When you are in a stressful situation, it's all too easy to get tripped up. An accident with an injury can present accident victims with the perfect storm of issues and stresses. You might be harming your chances for compensation if you are not careful so read on and be forewarned about these personal injury misconceptions.

It's Too Late

Many accident victims have heard of the statute of limitations but may not fully understand how this rule works. While it's correct that if you wait too long to take action you might not have the chance, the time allowed is usually quite generous. The time you have to file a court case varies by state, but it is at least a year in all cases.

It's Not Worth the Trouble

Before you make the decision not to take action you should understand what you might be dealing with in terms of damages. Even minor accidents can incur thousands of dollars in medical bills and that is just the beginning. Speak to a personal injury attorney to find out how much your case is worth before you miss out on the compensation.

Feeling Sympathy for the Other Driver

It's only natural that you feel sorry for the other driver. After all, it might have easily been you in the driver's seat. Accidents do happen, however, and that is why auto insurance exists. You are not actually taking action against the other driver, at least in most cases. Instead, taking action means investigating fault (liability) and adding up the damages. It is a financial issue and you should not feel guilty about seeking to be paid damages.

You Don't Have Time to Deal with a Court Case

You might be surprised at how quickly some accident claims can be settled. In fact, the vast majority of personal injury cases settle outside of court. Settlements can occur mere weeks after an accident and are a quick and easy way to be paid your damages. How long your case might take to be resolved depends on the complexity of it.

The Other Driver Has Insurance So You Don't Need an Attorney

While it is possible that the other driver's insurance will cover your damages, that may not be true in all cases. If you have severe injuries, have missed a lot of work, or your claim is being disputed, you might need legal help. Pain and suffering and lost wages are just two major forms of damage not covered by most insurance policies.

You would be smart to reconsider the above misconceptions and speak to a personal injury attorney about your case.