If you were hurt by another person’s action or recklessness in Illinois, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. In most situations, claimants usually need to file a claim with the other party’s insurer and recover a settlement. However, when insurance compensation is unlikely to cover your losses, you may still have to file a lawsuit. Regardless of the circumstances, hiring an Illinois personal injury attorney is imperative, and here are some essential pointers to follow.
- Act immediately: Matters like accidents are time-sensitive. You need to act soon to gather evidence, find witnesses, and work on building the case strategy. If you want to engage an attorney, it is always prudent to do so immediately. Your lawyer will also have the time to work on the case.
- Ask for a free session: Law firms in Illinois usually don’t demand an upfront consultation fee when reviewing injury claims. You can always ask to meet the lawyer in person and see if you like their attitude and whether they offer the attention and time that your case demands.
- Check the contingency fee: For injury claims, lawyers take a share of the final compensation rather than an hourly rate. The contingency arrangement is typical, but the percentage may vary between 25% and 50%. Ensure you understand the fee structure and other expenses that you may have to incur.
- Look at feedback: Other customers and clients may have posted feedback about the selected law firm on social media and other sites. Check whether the lawyer has positive reviews and whether some of the negative comments are similar in nature.
- Know their approach: How does the attorney plan to approach your claim? Will they do a full investigation? If yes, do they intend to hire experts? What other steps would they take to protect your claim? Will they advise you on the things to do and avoid? As a client, ask as many questions as possible to know the lawyer’s ethics.
Final word
It takes significant work for an attorney to recover a settlement for a personal injury claim. As there is a contingency fee, lawyers will only proceed when the case has significant strength. At the least, you deserve to know whether the case has merit and what you can expect in compensation. They will also do the necessary paperwork and keep up with timelines to ensure all due formalities are done without delay.
