Personal Injury Myths & Misconceptions: Minor Injuries Aren’t Worth Fighting For
The latest installment in our series on injury myths and misconceptions is the idea that small or minor injuries aren’t worth fighting for.
When an insurer rejects your claim, or tries to say your injuries aren’t as bad as you claim, it can be extremely discouraging. The daunting idea of trying to fight back against a huge insurance company is enough to make people just accept what they are offered. Add the prospect of going to trial, and many are left feeling like they really don’t stand a chance. This feeling is often compounded when injuries are “invisible.”
But does this mean you shouldn’t bother trying to pursue proper benefits to recover from your injury, or that spending time and energy fighting your insurer will be more trouble than it’s worth?
Fact: You have insurance so that it’s there if you need it. It is always worth it to pursue the benefits and compensation that you are entitled to, regardless of how severe the injury was. This goes for motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, workplace accidents, and any other situation where you are covered by insurance.
Knowing more about how insurance companies work will help you to understand that all injuries are worth fighting for. It’s important to understand that insurers are really only interested in one thing: paying out as little in benefits as possible. That’s the nature of the business; they exist to make money for their shareholders.
Insurers build a lot of friction into all of their processes in the hopes that only the most seriously injured claimants will push for coverage. But it is your right to receive the benefits you need to recover.
If you’ve been in an accident of any sort (motor vehicle, slip and fall, workplace, etc.) and have what seem to be small or minor injuries, or are concerned that your invisible injuries won’t be believed, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Often smaller injuries are more serious than they first appear.
- Injuries that start off as small can become much worse if not treated properly. Getting assessed and treated for all injuries is essential!
- If the idea of going to trial is a deterrent, you should know that the vast majority of insurance disputes are settled out of court.
- A good lawyer will do the heavy lifting of dealing with the insurance company, leaving you to focus on getting better.
- A lawyer has the resources to gather the evidence required to support your claim. This can include getting assessments by specialists and experts, and is especially important when your injuries are “invisible.”
One final note: it’s important to say here that when talking about auto insurance, insurance companies have a specific definition of “minor injury”: it’s one that falls into the Minor Injury Guideline (MIG) and determines what benefits you are eligible for. Auto insurers try to categorize almost all injuries as minor to begin with, in the interests of saving money. If you have motor vehicle injuries, it is absolutely essential that they are categorized accurately, because the amount and types of benefits you can receive under the MIG may fall very short of what you need to make a proper and timely recovery.
If you are having a hard time with your insurer, please contact us. We’d be happy to review your case and help you understand your rights and your next possible steps.