Personal Injury Lawyer Consultation

When a potential client contacts us, they often ask, “Do I have a case?” In reality, they’re asking, “Do I need a lawyer for my case?” Most of the time, they have never been in a situation where they need legal counsel, so they want to make sure if their personal injury claim would fare better with legal representation.

If you ever find yourself injured by the negligence of another, here are 3 questions to ask yourself to determine whether or not you need to hire a top-rated personal injury attorney:

3 Questions to Determine Whether or Not You Need a Personal Injury Attorney

#1: Can I handle this myself, or do I need a personal injury lawyer to level the playing field?

If you broke a bone or suffered a concussion in an accident or were transported to the hospital after a slip and fall in a parking lot, you may be asking yourself, “When should I hire a personal injury lawyer?” Our recommendation is as soon as possible. You also should avoid resolving the case, unless you are completely done treating with your doctors and your injury has healed.

Why? Cases involving serious and permanent injuries are far more difficult to resolve on your own. A personal injury lawyer is experienced in handling these cases. They can help you get what you actually deserve in compensation for your damages—not what the insurance company thinks you deserve. Your attorney will also investigate the incident and collect evidence supporting your case. A good lawyer is your advocate, and they will do everything in their power to fight for you.

On the other hand, if you had a low-speed impact and no one was injured, you may be reimbursed by an insurance company for any property damage your vehicle sustained. In these situations, you can most likely settle your claim without needing representation from a personal injury attorney.  However, you can always give us a call at (312) 578-9501, and we will try to point you in the right direction.

Attorney Joseph Shannon also wrote a book to help accident victims resolve their claims in Illinois without hiring an attorney. Click here to request your free copy of How to Settle Your Own Auto Accident Claim in Illinois today.

#2: Were my injuries caused by the negligence of another person or entity?

The law defines negligence as the failure to behave with the level of care that someone of ordinary prudence would have exercised under the same circumstances.  For example, if a truck driver was texting when they hit your car, any injuries you suffered from the crash were caused by the negligence of the truck driver.

If you have serious injuries as a result of a crash, there is a lot of evidence and information out there to secure to prove negligence.  Investigators for the insurance company will be all over it, so it’s important to have a team of dedicated personal injury attorneys by your side to find this evidence first to prove the other party’s negligent actions caused your injuries.

#3: Do I have any recoverable damages (medical bills, lost wages, etc)?

If you were not injured in the crash and went to work the next day without any medical treatment, you most likely do not need a lawyer to assist you. In contrast, if you missed a lot of work and have to undergo months of treatment, these losses are recoverable in a personal injury lawsuit.

The damages recoverable in negligence cases in Illinois are separated into two categories: economic and noneconomic. Economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, are concrete and measurable.

Common examples of economic damages are:

  • Medical bills, including costs covered by your health insurance provider.  Any costs associated with the treatment you received as a result of the incident can be recovered.
  • Past and future lost wages. You’re also entitled to any income you lost in the past, as well as any future wages you would have earned had you not been injured.
  • Lost earning capacity. This type of loss is determined by the reduction in a person’s ability to earn an income due to a personal injury.
  • Out of pocket expenses related to the injury, such as home renovations or medical equipment costs.

Noneconomic damages, like pain and suffering or diminished quality of life, are more difficult to estimate. If you are seriously injured, you have such damages.  If you choose not to hire a lawyer following a serious injury, you may never recover these damages.

A jury typically awards these damages to personal injury victims during a trial. There are no caps on how much non-economic damages a plaintiff can recover in the state of Illinois.

As trial lawyers, it’s our job to tell our client’s story to a jury and convey how their injury has impacted every aspect of their life. Their story is often told through non-economic damages.

Non-economic damages include: 

  • Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering encompass both physical and mental pain that the plaintiff endures every day because of their injury.
  • Disability. If you suffer were disabled as a result of someone else’s negligence, you have a right to recover compensation for these impairments.
  • Disfigurement. People injured through no fault of their own may be awarded damages for disfigurement if they sustained scarring or lost a limb.
  • Loss of society. This type of compensation is for close relatives of plaintiffs. When your loved one is seriously injured, they’re no longer present or available in the ways they once were. These injuries often change family dynamics. Spouses or children may become caretakers overnight. The law understands that folks should be compensated for this loss.

Not Sure Whether You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer? Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

If you or someone you love was seriously injured through no fault of your own, our compassionate personal injury lawyers are here for you. Our team can review your case at no cost to you. Contact us today for a free consultation. Call us 24/7 at (312) 578-9501 or fill out a form on our website to get started.

 

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