Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

Clients often ask us whether they really need an attorney after a collision. Our answer is that it depends, but almost always “yes.” If you walked away from a minor collision with only property damage, you can typically work with an insurer to repair or replace your car.

If you suffered any injuries in the crash, even those that seem minor at the time of the accident, then it is best to work with an experienced lawyer to pursue compensation. By hiring an experienced lawyer, you increase the likelihood of obtaining the greatest amount possible for your financial recovery.

According to Martindale-Nolo Research’s 2017 Personal Injury Study, which solicited responses from its readers, 91 percent of those injured in an accident who hired a lawyer received a payout. Only 51 percent of those who moved forward without a lawyer received a payout.

Having a lawyer also made a significant difference in the amount of money they obtained. Of those who responded to the survey and hired a lawyer, their average payout was $77,600. For injured individuals who did not hire a lawyer, they walked away with an average $17,600.

You may wonder why there is such a difference. There are many reasons. An attorney is well-versed in determining all of your emotional, financial, and bodily injuries, and then calculating an appropriate amount for those injuries. A lawyer is better at building a case for you, which they can use with the insurance company or in court.

Negotiating instead of accepting the first settlement offer is important. An attorney is prepared to skillfully negotiate a higher amount. Based on the personal injury study, respondents who negotiated their settlement received an average of $42,500, versus those who accepted first offers for an average of $11,800 – or a 260% increase.

Additionally, even when you expect a settlement, filing a lawsuit usually helps. Survey respondents who filed or threatened to file a lawsuit received average settlements of $45,500, versus $23,000 for those who did not. You may not be comfortable threatening to file a lawsuit on your own. However, an attorney is prepared to head to court when necessary.

Experienced personal injury lawyers know how to obtain and maximize settlements. Instead of trying to do everything on your own, let a skilled legal professional handle the legal process for you. This not only improves your chance of receiving the compensation you need to move forward with life, but also gives you the time to focus on your recovery and family. It lets you get back to your life sooner.

There is no need to worry about attorney’s fees. We handle personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis. You do not have to pay us until we win your case. Without a settlement or court verdict in your favor, you do not owe us anything.

Jared Staver and his team have handled car accident claims involving all types of injuries, from whiplash to quadriplegia. Whether you are dealing with moderate injuries and expect to make a full recovery, or you have been seriously injured and may suffer lifetime consequences, we are here to help. We are ready to investigate your case, calculate an appropriate sum for your injuries, and negotiate for the maximum amount of compensation possible.

Though we are prepared to fight for your compensation after you suffer any type of harm, some of the most common injuries include:

Head and Brain Injuries

This includes concussions or more serious traumatic brain injuries (TBI), internal bleeding, skull fractures, and severe lacerations. More information on head and brain injuries.

Neck and Back Injuries

This includes whiplash, herniated discs, spinal cord damage, sprains, and strains. Neck and back injuries may require physical therapy to fully heal and for you to regain your strength. More information on neck and back injuries.

Burn Injuries

Burns can run the spectrum from minor to fatal. Serious burns may require skin grafts and numerous future cosmetic surgeries. They typically result in extensive scarring. More information on burn injuries.

Soft Tissue Injuries

The pain can be significant and lingering when muscles, tendons, or ligaments are stretched or torn in an accident. More information on soft tissue injuries.

Spinal Injuries

When the spinal cord is damaged, you may lose movement and sensation below the injury site. If the spinal cord is fully torn, you may suffer paralysis, loss of bladder and bowel control, and sexual dysfunction. More information on spinal cord injuries.

Broken Bones

Bone fractures and broken bones can be extremely painful, may require surgery to fix, and can take a very long time to heal. You may need to go through physical therapy to regain full range of motion and strength.

You Have a Limited Period of Time to File a Lawsuit

In Illinois, the law gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is known as a statute of limitations. Your time usually begins to run the day you were in the accident and suffered your injuries. This means you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. A significant exception is the discovery rule, which focuses on the date in which you discovered your injuries may be the result of another person’s negligence. Or, it could be that you did not discover you were injured until days, weeks, or months later. In these situations, the clock does not start running until you knew or reasonably should have known you had a legal claim.

You may have a longer period of time to file a personal injury lawsuit based on the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act (SSCRA). If you are on active duty, such as being deployed overseas, this time may not count toward your statute of limitations.

If the negligent driver fled the state after the crash, your time period to file a personal injury case is extended.

Additionally, if you were injured in a car wreck as a minor, you have more time to file a lawsuit when your parent or guardian does not file suit for you. Typically, you have two years from the date of your 18th birthday, which means you have until you are 20 years old to file a lawsuit.

FAQs

Help is nearby. Contact our Chicago car accident lawyers to get started

If you were injured in a car accident, you deserve the best help possible. You deserve to work with an attorney who is acknowledged as being at the top of his field, like Jared Staver. Jared has the highest possible 10 rating on Avvo, which is based on his experience, legal community recognition, awards, thought, leadership, and more.

You will have a dedicated team on your case, putting all of their resources toward helping you recover and obtaining you the maximum amount of compensation possible for your injuries.

Contacting a lawyer after your accident can be intimidating. We strive to make things easy for you. Simply use our online form or call (312) 236-2900 to schedule a free initial consultation.