Driving a car or being a passenger within a car is a daily experience for most people. Yet as common as driving is, car accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in Illinois, Wisconsin, and throughout the Country. If you have been in a car accident, you may be wondering whether you need an attorney. At Claim Your Justice, we are happy to review your case free of charge and provide you with a recommendation on the value of your case.
As you read the following, keep in mind that our lawyers are available to serve you and that even in minor car accidents, at least consulting with a lawyer is usually in your best interests.
Whether or not you need an attorney to represent you during your car accident claim depends on whether you want to maximize your recovery. Working with an attorney in a serious crash can improve the outcome of your case. Consider the following factors and call Claim Your Justice with any questions you might have.
When thinking about whether you should hire an attorney, it’s important to know what an attorney does. The following outlines some of the basic jobs of a car accident attorney when representing a client after a crash.
Our lawyers receive many questions about the car accident claims process and the role of an attorney. Consider the following answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we hear.
Pain and suffering damages are damages for the physical and emotional distress caused by an injury and are a form of non-economic damages. Pain and suffering damages are not capped in Illinois, which means that you can seek maximum compensation for your pain and suffering. How much you will recover for pain and suffering damages depends on the extent of your injuries and for how long you are expected to experience pain and suffering.
There are multiple types of evidence that can be used to establish pain and suffering. In addition to photographs of your injuries, a personal journal detailing how you have been impacted, testimony from friends and family who can speak to your life before and after the accident, and current medical documents, the testimonies of experts can be especially valuable.
For example, medical professionals may be called upon who can offer an opinion about your injuries and for how long your injuries are expected to last and how they may impact you into the future, as can psychological/mental health professionals.
How much pain and suffering are worth varies on a case-by-case basis. If a person is totally disabled by their injuries and will never be able to regain the same level of mobility or quality of life they had before the accident, their noneconomic damages will likely be valued higher than someone who is only partially disabled temporarily and whose injuries are expected to heal in full.
There are different methods for calculating pain and suffering. Using the per diem method, a monetary value is assigned per day, and then that number is multiplied by the number of days for which the individual is expected to experience pain and suffering. There is also the multiplier method, which involves assigning a number 1-5, and then multiplying that number by the economic damages suffered.
A higher number on the 1-5 scale is based on the nature of the injuries, disfigurement, and disability, psychological trauma, for how long injuries are expected to last, and more. At Claim Your Justice we use the method that will maximize your recovery.
Just because a settlement offer is made does not mean you have to accept the offer – you can reject it and ask for a better offer, which may go on for months in some cases. With that in mind, note that you only have two years in Illinois and three years in Wisconsin from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit.
If you have more questions about working with a Schaumburg, IL car accident attorney after a car crash, please feel free to call our office directly for a free consultation. We are available to start working on your case immediately.
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We are highly experienced personal injury lawyers. We know how to help accident victims receive the full financial compensation they deserve. Our Winning Team is focused, dedicated, and sensitive to each of our client's needs. We are here to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.