

Fact: We can’t stress enough the importance of seeking medical help right away when you’re involved in an accident. Even if you’re not sure how serious your injuries are upon initial impact, you can’t determine the level of pain you will experience in the hours, days or weeks to follow. Having official records and receiving medical care with all your injuries is crucial for both getting better and for ensuring a strong claim with the potential for a higher settlement offer.

Here’s our blog on Why Is It Important To Get Medical Treatment After a Personal Injury? You need to get proper medical care immediately and be sure to avoid “gaps” in your treatment plan.

Myth: A Personal Injury Claim Can Be Filed At Any Time

Fact: Nope, not true. There’s a rule called the statute of limitations that prevents you from being able to file a claim any time you wish after an accident or injury. Statutes of limitations are laws passed by legislative bodies in common law systems to set the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated. In Massachusetts, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the date the accident occurred.

Myth: Any Attorney Is Equipped To Handle Your Personal Injury Case

Fact: Law is complex and it is impossible for every attorney to have the experience and expertise in navigating all practice areas. The skilled personal injury attorneys and staff of Schulze Law are equipped to handle the individuality of each and every personal injury case we represent. Over the past nearly two decades in operation, our firm has assisted and counseled personal injury and criminal clients throughout Massachusetts and beyond. Each member of our team has years of experience in the field and significant skill dealing with defense firms and insurance companies. And, we are not afraid of going to trial. When trial is necessary, we are strong representation for our clients, seeking justice aggressively at every turn.

Myth: If I’m Partially To Blame For An Accident, I Can’t Win A Lawsuit

Even if you believe you are partially responsible for causing your accident or injuries, you may still be able to recover compensation. In fact, under Massachusetts Law, you must be able to show that the other driver was more than 50 percent at fault. Once fault has been established, the following specific requirements must be met in order to file a claim for pain and suffering: There must be reasonable and necessary medical bills in excess of $2,000 or the injury must have resulted in a permanent scar, fracture, disfigurement, or death.

Myth: Personal Injury Cases Are Easy Money And I’m Guaranteed A Settlement

Fact: Although many personal injury cases result in some type of settlement, personal injury plaintiffs are not necessarily promised compensation. Even if you do receive a settlement, contrary to popular belief, personal injury cases don’t result in “easy money.” Take into consideration the facts that many personal injury plaintiffs have suffered serious or even life-threatening injuries combined with the inability to work. Under no circumstances, are these situations “easy.” There are no guarantees when it comes to personal injury lawsuits. Therefore, it is incredibly important to hire a personal injury lawyer at Schulze Law with the knowledge and expertise to take on your case.

Myth: The At-Fault Party Will Go Bankrupt

Fact: People may be nervous or avoid filing a personal injury claim because they believe that the party at fault for the incident will have to pay the settlement out of their own pockets and this may cause them to go bankrupt and lose everything. They don’t want to be responsible for making the other party’s life miserable or cause complete financial devastation. In most cases, an individual’s insurance company will be the one who pays any settlement or judgment. Only where the individual responsible for your accidents is uninsured or not covered for the type of accident that caused your injuries could the individual be personally responsible for your injuries. Don’t let your concern for other’s sacrifice your care for yourself.

Myth: People With Insurance Don’t Need A Lawyer

Fact: Even if you have insurance, you need a lawyer. If you are unsure whether or not you need representation, please give us a call for a free consultation to discuss your case. Remember, insurance companies are out to make a profit, and they oftentimes offer you much less than your coverage actually covers in a first settlement offer. Attorneys who have experience with dealing with insurance companies are usually better equipped to secure you the best settlement, even from your own insurance company. Schulze Law can help guide you through the process, protect your interests, tackle the complexity, and recover money to compensate you for your losses.

Myth: Personal Injury Lawyers Are Unethical

Fact: The stereotypes of personal injury lawyers are often untrue. In reality, many personal injury lawyers are passionate and responsible advocates for their clients. Without personal injury lawyers, many people would not have access to the civil justice system. Personal injury lawyers often take cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that they earn nothing if their client doesn’t win. At Schulze Law, we pride ourselves on our ability to connect with our clients and our excellent client communication. We return all phone calls promptly, and we always put our clients first. The attorneys and staff are zealous advocates for our clients—for you.

The skilled personal injury attorneys and staff of Schulze Law are ready and equipped to handle the individuality of each and every personal injury case we represent. We truly understand that an injury is damaging for the person injured and also their loved ones. We pride ourselves on providing compassion, clear counseling and assistance. Contact us today with any questions or if we can provide any clarity around confusing personal injury issues. We are there for victims and their families when they need support the most. No one should have to go through this alone. With Schulze Law on your side, you won’t have to. We’re here 24/7.

CALL NOW: 857-300-5300
Emergency After Hours Number: 800-894-9267 XLAW1 (5291)