You’ve just been in an accident. You’re injured, confused, and overwhelmed. So naturally, you do what most people would: open your browser and search for answers. “What is my injury claim worth?” “Should I settle with the insurance company?” “Do I even need a lawyer?”
Scroll after scroll, you’re met with forums, blogs, Reddit threads, and amateur YouTube videos each claiming to have the answer. But the truth is, Google doesn’t have a law degree, and blindly trusting internet advice can seriously hurt your case.
Some of the most common “tips” floating around online sound convincing. But they’re also dangerously misleading. Below, we’ll walk through the five biggest lies the internet tells injury victims and how each one could jeopardize your chance at a fair outcome.
Understanding the Damage Bad Advice Can Do to Your Case
Getting your information from the internet instead of a trusted attorney might seem harmless at first. But legal advice isn’t one-size-fits-all, and the wrong move early on can send your case spiraling in the wrong direction.
Here’s what can go wrong when you rely on questionable advice:
- You might unknowingly waive your rights. Saying or doing the wrong thing, even something seemingly innocent, can hurt your case.
- You could accept a lowball offer. What sounds like a decent amount may be far below what you actually deserve.
- You may delay key steps. Waiting too long to get treatment or file a claim can affect everything from your health to your legal rights.
- You risk falling into the traps set by insurance adjusters. They know what to say to make you feel like you’re in good hands until you realize you’ve signed away your leverage.
In short, a bad source of advice doesn’t just give you poor information—it can change the entire trajectory of your recovery, financially and emotionally.
Let’s look at the first common lie that causes more harm than good.
"You Don’t Need a Lawyer, the Insurance Company Will Treat You Fairly"
If you’ve read anything like: “You can handle this yourself. The insurance company will do what’s right,” take a step back.
This idea is one of the most persistent myths and the most harmful.
Here’s what actually happens:
- The insurance company is not your advocate. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible.
- They will happily use your inexperience against you. The more they can get you to say on record without legal guidance, the more they can twist your words later.
- They may offer a fast settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.
No one’s saying you can’t talk to an insurance company. But doing so without legal protection is like showing up to a chess match without knowing the rules.
Before you make a statement, sign any paperwork, or even return a call from an adjuster, it’s worth talking to a lawyer, even if it’s just to understand your position.
Which brings us to another bit of bad internet wisdom…
"If You’re Partly at Fault, You Can’t Get Compensation"
It’s easy to assume that if you had any role in the accident, say, you weren’t wearing a seatbelt, or maybe you were speeding a little, then you're out of luck.
But that’s not how the law works in many states.
In most places, such as Pennsylvania, the legal system acknowledges that accidents can have more than one cause. If someone else was also negligent, they can still be held financially responsible, even if you share some blame.
Here’s what really matters:
- Was someone else more at fault than you?
- Did their actions contribute directly to your injuries?
- Does your state allow compensation in cases of shared fault?
The answer to that last question depends on where you live. But one thing is consistent: assuming you don’t have a case just because you made a mistake can mean walking away from thousands of dollars you’re legally entitled to.
Instead of guessing, ask someone who knows how your state’s laws work and who will look at the full story, not just a soundbite.
Because another common mistake? Settling too soon.
"You Should Settle Quickly to Get It Over With"
There’s no denying that dealing with a claim is stressful. You want to move on. You want closure. And when a check is on the table, even a small one, it can be tempting to take it and be done.
But fast is not always fair.
Here’s why rushing to settle can backfire:
- You might not know the full scope of your injuries yet. Some injuries, especially soft tissue or internal ones, take time to show up, and even longer to treat.
- Once you settle, it’s final. You can’t reopen your case later, even if you discover that your treatment will take months (or years).
- Insurance companies know this, and they use it to their advantage. A quick offer is often a calculated move, not a generous one.
The right time to settle isn’t based on impatience—it’s based on knowing your damages, both physical and financial. A personal injury attorney can help you find that balance between timely and wise.
Unfortunately, this next lie makes people think every case is the same, so why bother fighting for more?
"All Injury Claims Are Basically the Same"
From the outside, many injury claims seem similar. Car accident? Check. Broken bone? Check. Insurance involved? Check.
But the thing is, no two cases are alike. And assuming otherwise can cost you.
Here’s what varies dramatically from case to case:
- The long-term impact of the injury.
- Who was at fault, and how easily that can be proven.
- The kind of insurance coverage involved.
- Whether or not the injured person missed work, or will need future care.
- What the local courts tend to award in similar cases.
If all injury claims were identical, there’d be no need for personal injury lawyers. But real life is messier, and the details matter.
Every injury case is a puzzle. And you can’t solve it by copying someone else’s answer sheet.
Still, plenty of websites will try to convince you that you can get that answer if you just plug your info into a handy little tool.
"Online Settlement Calculators Can Tell You What Your Case Is Worth"
It sounds like magic: enter a few numbers, hit submit, and out comes your “case value.”
The problem? It’s almost always wildly inaccurate.
Settlement calculators don’t know:
- How severe your injuries are.
- Whether you’ll need long-term treatment or surgeries.
- How your injury affects your ability to work, parent, or live your life.
- Whether pain and suffering should be considered and how to measure it.
They also don’t account for things like:
- Insurance policy limits.
- Comparative fault laws in your state.
- The skill and experience of the attorney negotiating your case.
At best, online calculators offer a ballpark range based on minimal inputs. At worst, they create false expectations, either too high or too low, and leave you unprepared for the actual process ahead.
Instead of clicking “calculate,” talk to someone who can ask the right questions and explain the real answers.
So, where does that leave you?
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Set the Record Straight and Protect Your Rights
When you're injured, what you really need isn’t generic advice from the internet. You need personalized, practical guidance from someone who understands your case, your needs, and your goals.
Here’s what an experienced personal injury attorney from Scaringi Law brings to the table:
- Clarity. We can cut through misinformation and tell you what’s relevant and what’s not.
- Protection. We shield you from predatory insurance tactics and ensure your rights are respected.
- Strategy. We help you build a case that includes all your damages, not just what’s easy to prove.
- Experience. We’ve seen hundreds of cases like yours, and we know what a fair result actually looks like.
Most importantly, we don’t just fight for your compensation, we fight for your peace of mind.
If you’re facing an injury claim and don’t know where to turn, don’t rely on a search engine to make legal decisions for you. Let’s talk about what’s really in your best interest.
Need help navigating the legal side of your injury? Reach out to us at (717) 775-7195 or fill out our online form to get started.