Accidents can strike at any moment, and not all accidents can be prevented; however, if your accident was due to another person’s disregard for your safety, you may be able to hold that person accountable. When someone causes another person harm, either through willful action or by accident, you can seek damages for your losses.

You may have suffered great losses because of your accident. You could be looking at hefty hospital bills, you may be missing a lot of time at work, and you could be dealing with the cost of physical therapy and mental health services. That’s not even including the suffering you’ve endured, for which you are also owed compensation.

Filing a personal injury claim isn’t easy, but when you have the right lawyer on your side, your chance of reaching a positive resolution increase greatly. Your attorney will investigate your accident, figure out who’s to blame, prove your case, and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. Partner with a Chicago personal injury lawyer from Lane & Lane, LLC.

Understanding Negligence in Illinois Personal Injury Claims

Injured accident victims are able to file personal injury claims because of the laws regarding negligence in Illinois. When a person is negligent or careless, and that carelessness results in another person’s injury, the negligent party can be held financially responsible. This means that you can sue the person for damages in civil court.

When you pursue a case against an at-fault party, you are doing so for two main reasons: compensation for your losses and justice for the harm that person has done to you. One other important note about negligence is that you don’t have to be 100 percent faultless in order to seek damages.

Even if you are partially to blame for the accident that harmed you, you can still pursue a claim against the other party for the role he or she played in your accident—as long as that person’s fault is greater than yours. This is called contributory fault.

Here’s an example of when you may be partially at fault for an accident and still eligible to file:

You’re approaching a green light in your car and are proceeding through the intersection; you look away from the road to hand your toddler a pacifier he dropped. Someone runs a red light and smashes into you, causing you injuries. The red-light runner is mostly at fault for the collision, but you are partially to blame because you looked away from the road.

In the above example, you would be well within your rights to seek damages, but your total settlement may be reduced by the percentage of fault that you are found responsible for.

Illinois Personal Injury Statute of Limitations

Most states set a time limit on how long you have to file a personal injury claim after an accident. This time limit is called the “statute of limitations.” If you fail to file your claim within the allotted time, you won’t be able to file a claim at all—no matter how much evidence you have or how much you deserve compensation.

The statute of limitations in Illinois is two years from the date of your injury accident. Don’t risk having your case rejected by waiting too long. Even if you still have plenty of time until the timeframe expires, you should file your case as soon as possible.

If you delay, key evidence could go missing or witnesses could forget what happened. Your case could also become harder and harder to prove as even you might no longer clearly remember exactly what occurred.

Most Common Types of Chicago Personal Injury Cases

There are a great many ways a person can suffer injury because of another’s negligence; however, there are some common injury types, and it is helpful to know them as the laws are different depending on which case you have.

For instance, if you have a medical malpractice case, there are different rules and laws that govern how that type of case should be handled. It is much more difficult to prove medical negligence than it is to prove general negligence.

Each case is unique, and some are much more complex than others. You can rest assured that your Chicago personal injury attorney will know how to address your case to get the compensation you deserve. Listed below are the most common types of personal injury cases and a little information about each case type.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – Auto wrecks often lead to devastating injuries for victims. When a negligent driver has caused your collision, you have every right to seek damages. Vehicle wrecks frequently lead to injury claims, and your attorney will ensure that you get compensated for all your injuries and losses, whether your crash involved a car, motorcycle, or commercial truck.
• Product Liability – The manufacturers of the products we use every day are held to very strict standards. They must design, create, and label products in such a way that they are safe for public use. If the design, manufacturing, or labeling led to your injuries, you can file an injury claim against the manufacturer.
• Premises Liability – Homeowners and business owners are required to make their properties safe for guests, customers, and visitors. If a property owner fails to create a safe environment and someone is harmed because of a hazard on that property, the negligent property owner can be held accountable.
• Medical Negligence – Doctors are required to adhere to a high standard of care for their patients. When they fail to provide quality medical care and you’re injured as a result, you can hold them liable. These cases are difficult, but not impossible, to prove. You need an injury lawyer to assist you with proving and winning a medical malpractice case.
• Sexual Abuse – If you, or someone you love, have been sexually abused, you can file a civil case against your abuser or others responsible for the abuse. Sometimes more than one party may be to blame. For instance, if you were sexually assaulted at work, your employer might be liable for not providing a safe work environment.
• Elder Abuse – Vulnerable adults are often mistreated and abused because they don’t have the power to stand up for themselves. If someone has harmed you or someone you love, you can file a claim against the abuser. If the abuse occurred in the setting of a nursing home, the facility might also be liable for the abuse and losses.

Determining Fault for Your Injury Accident

When you file an injury claim, you are asserting that someone has harmed you and that he or she owes you damages for that harm. But how can you really be sure who was at fault for your accident? In some cases, the fault will be extremely obvious and easy to prove.

For example, if you were sitting in a parked car and a driver came along and hit you, chances are that it was the other driver’s fault. Not all cases are this clear-cut and easy to prove, however. In fact, most cases aren’t. In order to determine who is liable for your accident, you will have to investigate.

Investigations for an accident are pretty much the same as in a criminal case. You examine the accident scene, gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and collect any other information that pertains to your case. You will also gather medical evidence to prove your injuries and related expenses.

If you’ve been seriously injured, investigating and proving your injury case will be extremely difficult on your own. No one actually expects you to get your voice recorder out and question witnesses, however.

Your Chicago personal injury lawyer from Lane & Lane, LLC will assist you with the entire investigation process, as well as with the entire personal injury process from start to finish. Below is a list of evidence types that might be needed to prove your personal injury claim:

• Witness statements
• Expert witness testimony, such as medical experts or accident scene investigators
• Police reports
• Video footage and photos of the accident scene and your injuries
• Physical evidence pertaining to your claim
• Medical evidence of your injuries, including doctor statements
• Medical history

What Will Your Chicago Personal Injury Attorney Do?

Remember, you’re hiring a personal injury lawyer for a reason: to assist you with your case. Your lawyer will do a lot more than just investigate your case. He or she will also perform the following tasks:

• File your personal injury claim paperwork
• Answer all your questions and concerns
• Walk you through the entire claims process
• Help you document your medical injuries and related losses
• Build a convincing case that shows fault, why you deserve to receive damages, and how much your damages amount to
• Present your case to an insurance company and negotiate the best settlement possible
• Take your case to court if necessary

Filing a personal injury claim on your own is not in your best interests. You deserve to receive maximum compensation for the suffering and financial losses you’ve been forced to endure because of another’s negligence. You need to concentrate on your physical and emotional wellbeing—not worry about winning your claim.

Your injury attorney will do everything possible to see that your case reaches the positive outcome you’re hoping for, otherwise your lawyer will take your case to court in order to fight for you and the compensation you rightfully deserve.

The Insurance Company Doesn’t Want to Pay

Many people don’t realize that when you sue someone, it’s usually the insurance company that will be paying the bill. Unless you’re suing a person that is enormously wealthy, you simply won’t get the money you need by suing an individual. In most cases, it’s an insurance company that pays out on negligence claims.

Consider a car accident. Even though it was the driver that was to blame for hurting you, the driver’s insurance company is who will be paying for your losses. That is what insurance is for: to protect people from financial liability after they’ve caused damage or injury.

Even though we all understand the purpose of insurance coverage, we also must understand that insurance companies are private businesses. These are not non-profit groups dedicated to helping people. These are smart, savvy companies that want to turn a significant profit. Insurance is big business.

What that means for you is that you can’t simply make a request for a settlement and expect to receive your money without question. The insurance companies will question every part of your claim. If they can get out of paying, they will, so you must be careful when dealing with insurance companies.

Many insurers have methods that assist them in avoiding financial responsibility. One method is to lower your claim’s value. For example, an insurance company may try to record a statement over the phone, hoping you’ll slip up and admit fault so that they can pay you less in compensation.

Be very careful when you speak with insurers—or better yet, have your personal injury lawyer in Chicago talk with them on your behalf. That way, you won’t have to worry about accidentally saying the wrong thing and getting less compensation as a result. Here are a few additional tactics to watch out for so that you don’t lose or harm your case:

• A quick low settlement offer designed to get you to agree quickly and save the insurer money down the road
• Insurance adjusters who try to bully you into accepting a low offer or threaten to take your case to court, hoping you’ll be too scared to fight them
• Insurance adjusters who will drag out the claims process because they know you need the money as soon as possible
• Adjusters who try to get you to accept blame so that they can pay you a lower settlement amount

Serious Injuries Lead to Serious Losses

If you’ve been in an accident, it’s possible that you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury. These types of injuries go far beyond a few bumps and bruises. With serious injuries, your entire life will be changed by the accident, and you will likely need financial help.

In order to prepare for the future, filing a Chicago personal injury claim is the only way to receive enough financial security to live with an injury of this magnitude. See below for a list of serious injuries that will require serious compensation:

• Spinal Damage – Spinal damage can cause significant losses, both physically and emotionally. If you suffer a serious spinal injury, you may be permanently paralyzed. Depending on the seriousness of your spinal cord damage, you may be unable to walk or even return to work. This limited mobility can change your life.
• Broken Bones – Some broken bone injuries are relatively minor, which means that your damages could be manageable. Some broken bones are very serious and could cause health and mobility problems for years. You may never fully heal, and the pain of a broken bone injury is severe.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) – Head injuries are extremely serious and can alter every aspect of your life. These types of injuries can affect your memory, cognition, personality, mood, and behavior. If serious enough, a head injury can keep you from working and change your entire outlook on life.
• Severe Burn Injuries – Burn injuries are far more than superficial surface wounds. They can negatively affect your nerves and tissue, causing lack of feeling and function. Additionally, burn injuries can cause permanent disfigurement and scarring, which could create emotional issues for you.
• Internal Injuries – Internal injuries can seriously affect major body functions and vital organs. If you’ve suffered this type of injury, you may never fully recover the health you had before the accident. You will need compensation to live with a serious injury that has permanently damaged your organs.
• Loss of Limb – The loss of a limb is a very traumatic injury, not to mention painful. The pain and suffering of this kind of injury could take years to overcome. In addition, the mental trauma after an amputation can be too much to bear. You will need physical therapy and possibly mental health services.

All of these injuries are different, and they will affect everyone differently, but the one thing they have in common is that they will lead to extensive monetary losses.

Each injury in the above list will require months—if not years—of medical treatment. You may not be able to work for a time, and in some cases, you may not be able to work ever again. Compensation will be necessary for you to regain a good quality of life.

Monetary Compensation for Your Chicago Personal Injury Claim

When you file a personal injury claim, your goal is to receive compensation that will cover your monetary losses. Depending on how serious your injuries are, your monetary losses could be relatively small, or they could be quite large.

For instance, if you were hurt in a slip-and-fall accident at a store and you broke your arm, you will likely have some medical expenses, missed time from work, and some pain and suffering. However, this would not be that difficult to calculate as you will eventually recover and be able to return to work.

But what if your injury is extremely serious, or even permanent? How do you go about calculating your losses for an injury that has changed your life forever? It isn’t an easy thing to do, and most likely your lawyer will need to assist you with calculating your losses, both your economic losses and your non-economic losses.

Economic losses are the monetary damages you’ve sustained. Non-economic losses concern the way that your accident and related injuries have affected your life. Let’s examine the possible damages for a serious injury.

If you receive a traumatic brain injury, you may be permanently injured. Your cognition, personality, memory, and behavior could be affected by your injury. You may never be able to return to work again, which means that you will need compensation to replace the income you’ve lost.

The above doesn’t even include the medical care, rehabilitation, and mental trauma this injury will cause in your life.

Determining your compensation is one of the most difficult aspects of your case. Your Chicago personal injury attorney will be needed to assist in calculating the fair settlement you deserve for your losses.

See the list below to get a better idea of the different damages you can request in an injury claim:

• Pain and suffering damages
• Medical care, including medications, hospital visits, copays, surgeries, expensive treatments
• Missed income and loss of future income
• Permanent disability
• Permanent injury, scarring, or disfigurement
• Mental trauma
• Physical rehabilitation and mental health services
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Get in Touch with a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer

You’ve suffered enough at the hands of a careless person; you shouldn’t have to suffer any further. Filing an injury claim may be the answer to getting the financial compensation you deserve. When you file a claim, you can expect to recover all your losses, both monetary and non-monetary. The claims process isn’t easy, however.

Getting help with your injury claim is the best decision you can make. You need the experience of a personal injury attorney to assist you in investigating your wreck, collecting evidence, proving fault, and arguing your case with an insurance company or in court. No law says that you have to do this on your own.

Partner with a Chicago personal injury lawyer to see the positive claim results you’re after. You deserve to receive the maximum available compensation for your case. You focus on healing and putting your life together. Our firm will focus on getting you paid. Call Lane & Lane, LLC for a free case review at 312-332-1400, or simply complete the form below.

Chicago Personal Injury FAQ

Filing a personal injury claim in Chicago or anywhere else in Illinois isn’t something that most people do on a daily basis. Consequently, you’re bound to have a number of questions. Fortunately, the personal injury attorneys at Lane & Lane, LLC are happy to answer all your questions during a free initial consultation.

We can help you to determine the viability of your claim and what you can reasonably expect to obtain in compensation. To speak with an attorney today, call 312-332-1400.

In the meantime, feel free to read through our commonly asked questions that can help you get a better grasp on the personal injury claims process. When you contact our law firm, we’ll be able to give you more specific answers directly pertaining to your case.

What are some of the most common personal injury case types?

Accidents can happen without notice, and they can happen anywhere, but there are some ways that different types of accidents are classified, as the case law is unique for each accident type.

For instance, car accident claims are handled in a different manner than medical malpractice cases. Some of the most common accident types are as follows:

• Auto Wrecks – Vehicle wrecks are a common reason people file personal injury claims in Illinois. Auto accidents can lead to extensive injuries and damages, and filing a claim can help you recover compensation for the losses you’ve sustained because of a negligent driver.
• Premises Liability – when you’re on someone else’s property, you expect to be safe. If a property owner fails to maintain safe premises or fails to warn you of a hazard on the property, then you can hold that property owner accountable for any injuries and losses you’ve experienced as a result.
• Construction Accidents – Construction zones are dangerous areas, and workers or bystanders can be hurt. If negligence was found to have played a role in the accident, then an injured party deserves compensation for all the financial expenses and pain and suffering this experience has caused.
• Medical Negligence – Doctors are responsible for their actions, and if it’s found that a doctor provided you with substandard care leading to poor health or injury, it’s within your rights to file a medical malpractice claim against the healthcare practitioner.
• Dangerous Products – Unsafe products often lead to injuries, and you can hold a negligent manufacturer accountable for the way a dangerous product has harmed you. Your claim can also protect other consumers from being harmed by the same product you were.
• Work-Related Accidents – Some work accidents do qualify to file a personal injury claim. If you suffered at the hands of a careless employer or a third-party vendor, seeking compensation is something you have every right to do.

What are some common types of injuries that lead to extensive damages?

The injury you sustained in your accident does matter, especially with regard to how much compensation you can receive. Very serious injuries lead to very serious losses, both financial and non-financial. Here are a few injuries deemed serious, which will result in higher damages for you:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) – Head injuries can lead to brain damage affecting every aspect of your life, including lifelong issues with cognition, memory, mood, and coordination. Even your personality can change after a serious brain injury.
• Amputation – Amputations are traumatic injuries, and the pain and anguish this type of injury will cause you and your family will be great. Loss of limb can result in mobility issues for life and permanent disability.
• Severe Burns – Burn injuries can be very serious, affecting nerves, tissue, and major bodily functions. Burn injuries can also causes significant scarring and disfigurement, which can lead to depression and other mental health issues.
• Internal Organ Damage – Accidents can affect your body in many ways, but organ damage is among the worst injuries you can receive. Depending on the extent of your internal injuries, your health could be forever altered.
• Broken Bones and Fractures – Broken bone injuries can be excruciatingly painful and take a very long time to heal. In some cases, a broken bone injury may never properly heal, leading to issues with mobility and ability to work.
• Spinal Cord Damage – Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or total paralysis. This type of injury may make it necessary for you to retain caregivers for the rest of your life, or you may have to alter your home to accommodate a wheelchair.

What is negligence in Illinois?

“Negligence” is the legal concept that all people are liable for the harm they do to others. If you can prove that another person’s behavior or actions caused your injuries and losses, then you can file a civil claim to recover damages. Most people file a claim to recover damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses pertaining to an accident.

How is fault determined in an injury-causing accident?

A very important part of an injury claim is discovering who was at-fault for the accident. You can only pursue civil damages if you can show that the person was negligent. To prove fault, you will need to gather all evidence that shows negligence.

That includes witness statements, video or photographic evidence, physical evidence, or police reports. Once your accident is analyzed and investigated, the fault will be proven only by putting together your case using the evidence gathered.

How do you win a personal injury claim?

To win a personal injury case, you must prove that you were injured because of another person’s negligence, and you must show that you sustained damages as a result of your injury.

For instance, it’s not enough to simply show that a car hit you while you were walking down the sidewalk—you must show that you were harmed in the process (some people have been struck by a car and not been hurt at all).

Again, evidence will show negligence, and you will need to gather proof of your damages. Your proof could be things like medical records and bills, transportation expenses, property damage, and cost of mental health treatment and physical therapy, as well as showing records of how this experience has impacted your life in a non-economic way.

If an insurance company calls me, what should I tell them?

Insurance companies will call you, and it’s best to say as little as possible. You can give them basic information, but you should probably not discuss the accident without talking to an attorney first. In most cases, you will want your Chicago personal injury lawyer to speak with the involved insurance companies on your behalf. This is best for your case.

If you talk to them, you could end up harming your claim accidentally. Insurance adjusters can be tricky, and they will try to get you to admit to some portion of the blame because they know that they can lower the settlement amount if they can prove that you were partially at fault for the accident.

Insurers have many tactics for lowering the value of an accident victim’s claim. They might try to offer you a fast and low settlement hoping that you’ll jump at the first offer to avoid the hassle of negotiations; they might try to bully you into accepting a settlement amount; they might threaten to take your claim to court.

Having your personal injury lawyer handle insurance negotiations is usually in your best interests.

Can I receive compensation for mental trauma and mental health services?

Yes, you can. If you’ve suffered mentally as a result of your accident, you can add mental anguish and related expenses to your injury claim. The cost of mental health services can add up quickly, and you should be compensated for the negative effects of an accident you weren’t responsible for.

Non-economic damages can actually be worse than financial losses could ever be. You could be dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following your accident, or you may be dealing with depression and anxiety pertaining to your injury.  In some cases, mental suffering can linger far longer than physical pain and financial losses.

What if I’ve sustained a permanent injury in my accident?

If you’ve sustained a permanent injury, you may be entitled to a large sum of damages. Permanent injuries can affect your life forever, in some cases preventing you from returning to work or enjoying your life in the manner you once did.

You may need to seek compensation that will provide financially for your future, as well as pay for all the life changes you’ll now be forced to deal with.

What are economic damages in a personal injury claim?

The legal words “economic damages” refer to the financial impact your accident and injury has caused to your life. Financial damages will vary greatly from case to case.

Some common financial losses include medical expenses (hospital stays, copays, medications, surgeries, physical therapy costs, etc.), caregiver expenses, loss of income, property damage, costs of accommodations to your home, transportation expenses, and mental health treatment costs, just to name a few examples.

What are non-economic damages?

Non-economic damages are the ways that your accident and injuries have negatively impacted your life. These types of damages are awarded for things like the pain and suffering your injuries have caused you.

Other non-economic damages are mental trauma caused by the accident, loss of your enjoyment of life, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and how your injury will affect your future.

What are punitive damages in personal injury claims?

Punitive damages are different from economic and non-economic damages because their purpose is not to compensate the victim, but rather to punish the liable party. The main intent is to prevent the person from ever again engaging in whatever behavior harmed you in the first place.

Punitive damages can be paid to the accident victim if the court decides that’s where the awarded money should go.

Could more than one party be responsible for my accident and injuries?

Yes, multiple parties can be responsible for an accident and for the victim’s damages. For example, if you were hurt in a vehicle crash that was caused by a drowsy truck driver, both the trucker and the trucker’s employer could be liable.

Additionally, if other factors also played a role in the trucking collision, such as a dangerous pothole in the road, then you could also sue the government for failing to maintain safe roads. Depending on your situation, there could be many liable parties. Naming them all in your injury claim will increase your chances of receiving full compensation.

Can I file a personal injury claim on behalf of a minor?

Yes, you can file an injury case on behalf of a child or teen under the age of eighteen. Children are entitled to similar damages as adults, but they may also be entitled to damages pertaining to any detrimental impact to their growth and development.

Why do insurance companies often refuse to pay out on personal injury claims?

Insurance companies sometimes refuse to pay out on claims—there are a few different reasons why they do this. One reason is that they legitimately don’t believe your claim is valid. However, the most likely reason is that they don’t want to pay out on claims because they lose money when they do so. Insurance companies are in business; they are not nonprofit organizations.

They will refuse to pay a claim if they believe they can get away with it. That’s why it’s so important to have as much strong evidence as you can get—and to retain a personal injury attorney. You will need to prove to the insurance company that if you took your claim to court you’d win. If they believe that, then they will settle your case for a reasonable amount.

What happens if an insurance company won’t settle my claim?

If an insurance company won’t settle your claim fairly then you have the option of taking your claim to court. First of all, understand that most claims settle, so the likelihood of going to court is slim. Still, it’s always a possibility. If your Chicago personal injury lawyer believes in your case, however, then you really have nothing to worry about.

Your lawyer is not afraid to take your case to court if necessary and will fight to see that you get the monetary compensation you deserve for the injuries you’ve sustained. If your case goes to court, then it will be presented before a judge and jury and your damages will be decided after the court has examined your case.

Will I have to testify in court if my claim goes to trial?

It’s possible. If your case does go to court, it is likely that you will need to testify as to your version of events; after all, the accident happened to you. You will almost certainly not be the only witness, however, so you shouldn’t let this bother you. Additionally, your injury lawyer will prepare you for testifying so that you’ll be ready when your time on the stand comes.

Your lawyer will also be presenting all the available evidence in your case, such as medical evidence of your injuries and how your injuries have changed your life. Also, many times that a trial is scheduled for a personal injury claim the insurance company will settle right before trial. They use the prospect of trial to scare you, hoping you’ll back off or accept a lesser settlement amount.

What happens if I was partly to blame for the accident that injured me?

When you’re involved in an accident, things aren’t always black-and-white. Not every accident is 100 percent the fault of the other party. Sometimes you might be partly to blame for your accident and subsequent injuries. In Illinois, your fault will not keep you from filing a personal injury claim as long as your percentage of fault was not greater than 50 percent.

As long as you can show that another party was mostly responsible for what happened, you can still seek damages from that party. That being said, your damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault that rests with you.

For instance, if you were walking down the street and fell into an unmarked open manhole, you could be partially to blame if you were texting while walking down the street instead of paying attention to your surroundings.

The court may decide that you were 10 percent at fault for your injuries because another person who was being reasonably careful wouldn’t have fallen down the manhole. If the court decides to award you $10,000 for your accident injuries, your claim will be reduced by $1,000 because of the fault that the court assigned to you.

What types of damages are most commonly awarded in personal injury claims?

The amount and types of damages that you will receive for your claim will depend on the seriousness of your injuries and losses. Some injury cases will have very few losses, such as small medical bills, minor property damage, and some compensation for lost income. Other cases will have much greater losses.

For instance, if you suffer a spinal cord injury, your damages could be extensive. You could be looking at missed wages for a long time, if not forever. You may be facing significant pain and mental anguish from a serious injury. You could also be compensated for the fact that your injury is permanent, drastically reducing your life enjoyment.

If you can demonstrate your damages, then chances are that you can be compensated for them. Here’s a look at the most common damages requested in personal injury claims:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of income and permanent disability payments
• Mental trauma and mental health services
• All related medical treatment
• Loss of life enjoyment
• Caregiver costs
• Property loss
• Cost of household services

What if I don’t have the money to pay a Chicago personal injury attorney?

Many people put off filing an injury claim for far too long, or they don’t file a claim at all, simply because they believe they can’t afford to hire an injury attorney. This is unfortunate because at Lane & Lane, LLC, we have injury lawyers who will work on your case on a contingency fee basis.

What that means for you is that you don’t pay your attorney until after a settlement has been won for you! That’s right. Your lawyer will handle filing fees and will front all the costs of your claim, only taking those fees out after you’ve obtained the fair compensation you deserve.

In addition, in most cases, lawyers from our firm can secure a higher settlement than you could ever secure for yourself. That means your attorney’s fees are paying for themselves!

What does my lawyer do for me during the personal injury claim process?

When you’re deciding whether to hire a Chicago injury lawyer or file a claim on your own, you may be wondering what your lawyer actually does for you. Your attorney does a great many things that would be very difficult for the average person to accomplish on his or her own.

For starters, your attorney will investigate your case to the fullest to identify all at-fault parties and potential sources of compensation. Next, it will be necessary to gather all available evidence, which could include interviewing witnesses, hiring accident scene investigators, collecting medical documentation, and much more.

Your lawyer will file all the legal paperwork, ensuring that it’s all correct and accurate. Incorrect paperwork could greatly slow down the claims process, or it could lead to your claim being rejected or thrown out.

Your lawyer will walk you through the entire claims process from start to finish, answering any questions that you have about your case. Once your personal injury lawyer has finished putting together a compelling case, he or she will negotiate the fair settlement you require for your injuries.

Should the insurance companies fail to offer you a settlement that you’re happy with, it will be up to your attorney to take your case to court.

Why should I work with Lane & Lane, LLC?

You should work with our Chicago personal injury law firm because we have experience winning accident victims the compensation they rightly deserve. We will throw everything we’ve got at your case to ensure that the wrong that happened to you does not go without compensation. Get in touch with a lawyer with our firm to discuss your claim today.