Personal injury claims can feel like a maze when you’re already dealing with pain, stress, and uncertainty. In Albany, with icy sidewalks in the winter, high-traffic areas like Central Avenue or I-787, and busy workplaces add to the risk of getting hurt, people often don’t know what to expect after an accident. And with it, there’s no shortage of myths floating around.
Maybe someone told you that your injury “isn’t serious enough” to need a lawyer. Or maybe you think filing a claim means months in courtrooms and sky-high legal bills. These assumptions can keep you from getting the help and compensation you deserve.
We contacted one of Albany’s top personal injury law firms to dispel the five most persistent myths about personal injury claims so you know what’s actually true when it comes to protecting your rights in Albany.
Myth 1: “Only Serious Injuries Need Lawyers”
“This is one of the most dangerous misunderstandings we see,” says Ron F. Wright, Esq., Partner at Horn Wright, LLP. People often think, “It was just a bump on the head,” or “My back only hurt a little.” So they walk away without reporting it, getting checked out, or speaking to a lawyer.
The truth is even minor injuries can spiral into something much more serious.
Injuries like whiplash, concussions, or soft tissue damage don’t always show their full effect right away. You might feel fine immediately after a car crash near Everett Road or a slip and fall at Crossgates Mall, only to experience chronic pain or neurological symptoms days or weeks later. By then, it might be harder to prove the link between the accident and your condition.
That’s where an attorney can make a world of difference.
A personal injury lawyer will help document your injuries properly from the beginning. They also anticipate how an injury might progress and build your claim based on that. In Albany, there are cases where people thought they were walking away from a minor accident, only to face surgeries, missed work, and long-term therapy months later.
The takeaway here is if you’ve been hurt (even slightly) it’s smart to talk to someone who knows what to look for.
Myth 2: “Hiring a Lawyer is Too Expensive”
Money worries are real, especially after an accident. Between medical bills, lost wages, and daily stress, the idea of paying for legal help can feel out of reach. That’s why this myth sticks around.
But here’s the good news: hiring a personal injury lawyer doesn’t cost anything upfront.
Most personal injury attorneys in Albany, including the attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, work on a contingency fee basis. That means they only get paid if you win. Our fees come from the settlement or award, not out of your pocket. No win, no fee.
Let’s say you were injured in a rideshare accident downtown on Pearl Street. You’re out of work, attending physical therapy, and dealing with mounting hospital costs. You don’t have to choose between paying for a lawyer or covering your rent. They step in, handle the claim, and you only pay if and when you get paid.
Legal support should never be a luxury. In Albany, it isn’t.
Myth 3: “I Have Plenty of Time to File a Claim”
After an accident, time slips by faster than you expect. You’re busy with doctor visits, recovering, and adjusting to a new routine. It’s easy to think, “I’ll deal with the legal stuff later.”
But waiting too long can cost you everything.
In New York, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. But that doesn’t mean you should wait two years and eleven months. Why? Because every day that passes, evidence fades. Witnesses forget what they saw. Medical records get harder to track. And in some cases like claims against a government agency or the City of Albany you may have just 90 days to file a notice of claim.
Time matters more than most people think. “The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better your chances,” says Wright.
Myth 4: “Insurance Companies Will Always Offer Fair Compensation”
This one might be the biggest myth of them all.
It’s easy to assume your insurance company or the other party’s will step up and do the right thing. After all, you pay them for protection, right? Sadly, their goal isn’t to help you recover. Their goal is to protect their bottom line.
In Albany, insurance adjusters pressure people into accepting lowball offers, sometimes within days of the accident. They may say it’s the “best you’ll get,” or that you don’t need a lawyer. Don’t fall for it.
Here are some of the tactics they use:
- Offering quick settlements before injuries are fully diagnosed
- Delaying responses to wear you down
- Twisting your words from recorded statements
- Using your medical history to minimize your claim
Imagine you’re injured in a bike crash near Washington Park. The insurance company offers you a $10,000 settlement right away. It sounds good in the moment. But you don’t yet know that your knee injury will need surgery, and six months off work. Without legal help, you could be stuck paying for it all yourself.
A good injury attorney steps in to push back, demand documentation, and negotiate based on the full value of your injury, not what the insurance company feels like paying.
Myth 5: “Personal Injury Claims Always End Up in Court”
Courtrooms, judges, long trials: it all sounds intimidating. And many people assume that filing a claim means signing up for a long, exhausting legal battle.
But the reality? Most personal injury cases never see the inside of a courtroom.
In Albany, attorneys resolve the majority of our claims through settlement. That means they negotiate directly with the insurance company or the responsible party’s lawyer and reach an agreement without going to trial. It’s often quicker, less stressful, and gets money into your hands faster.
Of course, if a fair settlement isn’t offered, a good attorney always ready to take the case to trial. But most of the time, people walk away with a solid resolution, and no courtroom drama. Settlements offer control, privacy, and peace of mind. That’s something every injured person deserves.
Don’t Let Myths Stop You From Pursuing Your Rights
Don’t let myths and bad advice keep you from getting the help you need. Whether you’re dealing with a slip-and-fall injury, a crash on Central Avenue, or a dog bite in your neighborhood, understanding the truth behind these personal injury claims myths can make a big difference.