In Conversation with Experts: Should People Involve Personal Injury Lawyers?

Last week, we had the opportunity to attend Legal Professional Networking Night in Chicago. After a few presentations, we had the opportunity to converse with Jonathan Rosenfeld from a Chicago personal injury law firm.

In particular, we were interested in learning more about his car accident experience and he was kind enough to share his expertise. 

“It’s no secret that an accident is a jarring experience that can lead to physical injury and mental trauma. If you were hurt because of another person or party’s negligence, you are entitled to fair and reasonable compensation. After all, you have to pay for medical bills, bear loss of employment, and deal with other consequences of your injuries.”, says Rosenfeld.

He continues, “If you are dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer. I’m happy to detail a few ways a professional can help your case.”

When asked about what people should do after an accident, he replies, “After an accident, you should immediately seek medical help even if you feel alright. The second most important thing is gathering evidence. A particular piece of evidence could play a crucial role in your personal injury claim. Understandably, you may not be sure of what kind of evidence will help your case. It’s also possible that you may not have a support system that can lend you a hand. 

Along with legal guidance, a lawyer can gather and preserve useful evidence. You can also rely on them to retain experts to further support your case. This is why it’s imperative to consult a lawyer as soon as possible.”

The expert highlights, “Whether your vehicle was rear-ended in a parking lot or head-on collision, it can be difficult to identify the parties responsible for the accident. In some cases, you can simply look at the crash report prepared by the officer to determine the responsible party. 

However, you need the assistance of a skilled attorney for complicated cases. They will talk to potential witnesses, find traffic/CCTV camera footage and conduct a thorough discovery process to determine the party at fault.

There are several ways to proceed when you get into a car accident because of another driver’s negligence. From settling the case with the responsible party’s insurance company to taking your case to trial, you should be aware of all your options. 

A lawyer will help you understand all your options. Moreover, certain cases where no people were hurt or any damage was incurred may not be worth pursuing.”

He further explains, “Just because a party is clearly guilty doesn’t mean they will be willing to pay the settlement. When you have suffered a serious injury and other losses, it would be  difficult to recover money from the guilty party. You should consult a Chicago personal injury law firm that can represent your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.

Several individuals think they can get the money on their own without a lawyer. But it’s important to remember that insurance companies aren’t playing fair. They are hoping to pay as little as possible. In fact, your insurance provider will probably make a quick offer that’s way too less than what you deserve. 

Instead, we suggest letting an experienced attorney handle all communications with your insurance provider. 

Many people end up accepting the first offer without knowing that they deserve much more. It’s no secret that insurance companies are notorious for practicing bad faith tactics. In fact, insurance providers often try every practice possible to delay, minimize or even deny a claim.

From low-balling to unnecessarily long delays, there are several hurdles you have to cross to receive your rightful claim. You can depend on a lawyer to tackle such obstacles and speed up the process.”

Speaking of settlements, Rosenfeld says, “Negotiating a fair settlement can be tricky. As previously mentioned, insurance providers will do everything possible to pay the minimum amount. However, you deserve to be compensated for your medical bills, loss of employment, emotional distress and other expenses. 

Lawyers employ specialized skills to negotiate with insurance companies. Ideally, your attorney will negotiate a higher settlement that meets all your needs. 

From failing to collect valuable evidence to neglecting to obtain witness statements, there are several mistakes that can make your personal injury case harder to win. 

Therefore, you need an expert by your side. A skilled lawyer familiar with the ins and outs of personal injury will help you avoid such costly mistakes. In addition to documenting necessary evidence, a lawyer can also protect you from saying or signing anything that can be used against you.”

“While there is no rush to hire a personal injury lawyer, you should consult an attorney as soon as you can. That’s because waiting too long can lead to loss of evidence, which can hurt your case.”, he concludes.