Facing car repairs and bills after a car accident in Chicago, IL? If the other driver caused your crash, they can be held responsible for your losses. You may be wondering if it’s necessary to hire a lawyer or if you can handle your claim on your own.
If your accident was fairly minor, you can probably recover fair compensation without a lawyer. But handling the claim alone can be complex, and mistakes may cost you money. Call Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers at (312) 635-5400 for legal assistance.
Why Choose Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers to Help With a Car Accident Claim
Navigating a car accident claim on your own can be overwhelming, and insurance companies often take advantage of unrepresented victims. At Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers, we make sure that doesn’t happen.
In the last decade, our firm has secured more than $250 million for clients, including dozens of settlements and verdicts of $1 million or more. With 35 years of combined experience, we know how to anticipate the tactics insurers use to minimize payouts. When you choose our law office, you get more than legal representation: you gain an advocate committed to protecting your rights.
Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Call us for a free consultation with a Chicago car accident attorney to tell your story and get the help you deserve.
How to Settle Your Own Car Accident Claim
Some people choose to handle a car accident claim without hiring an attorney. If you decide to move forward on your own, you’ll need to follow certain steps carefully to protect your rights.
- Notify the insurance companies: Report the crash to your insurer and the other driver’s carrier. Stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault. Let them know you’ll submit a demand letter once you know your total damages.
- Assess your damages: Don’t stop at repair costs. Include medical bills, future care, lost income, diminished car value, and pain and suffering.
- Gather evidence: Collect accident reports, photos, medical records, repair estimates, witness statements, and proof of lost wages. The stronger your documentation, the harder it is for insurers to deny your claim.
- Send a demand letter: Outline what happened, why the other driver is at fault, your injuries, and the total amount you’re seeking. Support your demand with bills, estimates, and records, and send it by certified mail.
- Negotiate a settlement: Expect the insurer to counter with a low offer. Negotiation often involves multiple rounds, and if you can’t agree, you may need to consider filing a lawsuit.
Taking these steps can help you build a stronger claim and improve your chances of a fair settlement.
Be Aware of the Challenges of Negotiating a Settlement Without a Lawyer
Handling a car accident claim on your own may seem like a way to save money, but it may cost you more in the long run. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters trained to protect their profits.
Without legal help, you may:
- Receive a settlement far below what your claim is worth
- Struggle to calculate or prove future medical costs or lost earning potential
- Miss important deadlines that can harm your case
- Face pressure to accept a quick payout that doesn’t cover long-term needs
- Find that you are not taken seriously by the insurance company
Even with strong evidence, proving fault and negotiating a fair settlement takes skill and persistence.
Mistakes to Avoid While Handling Your Accident Claim
If you choose to settle your own claim, here are common mistakes you should avoid:
- Giving a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company. These statements may be misinterpreted to reduce the value of your claim.
- Accepting the first settlement offer. These offers are usually far less than you deserve.
- Settling too quickly. Be sure you know the full extent of your injuries and damages before negotiating a settlement.
- Failing to see a doctor right away. Delays in treatment make it easier for insurers to argue your injuries aren’t serious or unrelated to the crash.
- Missing filing deadlines. In Illinois, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years.
These mistakes can reduce the value of your claim or even prevent you from recovering compensation at all.
Know When It’s Best to Hire a Lawyer
Sometimes, handling your own claim just isn’t realistic.
You should strongly consider hiring a car accident lawyer if your case involves:
- Serious or catastrophic injuries
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Disputes over who was at fault
- A multi-vehicle accident
- An underinsured or uninsured motorist
- A drunk driver
- Wrongful death
Hiring a lawyer doesn’t just take stress off your shoulders: a lawyer may help you recover more compensation. Injury victims with legal representation typically receive higher settlements than those who go it alone.
You don’t need to pay legal fees out of pocket, either. With a contingency fee agreement, the attorney’s fees are taken out of your recovery with no fees owed if the lawyer doesn’t win your case.
Contact Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
After a serious car crash, Powell and Pisman Injury Lawyers is here to take on the insurance company and fight for your best interests. In the last decade, we have recovered over $250 million for injured clients and are prepared to put our experience to work for you.
Call our law office to speak with a Chicago car accident attorney during a free case evaluation. We’ll listen to your story, help you decide if hiring an attorney is the right decision, and discuss what we can do to help you.