What if I can’t afford a lawyer?

Personal Injury - December 20, 2023

Facing a personal injury claim can be overwhelming. You may worry, “What if I can’t afford a lawyer?” At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we believe everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of their financial situation. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone’s negligence, a Chicago personal injury attorney from Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates can help you fight for the compensation you deserve even if you can’t afford an attorney.

What is it called when you can’t afford a lawyer?

When you can’t afford an attorney, it’s commonly referred to as being indigent. This term describes individuals who cannot afford legal representation or qualify for free or reduced-cost legal services or court-appointed legal counsel based on their financial circumstances.

What if you can’t afford a lawyer for your personal injury claim?

Don’t worry if you don’t know what to do if you can’t afford a lawyer for your civil case. In Chicago personal injury cases, many attorneys, including ours, will work on a contingency fee basis.

Resources in Illinois for people who can’t afford a lawyer

If you cannot provide any payment for an attorney, you may qualify for free legal aid services in Illinois, including:

Pro bono legal professionals at these agencies are dedicated to helping those who ask, “What do I do if I can’t afford an attorney?”

How does a contingency fee case work in Chicago?

In Illinois, your personal injury claim begins with a free initial consultation, where we evaluate your case and whether you have a valid claim. If so, you’ll enter into a contingency fee agreement that includes the percentage of the final settlement we’ll receive as our fee.

You don’t pay any upfront costs, and our payment is contingent upon the successful resolution of your case. You won’t owe our attorneys any legal fees if we don’t win.

What kinds of compensation can I receive in a Chicago personal injury case?

If you were hurt in an accident caused by another party’s carelessness, you deserve compensation for your losses. Damages you may receive in a personal injury case include:

Past, current, and future medical expenses
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
Current and ongoing pain and suffering
Disability or disfigurement
Property damage
Punitive damages if the liable party acted in an intentional or egregious manner

Our personal injury team can help you fight for what you deserve, even if you think you can’t afford a lawyer. We’re familiar with the tactics used by insurance companies to minimize your compensation. We can negotiate with them to secure the fair settlement you deserve using our access to resources such as investigators, expert witnesses, and medical professionals who can help build a strong case on your behalf.

What happens if you receive a settlement offer?

You’ll have the final say whether to accept a settlement offer or proceed to trial. We’ll provide you with clear and transparent information about how our fee is calculated and any other expenses you may be responsible for, such as:

Medical record costs
Court filing fees
Process server fees
Deposition and transcript fees
Expert witness fees
Travel costs
Legal research fees

Contact us for a risk-free consultation

At Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, we’re focused on helping hard-working individuals injured due to someone else’s negligence. If you’re worried about affording a lawyer for your personal injury claim, contact us at (800) 985-1819. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis to help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

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