Key Tips to Consider Before Hiring an Injury Lawyer in Illinois

 

Suffering a personal injury can be a difficult and stressful experience. You may be facing mounting medical bills, lost wages from missed work, and pain and suffering from your injury. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may want to consider hiring a personal injury lawyer to help you seek compensation. However, not all injury lawyers in Illinois are equal, and you’ll want to consider several key factors before deciding who to hire to represent you.  

Here are the top tips to keep in mind when hiring an injury lawyer in Illinois:

Focus Your Search on Illinois

While you can technically hire an injury lawyer from any state, your best bet is to find one who is licensed in Illinois. They will have a strong understanding of Illinois negligence laws and experience navigating the local court system. An out-of-state lawyer will likely need to bring in a local lawyer to assist, which may drive up your legal fees.

Verify Experience and Specialization 

You’ll want to hire a lawyer who specializes specifically in personal injury or negligence law, not one who dabbles in many different legal fields. Ask upfront how many years they’ve practiced personal injury law and what percentage of their current caseload focuses on it. Their experience level matters when it comes to investigating your case, determining liability, and ultimately negotiating the compensation you deserve.

Look for Resources and Trial Experience

The personal injury attorney Chicago you choose should have the financial resources to thoroughly investigate your injury claim and take it to trial if needed, rather than pushing you to accept the first settlement offer. During your consultation, ask if they have experience litigating injury claims in court or if they tend to settle out of court. While a settlement could help you avoid a lengthy trial, having trial experience often leads to higher settlement offers.

Discuss Their Fee Structure    

Most injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay them any legal fees upfront. Rather, they take a percentage (often 30-40%) of your final injury settlement. However, some may also require you to reimburse them for initial court costs if you lose your case. During your consultation, clearly discuss fee percentages, reimbursement rules, and what you’ll be responsible for paying throughout the legal process.

Finding the right Illinois personal injury lawyer for your negligence claim involves careful research and an in-depth consultation to discuss their background, resources, fees, and overall fit. But taking the time upfront can pay off with the best legal guidance and representation needed to recover maximum compensation down the road. Be sure to keep these tips in mind as you look for your injury lawyer.