How to Maximize Your Compensation with a Personal Injury Attorney in Chicago
Suffering a personal injury can be devastating, both physically and financially. Medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering can quickly add up, leaving you stranded. Fortunately, the law provides remedies for injury victims in the form of monetary compensation. With an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, you can maximize the compensation you rightfully deserve. This guide will walk you through the process and provide tips for getting the most out of your personal injury claim in Chicago.
Understanding Damages in Personal Injury Cases
There are two main categories of damages in personal injury lawsuits – economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to tangible, documented losses like medical expenses and lost income. Non-economic damages cover intangible losses like pain and suffering. Your attorney will work to prove both and demand full and fair compensation.
The value of a personal injury claim depends on the at-fault party’s liability and the losses you sustain. By maximizing proof for each, you can increase your payout. Your attorney knows what evidence holds best in court and will build the strongest argument for every expense and loss you incur. Don’t hold back details about your health issues, lost time at work or anything else tied to the incident. It all matters.
Hire an Attorney Early On
One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting too long after their accident to contact a personal injury attorney. Evidence can disappear and witnesses forget details, weakening your case. As soon as possible after medical treatment, consult with an experienced lawyer. Investigate options and choose someone who specializes in your type of case. This expertise translates to better outcomes.
In Chicago, personal injury claims generally must be filed within two years of the accident or incident under the statute of limitations. But evidence tends to fade with time, so it’s wise to start planning your legal strategy right away. An attorney can conduct a thorough investigation quickly to lock in all available proof. This lays the groundwork for demanding maximum damages as your case progresses.
Understand How Attorneys Get Paid
Reputable personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay them any money upfront or out-of-pocket. Instead, they take their fee as a percentage of the settlement or court award once your case is resolved. Standard contingency fees are between 33 and 40 percent.
It’s in the best interest of your personal injury attorney Chicago to maximize your payout, because their fee is tied directly to that amount. When evaluating attorneys, ask about their track record recovering damages and look for someone who has a proven process for achieving results. Higher settlements lead to higher contingency fees for lawyers – but also more money in your pocket.
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
One common insurance company tactic is trying to claim victims didn’t take proper steps to mitigate damages by following medical advice. Don’t let gaps in treatment undermine your case. Go to all prescribed appointments and therapy sessions, take medications as directed, and follow your doctor’s recommendations to the letter.
Document all treatment and expenses associated with the incident. Keep notes about how your injuries impact your daily life, like inability to perform household chores or lost enjoyment of favorite activities. The more evidence you have about adhering to medical directives and how the incident negatively affects you, the more leverage your lawyer has when negotiating a settlement.
Be Realistic When Valuing Suffering
No amount of money can undo suffering caused by another’s negligence. But seeking damages is often the only option available to provide some sense of justice. Work with your attorney to put a number on pain in a way that courts and insurance companies will consider reasonable.
Things like missed family events due to hospitalization or losing a limb negatively impact quality of life. But intangible losses are easy to exploit by defense attorneys who want to reduce payouts, so claim only what you can logically justify. An experienced lawyer knows suitable dollar amounts to balance your interests while avoiding the risk of getting less than you deserve.
Consider Structured Settlements
Settlements resolving personal injury claims can be paid out in lump sums or through structured payments over time. While one big check seems appealing initially, there are advantages to getting periodic payments stretching years into the future. With sound advice from your financial planner and attorney, this option deserves strong consideration.
For one thing, it provides financial stability versus trying to make a large sum last indefinitely. It also offers major tax perks, allowing much more of your compensation to go directly toward future medical costs and living expenses versus Uncle Sam. There are too many variables to decide lightly, so it’s critical to discuss pros and cons with professionals you trust.
Pick an Attorney Who Goes to Trial
Insurance companies analyze the attorneys opposing them to gauge how serious settlement negotiations need to be. Lawyers who rarely make it to trial don’t evoke fear or command high damages for clients. On the other hand, attorneys with reputations for litigating cases have substantially more leverage at the bargaining table.
Ask prospective lawyers about their trial record and settlement rate. While most cases do reach resolution before needing court, you want someone who intimidates the defense into making serious offers, not an eager settler happy with moderate payouts. An established litigator adept at presenting evidence in compelling ways knows how to maximize value for injury victims. Leverage this might to claim everything you legally deserve.
Final Words
Suffering any type of personal injury can substantially alter your life physically, emotionally, and financially. While no legal remedy can restore your previous health and sense of well-being, securing fair compensation is essential to help you move forward. With a competent personal injury lawyer Naperville guiding your claim, you can work through the complex legal process efficiently while minimizing stress. Leverage their expertise to maximize damage so you can focus energy on healing and reclaiming your life.