7 Common Reasons Why People Don’t File a Personal Injury Suit

Suffering a personal injury can be a painful, traumatic, and sometimes life-altering event. Not everyone who is injured due to someone else’s negligence decides to file a personal injury lawsuit, though. There are a variety of reasons that can hinder someone from pursuing a personal injury claim. While some of these reasons are certainly legitimate, others are based on false information or myths about the personal injury process.

Here are some reasons people might make against filing a personal injury lawsuit, and some thoughts to consider if you are on the fence:

  1. “A personal injury lawsuit is just about making money off someone else.” This could not be further from the truth. If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you should not have to bear the financial burden of your recovery. Someone who has actually suffered serious injuries in an accident is not looking to just make a quick buck by suing another party—they are seeking damages to cover the cost of their recovery and, in the case of life-altering injuries, the new way they must live as a result of the accident. 
  2. “Lawsuits are about getting back at someone for hurting you.” A lawsuit is not about getting revenge on a person or company. It is about recovering compensation for the damages you suffered due to another person’s negligence or reckless behavior. And while the priority is not to “get back” at that person or company, deterrence is often a positive side effect of a personal injury lawsuit. In other words, a lawsuit can deter a person or organization from harming someone else through negligent actions. For instance, consider a person who suffers a slip-and-fall injury at a business because the floors are wet and there are no warning signs posted. If the business then has to settle a lawsuit for their negligence, they are probably going to be more careful about creating a safe environment for their customers in the future. 
  3. “I can afford my medical bills on my own.” Perhaps you do have enough money to pay for your damages yourself. However, you should not have to. The person or organization whose negligence caused your injury should be held responsible for your damages. Moreover, if the negligent action was something that could easily affect other people who might not be able to cover their own medical bills—take the example of the slip-and-fall case in the last point—a lawsuit could help prevent more people from being injured. 
  4. “My injury isn’t serious enough for a lawsuit.” There is no law that states your injury has to be of a particular severity in order to qualify for a personal injury claim. Regardless of the severity, an injury can significantly impact your life. You might have had to miss work for doctor’s appointments, and you might notice you are suffering from psychological side effects, such as fear of driving or anxiety. Moreover, the symptoms of some injuries can manifest days or even weeks after your accident, so you should not assume your injuries are minor just because you might not have a lot of pain immediately after the accident. 
  5. “The defendant doesn’t have any money.” Perhaps the person responsible for your injury does not have insurance to cover your damages, and you believe you will not be able to get any compensation if you sue them. You should still consult with a personal injury attorney before writing off your case. A judge might be able to order wage garnishment, or the defendant might have assets you don’t know about. Your attorney can also examine the accident and determine whether another party could also be liable for your injuries. 
  6. “People will think less of me because of my lawsuit.” Unfortunately, some people have a negative perception of personal injury lawsuits, not matter what the situation. Usually these people have never been injured because of someone else’s negligent behavior, and they simply do not understand the position you are in. Chances are their view would change pretty quickly if they were in your shoes, so try not to allow other people’s opinions to deter you from pursuing your claim. 
  7. “I don’t have time to devote to my case.” First off, if you hire a personal injury attorney to handle your claim, a large portion of the work will be done by the firm. Moreover, you will not know how much of your time will be required if you do not at least consult with an attorney. Sometimes, cases are very cut-and-dry and can be settled fairly quickly; others will require more of the plaintiff’s time. This varies depending on several factors, so you should not make assumptions until you have discussed your case with an experienced attorney.

“There are a variety of factors that influence whether or not someone pursues a personal injury case. It is a personal choice you should consider carefully, so make sure you are fully informed before making a decision,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, El Centro, and Yucca Valley, and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

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