Have you suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct? If so, you may have the legal right to hold that party or parties responsible for your injuries and losses.
There is no question that suffering a serious personal injury is one of the most stressful situations in your life. While dealing with the pain and suffering of the injury itself, you may also be unable to work and/or unable to perform your activities of daily living. At the same time, you may be required to seek medical care from multiple doctors and other medical providers, you may have substantial medical bills accumulating, and you may also be dealing with the hassles of car repairs or replacement. The last thing that you need at this time is to take on the substantial burden of trying to handle your own legal case without the knowledge or expertise to do so.
Retaining an experienced and effective personal injury attorney is critical for the success of your case and to ensure that you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses. At Drake & Collopy, P.C., our legal team is dedicated to helping you through this difficult time period and to build a strong case from day one. Our attorneys will help you navigate the many challenges that personal injury victims face while giving you the peace of mind that your legal case is in good hands. As a client, you will have a team of experienced injury attorneys working diligently and aggressively on your behalf. Our ultimate goal is to secure the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries and your future. The first step is to get in touch with us to discuss your situation so we can get to work for you.
Hiring An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Is Critical
Studies have shown that injury victims who hire a personal injury lawyer receive substantially greater compensation than those who try to go it alone. Personal injury claims and lawsuits are complex. The laws are designed to help ensure you receive full and fair compensation; however, unless your case is handled properly from day one, a successful outcome is very unlikely.
The only objective of insurance companies is to minimize the amount they pay on claims, and they have teams of attorneys and experts as well as substantial financial resources to fight your claim. Unfortunately, some people attempt to handle their own personal injury case and deal directly with the responsible insurance company. Frequently, by the time an issue arises and they decide to reach out to a personal injury attorney, the case has been irreparably damaged. Not to worry, however; our experienced legal team is here to help.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations In Illinois Personal Injury Cases
In Illinois (like all states), you must file your legal claim within a certain time period, called the statute of limitations, after being involved in an accident or sustaining injuries. The amount of time you have to file depends on the type of claim you have. In most cases, your personal injury claim must be filed within two years of the accident or the injury victim’s death. If the accident involves a claim against a local or state government agency, you have just one year to file your accident claim. There are situations where the statute of limitations may be extended, however. If you fail to file a claim within the applicable statute of limitations period, you will lose your ability to receive compensation under the law.
Although the statute of limitations is two years in most personal injury cases, you should not wait or delay contacting an experienced injury attorney after being involved in an accident. It is critical that evidence is gathered promptly and that the case is handled properly from day one. Therefore, it is important to contact us as soon as possible after being involved in an accident or suffering an injury.
How Our Team of Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help with Your Case
When you retain our law firm to handle your personal injury case, you can count on us to do the following:
- Conduct a complete and thorough investigation of your accident to establish how your injury occurred and who should be held responsible for the injuries you suffered.
- Retain experts from various fields as necessary, including medical experts, engineers, accident reconstructionists, vocational experts, economics experts, and life care planners.
- Investigate all potential defendants, insurance policies, and avenues of recovery.
- Give you access to our network of physicians, specialists, and other medical providers who can provide medical treatment for your injuries.
- Evaluate your medical records and other relevant records to identify any issues relating to causation or the nature and extent of your injuries.
- Handle all communications and negotiations with the responsible insurance companies.
- Ensure that all documents are filed properly and on time with the appropriate entities.
- Prepare and present a persuasive case in court, at arbitration, or in mediation.
- Negotiate and resolve any health care liens and other liens related to your case.
Reports and Testimony from Expert Witnesses
In many situations, expert witnesses are necessary to either establish liability on the part of the defendant or to prove the nature and extent of the injuries and damages suffered. They are especially necessary in more complicated liability situations and cases involving permanent or life-altering injuries. We can secure the expert witnesses needed to support your case to ensure you recover full and fair compensation.
With our experienced personal injury lawyers working on your behalf, you can focus on your recovery while we focus on the legal case and ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
FAQs About Chicago Personal Injury Claims
Some additional frequently asked questions are addressed below.
How much money do I need to hire a personal injury attorney?
None. Our fees are contingent on your recovery and are paid directly from the settlement that you receive in your case. The fee is paid at the end of the case and only if you receive compensation. It is based on a percentage of the amount recovered. We do not get paid unless and until you do, and you never have to worry about paying for our services out-of-pocket.
What if I am partially at fault in causing the accident?
Even though your negligence may have partially led to an accident, it may still be possible for you to recover damages. The amount that you can recover depends on your percentage of fault.
Based on Illinois’s modified comparative negligence law, it is possible to recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault for the accident and the injuries you suffered. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Who will cover my medical costs after experiencing injuries?
Even though another party caused your injuries, you are responsible to pay your own medical bills after receiving treatment. If you have health insurance, it is generally best to use it for accident related treatment. Although you are legally responsible for your own medical bills, you can receive compensation for all reasonable, necessary, and related medical expenses as part of a settlement agreement or award.
If you do not have health insurance or if you have a high deductible, you may not have the ability to pay your medical bills until your case is settled. However, this may result in your medical bills going to a collection agency, which can damage your credit rating. Therefore, it is not an ideal situation. However, we can assist you in finding doctors and medical providers who will wait for payment until the case is concluded.
Am I required to go to court in a personal injury claim?
Most personal injury cases are able to be settled out of court. However, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit and go to court in some cases. It is impossible to know ahead of time whether your case will need to be filed in court, but you can feel confident that our team will represent you aggressively in either situation.
How long will I have to wait to receive compensation for your personal injury claim?
There are many factors that impact how long you must wait to receive compensation for your injuries if your personal injury claim is successful. Some claims can be settled in just a few months after your medical treatment is completed. However, others may take years because the case must be litigated in court and ultimately must go to trial. Our goal is to bring each case to conclusion as quickly as possible without cutting corners or sacrificing the strength of the case. Unfortunately, there is no way to give a specific timeframe for your individual case. However, we can review the facts of your case and advise you what the typical timeframe is for cases similar to yours.
Hiring Drake & Collopy, P.C. to Handle Your Personal Injury Case
At Drake & Collopy, P.C., we understand the enormous impact an accident and injury can have on your life. Our team of experienced attorneys is dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
We understand that each case and each client is unique. We give personal attention to each case and client to ensure the best outcome and client experience. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or wrongful conduct, we encourage you to reach out to us today. Our team will review the facts of your case and get started on building a strong case right away. We are your partner in recovery and will fight aggressively on your behalf.
