What to Expect During the Personal Injury Claim Process
Choosing to pursue a personal injury claim can be difficult. No one wants to seem greedy or overreact, but suffering an injury at the hands of someone else can leave you facing emotional, medical, and financial hardships. If someone else’s negligence has left you injured, you need the support of a skilled Chicago personal injury lawyer from Taxman, Polluck, Murray, and Bekkerman.
Documenting the Incident and Injury
Documentation is the first step in building a strong and successful personal injury case, and it can come in many forms. In most cases, it is beneficial to take photos immediately after the incident. This includes the scene of the incident, the surrounding areas, and any injuries at the scene.
It is wise to seek immediate medical attention for any injuries you have or to undergo an evaluation in case they are hidden or latent. This further establishes documentation of your injuries.
Gathering Evidence
Once you involve a personal injury attorney or an insurance company, they will begin investigating the circumstances of the situation. They will gather evidence such as photos from the scene, police reports, text messages, and review witness statements.
At this time, they will likely request your medical records and any documentation you have saved. They may also provide you with referrals to the appropriate specialists to ensure you have the most accurate and appropriate medical evaluation.
Negotiations
Once your Chicago injury lawyer and the insurance companies have thoroughly investigated the circumstances of your accident, negotiations begin. Many personal injury cases settle outside of court to save time and costs associated with taking a case to trial. The initial offer from the other party is likely to be the lowest offer they think they can get away with, and your personal injury attorney will likely advise you to refuse it.
The negotiation process can be lengthy, taking much of the 2-year statute of limitations allowed in Illinois.
Litigating a Personal Injury Case
If you are unable to agree on fair settlement terms, you may choose to pursue your case through the courts to allow a judge to decide. This course of action can be a risk for all parties, resulting in an award far more than what you may have otherwise requested, or losing the case entirely, rather than recovering what the insurance company would have offered.
Your Chicago personal injury attorney will begin formally requesting, gathering, and sharing evidence during the discovery process. You may attend deposition hearings to provide and gather additional information.
Finally, you will take the case before the judge, where each side will present its argument for the judge to decide. You may continue negotiating with the insurance company until the closing arguments and verdict.
Outcomes in a Personal Injury Case
The goal of pursuing a personal injury case is to recover the monetary compensation necessary to recover your losses and help you get back to functioning as normally as possible. With a strong case and a dedicated attorney, you may recover losses from medical costs, lost wages, or pain and suffering.
The compensation you recover is dependent on the details of your case, but a personal injury lawyer in Chicago can help you understand your options and manage your expectations.
If you’ve been injured and have questions about what to expect during your personal injury claim, contact a Chicago personal injury attorney at Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman for guidance.