Orland Park Personal Injury Lawyer

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If you have sustained injuries in any type of accident because of someone else’s negligence, you can file a personal injury claim to seek compensation. We know that you have lots of questions about personal injury cases and legal representation, including the cost of hiring an Orland Park personal injury attorney to help you with your case.

We’re here to help you get compensation and justice for your injuries, and we don’t get any lawyer’s fees upfront. You pay us when you receive your compensation, so there’s no risk to you. First, we offer you a free case evaluation to determine if you have a case. Then we advise you on your next best actions to hold the negligent party accountable.

Chris Ktenas, Orland Park personal injury lawyer

Contact our law firm today to discuss your personal injury case with our experienced Orland Park personal injury lawyers. To find out how we can help you get compensation for your injuries and damages, call us today at (312) 300-2515, or chat with us online.

When Should You Hire an Orland Park Personal Injury Attorney?

Not all personal injury cases require a lawyer, but most cases where there are catastrophic injuries most likely need the specialized skills and knowledge of a legal professional. Your insurer, and the other party’s insurer, will most probably have an experienced team of lawyers working for them.

With that being said, there are ways to help you know if your case requires a personal injury lawyer or not. No two injuries or accidents are the same, and the scenarios surrounding them are unique to every client. The following scenarios will help you know whether you need to hire an Orland Park personal injury lawyer:

You Sustained Serious Injuries

If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a pedestrian accident or became seriously ill after a car accident, most definitely you need to hire a lawyer. At the very least, it’s advisable to consult with an injury lawyer because most attorneys offer a free case review.

If you suffered an injury that'll require long-term medical care or cause you a permanent disability, hiring a personal injury lawyer with extensive experience is the only way to prevent serious, long-term economic hardships for you and your family.

It’s Unclear Who is at Fault

If you were involved in an accident and you aren’t sure who is at fault, it’s in your best interests to consult with an Orland Park injury attorney. In these situations, the other party’s insurers will blame you for damages. Working with an attorney can help you protect your rights and defend yourself from cross-claims and counterclaims.

an injury attorney working on a claim for a client

Multiple Parties Are Involved

If you were injured in an accident involving multiple parties, speaking with a personal injury lawyer can give you the best chance of not being stuck with the bills. Lawyers have the expertise and skills to deal with multiple insurance companies at once and build a case that protects their clients.

If multiple parties are at fault for your injury, an attorney can also help you get the compensation you deserve without leaving money on the table.

The Insurer is Delaying or Denying Your Injury Claim

Insurance companies know most people don’t understand the complicated laws and procedures that take place in a personal injury claim. Thus, they often use this to deny legitimate compensation claims because they know there’s nothing you can do about it. Insurance companies can delay claims to beat the injured party into submission.

They know the bills are rolling in and money is tight, so they often take advantage of this to offer a lowball settlement offer. If you experience any of these situations, you should consult with a personal injury attorney.

How to Find the Right Lawyer for Your Injury Claim

Finding the right Orland Park personal injury lawyer to handle your case is a daunting task. Whether you suffered injuries after a car accident or are having trouble after a hip replacement surgery, you want to make sure the attorney you hire is best for the job.

Today, anyone can create a slick and professional website, so how do you know who’s competent? And where do you start your search?

  • Ask for recommendations from friends and family. The preferred way to find the right personal injury lawyer is to ask for referrals from friends and family. Ask your friends and family members to recommend an attorney who represented them in the past.
  • Search for attorneys online. Search different attorneys online. However, make sure they’re licensed and in good standing in Illinois. Check the Illinois State Bar Association to see their bar status and if they have been sanctioned and if any disciplinary action has been leveled against them.
  • Listen to your intuition. Choose a personal injury attorney that genuinely cares about you and your well-being. Some lawyers may care about the value of your case over making the decisions that will benefit your recovery. So, trust your gut when picking an attorney. If it doesn’t feel right, move on to another lawyer right away, even if the legal representation has already begun.
  • Check the extent of the attorney’s training. Check the extent of their training and legal experience. Ask how long they have been practicing as personal injury attorneys and if they intend to work on your case personally or pass it to an associate. Find out if the attorney you’re hiring is the lawyer who will handle your case.
  • Discuss fees before signing. It’s critical to ask about fees upfront and always get any fee agreement in writing. Normally, personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, receiving nearly a third of the eventual compensation or judgment, plus office expenses. Regardless, ask the attorney to clarify what they mean when they say “no fee if no recovery.” Ensure you understand the lawyer’s fees from the start.

What are the Time Limits for Filing an Illinois Injury Claim?

In Illinois, there’s a time limit of two years for filing a personal injury claim in the state’s civil court system. The two-year limit, also known as a “statute of limitations” starts to run on the date of the accident in most cases. However, sometimes, the statute of limitations may run from the date you discovered you were injured, instead of the date of the accident that injured you. The later date is known as the “discovery date.”

For injuries against a county or city department, you have up to one year to file your claim for damages. The time limit to sue the state is two years, however, you must file a formal suit within one year so as to sue.

How Long Does it Take to Settle Personal Injury Lawsuits?

Three primary reasons can drag out the timeline of a personal injury case:

Two major factors drive the value of a personal injury case: liability and damages. If it’s hard to prove liability, for example, if multiple parties and witnesses all have different accounts, then it’s unlikely the insurance adjuster will make a reasonable settlement offer until your attorney shows a willingness to fight--by filing a personal injury case and hiring liability experts to prove how the other party was at fault.

If there are legal issues in the case, for instance, if the insurer believes you have no right to sue, then it’s likely that the insurance company will make a lowball offer until the court rules on your right to sue. Also, there might be problems with damages.

For instance, the doctor who treated you may be unsure that the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries. Here, the insurer will make a lowball offer until your lawyer can produce a doctor to testify that the defendant’s action caused your injuries.

The Case Involves a Significant Amount of Money

If the case involves significant damages, this can delay settlement. Insurance companies won’t pay millions of dollars until they have done their due diligence. This entails investigating all the aspects of the case until they’re convinced that:

  • The  bodily injuries you sustained are as serious as you say they are
  • They don’t have a good defense to counter your claim
  • They can’t attack your credibility
an injury lawyer shaking a clients hand after agreeing to represent them

Sometimes, insurance companies will delay settlement on a big case to see if the injured party will give up and a low-ball settlement offer.

You Have Not Fully Recovery Yet

Another reason injury cases take a long time to settle is because you’re still receiving medical treatment. If possible, don’t rush to settle a personal injury case until you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) from your injuries.

MMI means you are good as you’re going to get, and at this point, it’s easier for your lawyer to value your case accurately. If you’re still under treatment, the nature and extent of your injuries are unclear, and it’s hard to value your case.

Taking legal action and filing a personal injury claim can protect you from any immediate losses. Also, it can protect you from any future medical bills or future lost wages, if you’re unable to work. Personal injury law is confusing, but you don’t have to walk this journey alone. We’re here to help you and will fight fiercely to get you the compensation you deserve.

Finances can be an enormous burden if you suffered bodily injuries in an accident, but you can recover all your damages. Call Ktenas Injury Lawyers today at (312) 300-2515, or use our contact form for a free initial consultation. Our Illinois Injury Law Firm can help you weigh your options and determine your next course of action. Don’t wait! Call us today!

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