5 Myths About Car Accident Lawsuits

The Orlando car accident lawyers at Colling Gilbert Wight have helped clients throughout Florida in a wide range of claims. If you have been injured in a car accident in the Sunshine State, you need to make informed decisions about protecting your legal rights. 

If you unknowingly rely on myths or misinformation, you could end up without the financial compensation you deserve. 

So, what do you need to know to protect yourself? Here are five common myths about car accident lawsuits: 

Myth #1: You Can Only Obtain “No Fault” Insurance Coverage in Florida

Reality: While Florida is a “no-fault” auto insurance state, car accident victims can still seek fault-based compensation when they suffer significant or permanent injuries. 

Under Florida’s “no-fault” auto insurance law, accident victims must first seek coverage under their personal injury protection (PIP) policies, and they can only seek PIP coverage if their injuries are relatively minor. However, when accident victims’ injuries qualify as “significant” or “permanent” under Section 627.737 of the Florida Statutes, they have the right to seek additional fault-based compensation. 

From nerve damage to severe burns, many types of car accident injuries can qualify as “significant” or “permanent” under Section 627.737. As a result, car accident victims in Florida can file lawsuits to recover full compensation for their losses in many cases. 

Myth #2: Since They Have a Duty to Act in Good Faith, the Insurance Companies Will Pay What They Owe

Reality: Unfortunately, bad faith insurance practices are extremely common, and this is especially true with regard to auto insurance claims. 

Bad faith insurance practices are commonplace in the auto insurance industry. If you try to handle your insurance claim on your own, there is a good chance that you will run into unnecessary roadblocks that the insurance companies put in place to deny accident victims the compensation they deserve. By hiring an Orlando car accident lawyer to represent you, not only can you reduce your risk of falling victim to the insurance companies’ bad faith practices, but you can also rely on your lawyer to fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. 

Myth #3: Most Car Accident Claims Settle Out of Court

Reality: Although technically true, this statistic is grossly misleading. While most car accident claims settle, many victims only receive a small fraction of the compensation they deserve. 

It is true that the substantial majority of car accident claims settle out of court. However, some settlements are vastly different from others. 

Car accident victims who do not hire lawyers to represent them frequently end up settling for just a small fraction of the compensation to which they are legally entitled. To have any chance of obtaining a fair out-of-court settlement, you will need to hire a lawyer to calculate your losses, negotiate on your behalf, and show the insurance companies that you are prepared to go to court if necessary. 

Myth #4: If You Have to Go to Court, Your Legal Fees Will Consume Your Entire Settlement or Verdict

Reality: A reputable Florida car accident lawyer will only take your case to court if the lawyer believes he or she can maximize your take-home recovery. 

There is no question that going to trial costs more than negotiating an out-of-court settlement. However, even if you need to take your case to trial, your legal fees will still be calculated as a percentage of your financial recovery, if any. As a result, you don’t have to worry that you will take home nothing from a favorable settlement or verdict, and a reputable car accident lawyer will only take your case to court if this is in your best interests. 

Myth #5: You Have No Chance of Winning a Car Accident Lawsuit Against the Insurance Companies’ Legions of Defense Lawyers 

Reality: With an experienced team of lawyers on your side, this simply isn’t true. Our firm has won numerous substantial verdicts against the insurance companies. 

Many people assume that they stand no chance of winning a car accident lawsuit at trial. However, as our track record shows, this is not the case. With an experienced legal team on your side, you can win your car accident lawsuit, and you can go home with the financial compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. 

Discuss Your Case With an Orlando Car Accident Lawyer for Free

Do you need to know more about filing a car accident lawsuit in Florida? If so, we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free, no-obligation consultation. 

Call (800) 766-1000 today to discuss your legal rights with an experienced car accident attorney at Colling Gilbert Wright. Your initial consultation is FREE of charge, and you don’t owe any attorney’s fees unless we reach a favorable outcome in your case.