When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal Injury - March 28, 2024 by Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates
The last thing anybody expects when they go about their regular daily activities is that they will sustain an injury. Unfortunately, there are times when the careless or negligent actions of others cause harm, and this is out of our control.
If you or somebody you care about has been injured as a result of the actions of another individual, business, or entity, then you need to know whether or not seeking a personal injury lawyer in Chicago will help your case. Here, we will discuss when you need to consider hiring a personal injury attorney in these situations.
Calling an Attorney the Day of the Injury
The best time to call an attorney after you have sustained an injury or illness caused by the careless or negligent actions of someone else is the day the incident occurs. The earlier an attorney can get involved in your case, the more likely they will be able to help you reach a successful conclusion for the case.
An attorney will step in quickly so they can gather and preserve all evidence needed to prove liability. The reality is that evidence begins to disappear right after an incident occurs. An attorney can use their extensive resources to gather the following:
- Any photos taken at the scene of the incident
- Video surveillance footage from nearby cameras
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Mobile device data
- Vehicle “black box” data
- Safety and maintenance records of the at-fault party
- …and more
An experienced personal injury lawyer in Illinois will also ensure that their client is evaluated by trusted medical and economic experts. This accomplishes a few goals. First, the well-being of the client is of the utmost importance in these situations. Injury victims need adequate medical care. Additionally, medical and economic professionals can help properly calculate the total expected losses so the attorney can craft a demand letter to send to the insurance carriers involved.
Finally, an attorney will take over all communication with other parties involved in the case. This includes insurance carriers, legal teams for the at-fault party, and more.
Reaching out to an Attorney Later
Even if you do not call an attorney right away, we do not want you to think that it is impossible to do so later on. The simple fact is that many individuals do not realize the full extent of their injuries until well after the initial incident. The signs and symptoms of some injuries may not appear until days or weeks after the incident occurs. We strongly encourage injury victims to reach out to an attorney as soon as they realize they need to pursue compensation from an at-fault party.
Do not worry that you waited, and do not think that an attorney is going to scold you for not coming to them sooner. Attorneys are professionals, and they understand that there are many reasons why you may not have contacted them right away. A skilled personal injury lawyer in Illinois will examine the facts of your case and help determine the best steps moving forward for your particular situation.
An Attorney can Help Increase Your Settlement
If you or somebody you care about has been injured due to the careless or negligent actions of another individual or entity, let an attorney get involved as soon as possible. You will be much more likely to receive a total compensation settlement for your losses if an attorney gets involved and handles the case on your behalf.