Top Myths About Personal Injury Claims You Should Ignore

There are so many myths floating around out here in Vegas about personal injury claims that they end up costing people thousands in compensation. People lose out because they believe the wrong thing, and nobody ever corrects them. That’s what this article is here to do.

Nevada, the state where Las Vegas sits, plays by its own rules when it comes to injury law. And if you don’t know those rules, it’s way too easy to believe the lies. If you’re unsure about anything, talk to a top-rated Las Vegas injury lawyer who knows the local laws inside and out.

Nonetheless, here are the top myths you should ignore in Vegas, particularly:

Myth #1: If You Were Partly to Blame, You Get Nothing

The idea that being partly responsible means you can’t get paid is a total myth. Nevada lets you collect compensation as long as you’re not 51% or more to blame.

So don’t let an insurance adjuster, your cousin, or someone on Facebook tell you otherwise. This myth is dangerous. It convinces people not to fight back. It stops people from calling a lawyer. It makes people settle for nothing when they are legally owed something. Don’t let that happen to you. 

Myth #2: There Are No Limits on Damages in Nevada

Now this one’s tricky because it’s half true and half false. Nevada doesn’t cap everything. So if you’re thinking about things like your medical bills, therapy, lost wages, or even travel costs to get to appointments, there’s no cap on all those because they’re basically economic damages. It’s basically anything you can calculate in dollars and cents. 

However, non-economic damages such as pain, suffering, and emotional trauma are capped in medical malpractice cases, and the maximum amount is $350,000.

On top of that, punitive damages, which are meant to punish the other person, also have limits in most personal injury cases. Here’s how that works:

• If your regular (compensatory) damages are under $100,000, punitive damages are capped at $300,000.
• If you were awarded $100,000 or more, the most you can get in punitive damages is three times that amount.

But like everything in law, there are exceptions. Nevada doesn’t cap punitive damages in certain cases, like:

• If you were hurt by a drunk driver
• If you were injured because of defective products
• If the person who caused the injury did something fraudulent, such as insurance fraud or discrimination
• Or if they caused harm by dumping hazardous waste

So the idea that there’s no cap? Totally false. But the idea that everything is capped? Also false. That’s why you need someone who understands Nevada law inside and out to tell you where the money stops and where it doesn’t. 

Myth #3: Every Case Leads to a Massive Settlement

Thanks to movies and TV, a lot of people think that filing a personal injury claim is like hitting the jackpot, especially in Vegas. But in real life, the amount of money you get from a settlement depends on a whole bunch of factors, including:

• How bad your injuries are
• Whether you can prove who was at fault
• How long will your recovery take
• If you can work again
• How does the injury affect your daily life

And believe it or not, it also depends on things like how fast you got medical help and what you say to the insurance company. If you delay treatment, they might argue that you made your injury worse. If you talk too soon to an adjuster, they might twist your words. 

Myth #4: If You Go to Court, You’ll Get Less Money

A lot of people are afraid to take their case to court. They think it’s risky and that it means they’ll walk away with less. But here’s the truth:

Court can be complicated and time-consuming, yes. But sometimes it’s the only way to get what you really deserve. Most personal injury cases settle outside of court because it saves time, stress, and money for both sides. But if the insurance company lowballs you or refuses to take responsibility, going to court might be your best move. 

Myth #5: You Can’t Afford a Las Vegas Injury Lawyer

You don’t have to pay thousands of dollars upfront to hire a personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas. At most reputable firms, you only pay if they win money for you. It’s called a contingency fee.

That means no hourly rates, no bills every month, and definitely no stress about how you’ll afford a lawyer. They get paid out of the final settlement. And if you don’t win, then you don’t owe them anything. It’s that simple.

This setup lets regular people, people without savings or legal knowledge, stand up to insurance companies that are stacked with lawyers and money.