Hurt in an accident in Chicago? You have the right to hold the at-fault party liable through a personal injury claim. A DIY approach to the personal injury claims process is almost certainly a big mistake. A lot of problems can happen if you lack professional legal representation. At Kennedy Watkins LLC, we provide free, no obligation initial consultations. Here, our Chicago personal injury attorney highlights four things that could go wrong if you do not have a lawyer after a bad accident in Illinois.
- You May Miss Key Deadlines (Personal Injury Claims are Time-Sensitive)
You do not have an indefinite amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois State law sets strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims. In most cases, you only have two years from the date of the accident to bring a lawsuit. There are very limited exceptions to the rule. If you try to handle the claim alone, you may not understand when the clock starts running or whether exceptions apply. Negligent defendants and insurance companies benefit when victims miss deadlines. Once the statute of limitations expires, your right to compensation ends completely. You do not want to fall behind the defense in the claims process. Protect yourself by speaking to a Chicago personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after a serious accident.
Tip: The best approach after a serious accident in Illinois is to contact a lawyer before you give any recorded statement to an insurance company. The sooner you speak to a lawyer, the quicker that he or she will be able to get started on your case. A proactive approach can make a big difference.
- You are at Serious Risk of Settling Your Claim for Less
Insurance adjusters often act friendly. They are trained to come across as disarming, even helpful when they talk to you on the phone. However, the reality is far different. Insurance adjusters are not on your side. Quite the contrary, they are focused on protecting their company’s bottom line. Without a top-rated Chicago personal injury attorney, you may accept a quick settlement that does not come close to covering your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and/or future needs. Indeed, too many victims learn too late that the money ran out long before the recovery ended. An experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer understands how insurers operate. Your lawyer can help you negotiate for the absolute maximum financial compensation after a bad accident.
Tip: Do not accept a quick settlement. Those are often lowball offers by the insurance company. You always have the right to negotiate for additional financial compensation. A Chicago, IL personal injury lawyer can help you seek the full financial support that you deserve.
- You Could Lose Out On Key Evidence and Maybe Be Held Liable for Your Own Accident
Strong evidence makes the difference between winning and losing a personal injury case. Handling your own claim makes it easy to miss crucial details. You may not know how to obtain surveillance footage, secure accident reports, or preserve expert testimony. Insurance companies take advantage when victims lack evidence. Your Chicago personal injury lawyer can comprehensively investigate your accident and ensure that all relevant evidence is gathered and preserved. Without professional legal guidance, you could even be held liable for your own accident.
One reason why this is so important is that comparative negligence applies. Under Illinois law (735 I.L.C.S. § 5/2-1116), a modified comparative negligence standard is used to apportion liability in a personal injury case. You can still recover compensation if you are partly at fault for your accident, but only if your share of responsibility is less than 51 percent. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 25 percent at fault for an accident in Chicago and your damages total $100,000, you can still recover for $75,000. However, if you are 51 percent or more at fault, Illinois law bars you from any financial recovery through a fault-based legal claim.
- You Could Face Serious Stress and Financial Strain
Dealing with the aftermath of a bad accident is hard. It is normal to feel stressed out, confused, and even totally overwhelmed. Indeed, recovering from a serious accident takes a heavy toll on your health and finances. If you try to manage a claim on your own, the stress compounds. Negotiating with insurance companies, gathering records, and worrying about mistakes consumes valuable energy you need for healing. Worse, delays or errors can cause unpaid bills to pile up.You have the right to work with a professional. A Chicago personal injury lawyer can carry that burden on your behalf. Among other things, they can handle communications, push for timely payment, and fight to secure the maximum recovery.
How Our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Personal injury claims are complicated. If you do not hire a lawyer, it will be far more challenging to secure the full and fair financial compensation that you deserve. Do not go it alone. At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago attorneys have a proven record of verdicts and settlements in high-stakes personal injury claims. We are ready to review your case, answer your questions, and explain your options. Your initial consultation with our Chicago personal injury lawyer is free and confidential.
Contact Our Chicago Personal Injury Attorney Today
At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago personal injury attorney fights aggressively for justice. You do not have to take on insurance companies alone. If you have any questions about your rights and your options, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today for a free case review. With an office in Chicago, we fight for justice for victims and families throughout Northern Illinois, including in Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, Will County, and Kendall County.