The aftermath of a car accident is a stressful time, leading you to deal with unplanned circumstances-from how to cope with physical and emotional pain, to covering medical costs with less income from lost time at work. Understandably, you may feel intimidated by tackling these challenges on your own. Many feel the same way after a car wreck and aren’t sure what the next steps they should take. In this blog, a car crash lawyer in Chicago answers some common questions you might have if you are deciding to get an attorney after a car accident.
1. Do I Need a Chicago Car Crash Lawyer?
If you are not injured after a wreck, you may not need a car crash lawyer in Chicago. However, don’t entirely rule it out. In certain situations, an attorney’s legal knowledge may be critical–even if you are not injured.
You need a lawyer if:
- You suffered a catastrophic injury
- A passenger in your vehicle was injured
- Your injury required hospitalization
- Medical bills are more than a couple thousand dollars
- The police report does not show an accurate account of what happened
- Fault is disputable
- You are not sure of your rights
- The insurance paperwork and forms you have received since the accident are confusing
- The terms of your insurance policy are not clear to you
- You suspect your insurance company is acting in bad faith by denying your coverage
- Your insurer is acting strangely and ignoring you or being unkind/aggressive
- Your insurance company gets a lawyer
2. Can I Get Compensation?
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you might be eligible for compensation for the following:
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Car repairs and property damage
- Present and future medical costs
- Rehabilitation programs
- Future medical costs
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages
- Reduced earnings capacity
If you hire an attorney, they will fight for you to win the maximum amount of compensation possible.
3. Won’t My Insurance Handle It?
Your insurance company may handle costs associated with a car wreck. However, insurance companies are notorious for trying to pay out the least possible amount they owe you, so that they come out on top. While your insurance may offer you a settlement, it is likely much less than you deserve.
A car crash lawyer in Chicago knows to look out for the many ways your insurance company may try to trick you out or a fair settlement. For instance, your insurance company may:
- Deny your claim entirely
- Use surveillance to find evidence against you by monitoring your social media accounts and looking at your medical records
- Dispute the severity of your injuries, or say that the accident did not cause these injuries
- Demand a recorded statement or medical records within a specific time frame
- Claim your policy does not cover medical bills
- Claim that you paid for less coverage
- Attempt subrogation, which is when an insurance company pays out a claim on your behalf, and then seeks reimbursement from the party who was responsible for the accident.
- Try to settle for less to avoid paying the full amount
4. How Do I Get Compensation?
If you hire a car crash lawyer in Chicago from Lerner and Rowe, they will calculate the value of your claim and review the evidence related to your case in order to determine who is liable. Insurance will only pay up to the driver’s policy limits. In turn, we will also evaluate the possibility of pursuing the at-fault driver personally to seek further compensation to cover expenses not covered by insurance.
If necessary, we are prepared to file a lawsuit for your claim and take it to court if necessary. Without an attorney, you would be doing all of this yourself, or settling for less than you deserve.
5. How Can I Help My Lawyer With My Case?
While hiring legal professionals to help build a strong case can result in just compensation, you can do a few things as well to help solidify your case, including:
- Following your doctor’s orders: following medical advice proves you’re taking your injury and recovery seriously. Without showing this, the insurance company may argue that your injury isn’t as severe as you claim.
- Keeping all documentation related to the accident: includes medical records, insurance paperwork, photos and videos from the scene, police reports, and witness statements. The more documentation you have, the stronger your case will be.
- Avoiding admitting fault: if you think you were partially at fault for the accident, don’t say anything that could be used against you. Remember, the insurance company is looking for any excuse to deny your claim. Don’t even say anything as innocent as “I’m sorry” or “it was an accident.”
6. How Soon After My Accident Should I Hire a Chicago Car Crash Lawyer?
It is best to hire a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the sooner they can start working on your case. According to Illinois law, you have two years to file a personal injury claim from the date of the accident. If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to file a claim.
7. What Happens After I Hire a Lawyer?
The next steps after hiring an attorney depend on the circumstances surrounding your case. However, here are some steps that might occur after you hire an attorney:
- Consultation: you will meet with a lawyer to discuss your case, explain your legal options, and advise you on the best course of action.
- Investigation: this may involve gathering evidence from the scene of the accident, reviewing police reports, and speaking to witnesses. They will also need to learn about your medical injuries and expenses.
- Demand letter: after investigating, your attorney may send a demand letter to the insurance company outlining your injuries and damages and demand a specific amount of compensation.
- Negotiation: if the insurance company does not accept, your attorney will negotiate with them to reach a settlement that fairly compensates you for your injuries and damages.
- Litigation: if you are unable to reach a settlement, your case may go to trial where your lawyer will present your case to the judge or jury and argue for a verdict in your favor.
8. Why Should I Hire a Lawyer?
When you hire a personal injury lawyer from Lerner and Rowe after a car accident, you will have an experienced legal professional on your side. They will help with:
- Determining if you have a valid personal injury claim
- Dealing with the insurance company so you can focus on recovery
- Investigating the accident
- Negotiating with the insurance company
- Filing a claim with the insurance company
- Representing you in court.
Contact a Car Crash Lawyer in Chicago Today
We understand that much of what occurs after an accident can be confusing and stressful. That is why we don’t suggest that you try to handle it all on your own while you’re recovering from injuries. A car crash lawyer in Chicago from Lerner and Rowe will build a strong case to win the compensation you deserve.
If you or a family member are severely injured in a car accident because of a negligent driver, we can help. Our lawyers have more than 240 years of combined experience winning maximum compensation for injury victims. In fact, our attorneys have won more than $1-billion in the last 5 years for clients nationwide. Reach out to us today and begin your free, no obligation consultation.
The legal team at Lerner and Rowe are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 844-977-1900. You can also connect with us online by filling out this convenient form or connecting with one of our LiveChat agents.