Questions to Ask a Personal Injury Lawyer in Chicago in Chicago, IL
If you’ve been injured in an accident and you’re considering filing a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party, you’ll likely have legal questions associated with your case. Getting these questions answered can be essential if you want to feel confident moving forward in the legal process. Committing to a lawsuit can be difficult if you have unaddressed concerns.
Many law firms in Chicago offer free consultations for potential clients so that clients can gain knowledge before feeling pressure to hire. A Chicago personal injury lawyer can assess the details of your case and give you specific guidance, but in the meantime, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions below.
What if I Was Partially at Fault for Causing My Accident?
The state of Illinois has a modified comparative negligence law in place, which means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for causing your accident, as long as you were less than 50 percent at fault. The court will calculate your percentage of fault and then deduct this percentage of fault from your overall settlement.
For example, if you were 30 percent at fault for your accident and your damages are valued at $80,000, then you’ll ultimately receive $56,000.
Is There a Time Limit on Filing My Claim?
Yes. The statute of limitations in Illinois for personal injury claims is two years, which means you’ll have two years from when your accident occurred to file a claim and recover compensation. If you wait until the two-year mark has passed, the court won’t hear your case and you won’t receive compensation for your damages.
Do I Have to Go to Court to Win a Settlement?
You can try to recover a settlement by speaking to your insurance company about your accident, although insurance companies often won’t offer you the full amount of money you deserve because they have their own financial interests in mind.
If you take legal action, it’s important to know that most personal injury claims go to pretrial mediation. Your attorney will work hard to settle your case in mediation so you can avoid court.
If the defendant refuses to settle for the amount you deserve in mediation, however, going to court may be necessary. You shouldn’t be afraid to go to court because your legal team will support you and negotiate on your behalf.
How Much Is My Claim Worth?
The worth of your claim can be calculated by accounting for all your economic and non-economic damages. It’s essential to know your claim’s worth before pursuing a lawsuit so you can know what you deserve and what to fight for.
Having an experienced attorney by your side as you navigate the legal process can make handling your claim easier. An attorney can answer questions you have and negotiate on your behalf while you focus on recovery. Most importantly, your lawyer can be your confidante while also dominating the defense.
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