If you have been injured in an accident because of another party’s negligence, you may want to seek compensation by filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit. As a claimant, you can choose to represent your case in a trial to avoid attorney fees and handle your ca how you see fit. But many things can go wrong if you’re not family with personal injury law. This can affect your case’s outcome. Thus, it is always best to hire an Illinois personal injury attorney if you want your case to succeed and get the compensation you deserve. The following are the risks of not hiring a personal injury attorney:
You Don’t Know the Necessary Evidence to Collect
When you choose to handle your personal injury case on your own, you might overlook vital evidence that can support or strengthen your case. Photos, medical bills, and witness statements are pieces of evidence that you could use. An experienced injury attorney knows the exact type of evidence that can help you get the maximum compensation for your damages.
You Could Miss the Filing Deadline
When it comes to personal injury claims, there is a filing deadline you must meet. In Illinois, you have two years from the injury date to file a claim or lawsuit. Failing to file within this timeframe means you cannot seek compensation for your injuries and losses.
You Might Not Know How to Calculate Your Damages
A personal injury claim or lawsuit is meant to help you recover compensation for the damages you have incurred due to the accident or your injuries. However, there are different types of damages you can recover and some of them do not have a direct dollar value. Without an attorney, you might not be able to calculate the full value of your claim. But a personal injury attorney knows the factors to consider to come up with an amount to demand. These factors include the severity and extent of your injuries, lost income, medical bills, and other factors.
You Might Not Be a Good Negotiator
To make the most out of your claim, you must know how to negotiate a reasonable settlement with an insurance company. Insurers tend to devalue claims to pay the least amount of money or even deny them altogether. A skilled personal injury attorney knows the common negotiation tactics that insurers employ and can counter them. They will not settle your case for less than what you deserve.