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Personal injury myths

If youโ€™ve been hurt in an accident, youโ€™ll hear advice from friends, social media, even the other driverโ€™s insurer. Some of it is flat-out wrong. These personal injury lawsuit myths can quietly wreck a strong claim, delay your recovery, or leave money on the table.ย 

In this blog we debunk the 11 biggest myths we hear in intakes and strategy calls at West Coast Trial Lawyers and explain what to do instead.

Have questions about your own situation? Talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer at (213) 927-3700 or send a message and weโ€™ll give you straight answers.

Myth #1: โ€œInsurance Companies Will Get Me More Money if I Donโ€™t Hire a Lawyer.โ€

A woman and an insurance adjuster discussing damages while looking at a damaged car.

Reality: Insurance carriers are trained to minimize what they pay. Adjusters may discourage medical care, rush you to a low first offer, or ask for statements that hurt your case. An attorney levels the field: we control communications, calculate full damages (medical, wage loss, future care, pain and suffering), and negotiate from a position of strength.

Do this instead: Keep it simple with insurers (โ€œIโ€™m getting evaluated and will be in touchโ€), decline recorded statements, and call counsel early.

Myth #2: โ€œI Feel Okayโ€ฆI Donโ€™t Need a Doctor.โ€

A woman talking to her doctor.

Reality: Adrenaline hides injuries. Concussions, internal injuries, and soft-tissue damage often appear later. Gaps in treatment let insurers argue your pain isnโ€™t related.ย 

Do this instead: Get evaluated within 24โ€“48 hours, follow the treatment plan, and save all records (theyโ€™re evidence).

Myth #3: โ€œI Have Plenty of Time to File.โ€

A person circling the 30th on a calendar.

Reality (California): Most personal injury claims must be filed within 2 years (Code Civ. Proc. ยง335.1). If a public entity is involved (City of L.A., County, Metro), a Government Claim is usually due in 6 months, miss it and your case can vanish. Medical malpractice has a different, often shorter timeline.

Do this instead: Call early so we can preserve evidence and calendar every deadline.

Myth #4: โ€œFiling a Personal Injury Claim Is Expensive.โ€

A man calculating his bills.

Reality: We work on a contingency fee, meaning, you pay nothing upfront and no attorneyโ€™s fee unless we win. Other firms may bill hourly, but you donโ€™t have to choose that model.

Do this instead: Ask about fee structure, case costs, and how liens/medical bills get handled so you understand your net recovery.

Myth #5: โ€œI Canโ€™t Recover Because I Was Partially at Fault.โ€

A man sitting on the curb miserable, after getting in a car accident.

Reality: California uses pure comparative negligence. Even if youโ€™re 90% at fault, you can still recover the remaining 10% of your damages. Insurers love to inflate your percentage; our job is to push it back down with scene evidence, video surveillance, and expert analysis.

Do this instead: Donโ€™t argue fault at the scene. Document what you can; weโ€™ll handle liability strategy.

Myth #6: โ€œI Have to Give a Recorded Statement to the Other Driverโ€™s Insurer.โ€

An Accident Report.

Reality: You donโ€™t. Statements are used against you for inconsistencies. Even minor wording differences become excuses to reduce payment.ย 

Do this instead: Refer all calls to your attorney. We provide written updates and evidence on our terms.

Myth #7: โ€œThe First Settlement Offer Is the Best Iโ€™ll Get.โ€

A man handing a person a check.

Reality: Early offers rarely account for future medical care, lost earning capacity, or non-economic damages. Theyโ€™re designed to close your claim cheaply, before the full picture is known.

Do this instead: Complete your initial treatment, let us collect complete medicals, and negotiate with full numbers. If needed, we file suit.

Myth #8: โ€œPosting on Social Media Wonโ€™t Affect My Case.โ€

A woman on her phone.

Reality: Insurers and defense lawyers scrutinize social media feeds. A single โ€œIโ€™m fineโ€ post or a smiling photo during recovery can be taken out of context.

Do this instead: Go quiet online. Lock down privacy settings and donโ€™t discuss the case.

Myth #9: โ€œMinor Crashes Canโ€™t Cause Serious Injuries.โ€

A huge scratch on a car's front bumper.

Reality: Low-speed impacts can still cause concussions, disc injuries, or aggravation of pre-existing conditions. Jurors respond to medical proof, not bumper photos.

Do this instead: Get the right diagnostics (your doctor may order MRI/CT), follow through, and document symptoms day by day.

Myth #10: โ€œAll Personal Injury Cases Go to Trial.โ€

An empty courtroom.

Reality: Most cases settle, but preparing like weโ€™re going to trial is why they settle for more. When carriers see weโ€™ve preserved video, retained experts, and filed on time, negotiations change.

Do this instead: Choose a firm that litigates, like WCTL, not just one that sends demand letters.

Myth #11: โ€œAny Lawyer Can Handle My Case.โ€

A lawyer talking to his clients.

Reality: PI (personal injury) is evidence-heavy and deadline-sensitive. You want a local team that knows the adjusters, courts, medical experts, and public-entity rules in your states and local counties.ย 

Do this instead: Ask about results in your case type, trial experience, and who actually handles your file day-to-day.

What to Do After an Injury (Quick Checklist)

  • Get medical care- See a doctor and listen what they have to say.ย 
  • Document everything- Take photos, incident reports, witness names, and insurance info.
  • Stay off social media-ย Do not post or share anything about the accident, as it can hurt your claim.ย 
  • Call West Coast Trial Lawyers- Weโ€™ll preserve evidence, handle insurers, and track every deadline.

Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Two rows of personal injury lawyers from WCTL.

Every case has moving parts like medical proof, liability disputes, and deadlines. Let us take that weight off your shoulders. Weโ€™ll listen, explain your options, and move quickly to protect your claim so you get the maximum compensation.

Call (213) 927-3700 or send a message for a free, confidential consultation with West Coast Trial Lawyers.ย 

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