How to Maximize the Value of a Personal Injury Claim in Chicago

Getting hurt because someone else was careless can turn your life upside down. Suddenly, you have to deal with pain, medical bills, and being unable to return to work. Knowing how to handle a personal injury claim can help if this happens to you in Chicago.

That’s where Conboy Law comes in, with our team of experienced Chicago personal injury attorneys ready to guide you. Learn more about personal injury claims below. Then, let us help you maximize the value of your claim.

Initial Steps After Sustaining a Personal Injury

1. Check yourself for injuries and get to safety. If you’re hurt, try to move to a safe location without worsening your injuries.
2. Call 911 or ask someone to do it for you. You need to ask for medical care. Emergency personnel can also ensure a record of the accident.
3. Take photos of the accident scene and your injuries. Pictures can prove what happened and showcase your catastrophic injuries.
4. Exchange information with the other person involved. Make sure you get their name, contact info, and insurance details.
5. Talk to witnesses and get their contact information. Witnesses can help prove what happened during the car accident.
6. Even if you think you’re not badly hurt, go to the doctor. Some injuries don’t show up immediately, and seeing a doctor records your condition.
7. Call a Chicago personal injury lawyer. A skilled lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies and ensure you recover all compensation you’re owed.

The Types of Personal Injury Accidents We See

• Car accidents. Car accidents happen in Chicago every day. Even minor car crashes can lead to serious injuries. Our lawyers know how to handle these claims.
• Slip and fall accidents. If you fall because someone didn’t keep their property safe, we can help you maximize compensation for your injuries.
• Workplace injuries. An injury at work means you might have a claim against your employer or a third party. This includes the construction industry.
• Medical malpractice. If a doctor or hospital did not follow the appropriate standard of care, we can help you file a medical malpractice claim against them.
• Product liability. If a product malfunctions and causes an injury, the company or manufacturer that produced the product could be held responsible.
• Dog bites. If someone’s dog bites you, you could be owed compensation for your injuries and any treatment you need.
• Pedestrian accidents. Getting struck by a car in a pedestrian accident can lead to a serious personal injury claim.

Understanding the Components of Your Claim

Your personal injury claim in Chicago can include compensation for numerous areas. First, there are medical bills for your treatment. Then, you might recover compensation for work you missed because you were hurt.

On top of that, you can demand compensation for pain and suffering. Lastly, if the injury stops you from participating in activities you used to enjoy, you might get extra money for that, too.

Economic Damages: Calculating Tangible Losses

Economic damages are the money you spent or lost because of your injury. This includes all your medical expenses, from emergency room visits to follow-up appointments. It also covers money you didn’t earn because you were too hurt to work. Our lawyers work to add up every dollar you’re owed to make sure nothing gets left out.

Non-Economic Damages: Assessing Intangible Impacts

Non-economic damages cover the pain and changes to your life that don’t have a specific price tag. These could be pain from your injuries, stress, or the inability to do hobbies you love.

Figuring out how much money this is worth can be tricky, but our team has extensive experience doing just that. We fight to get you money for these harder-to-see impacts of your injury.

The Importance of Thorough Documentation

Keeping detailed records is key to a strong personal injury claim. Every bill, receipt, and letter from doctors or insurance companies must be safe and organized. This documentation proves how much the injury cost you and helps us argue for the most money possible. Without it, insurance companies might try to pay you less than you deserve.

Medical Records and Expenses

Your medical records are some of the most important papers in your claim. They show your injuries, how they were treated, and how much it all cost. These records can also prove that the accident caused your injuries, not another incident.

Sometimes, insurance companies will argue about what treatments are necessary. Having detailed records helps us show that every appointment, test, and treatment was needed because of the accident. The insurance company could be responsible for all of your medical care up to the limit of their liability.

Documentation of Lost Wages and Lifestyle Changes

If you couldn’t work because of your injury, you need proof of how much pay you lost. This could be pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or other records. We also look at how the injury might affect your ability to earn money in the future.

Changes to your lifestyle are also important. Maybe you can’t play sports or do other activities you used to love. Keeping a diary or notes about these changes can help us maximize the value of your settlement.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Personal Injury Claims

• Not seeing a doctor right away. This can make it seem like your injuries aren’t severe. Always get checked out after an accident.
• Talking too much to the insurance company. What you say can be used against you. Let your lawyer negotiate on your behalf.
• Posting on social media. Pictures or posts about what you’re doing can hurt your claim. It’s best to stay off social media while your claim continues.
• Accepting the first settlement offer. It’s usually too low. Do not agree to any settlement offer without talking to your lawyer first.
• Not keeping good records. Without documentation, it’s harder to prove what you’re owed. Keep everything related to your injury and treatment.

The Dangers of Social Media and Public Statements

Talking about your injury on social media can hurt your claim. Insurance companies look at your profiles to find reasons to pay you less. Even something that seems harmless, like a picture of you at a party, can be used against you. It’s best to keep your claim and anything about your injury off the internet.

Understanding and Mitigating Comparative Negligence Claims

In Chicago, your settlement could be reduced if you’re partly to blame for your injury. This is called comparative negligence. Just because the other side says you’re partly at fault doesn’t make it true. Our lawyers can show that you weren’t to blame. Let us help you maximize the value of your claim.

We gather evidence and use laws to protect your claim from being unfairly reduced. Even if you were partly at fault, we work to minimize how much that affects your settlement. We always aim to help you recover as much compensation as possible, no matter what the insurance company says.

Negotiating with Insurance Companies

Dealing with insurance companies can be tough. They want to pay as little as possible, but we know how to get around their tactics.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers are skilled at negotiating to get you a fair deal. We understand how insurance adjusters think and use that to your advantage.

Our Lawyer Uses Strategies for Effective Communication

• Being prepared. We gather all the facts and documents before we talk to the insurance company. This way, we can answer any questions and prove your claim.
• Staying professional. Even when negotiations get tough, we keep everything calm and respectful. This helps keep the conversation productive.
• Understanding their tactics. Insurance companies have tricks to pay less. We know these tactics and how to deal with them.
• Focusing on the facts. We always bring the discussion back to what happened and why you deserve compensation.
• Being patient but persistent. Sometimes, the best deals take time. We don’t rush into a bad settlement just to be done.

When to Accept or Reject Settlement Offers

Deciding whether to accept a settlement offer is a major decision. We’ll help you understand the pros and cons of any offer. Our experience means we know when to keep negotiating for a better deal and when to say yes.

If an offer is too low, we’re ready to fight for more, either through more negotiations or by going to court. We always aim to get you enough money to cover all your costs and compensate you for your trouble.

How We Maximize the Value of Your Claim

Our team at Conboy Law works hard to get you the most money possible for your injury. We start by building a strong case with all the right documentation.

Then, we negotiate with the insurance company using proven strategies. We’re unafraid to stand up to them and demand what they deserve. Our personal injury lawyers work to maximize the value of your settlement.

To Settle or Go To Trial

Choosing between settling or going to trial is a big decision. Settlements can be quicker and less stressful, but sometimes, going to trial is the best way to get the compensation you truly deserve. We’ll give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Our team is ready to support you, whether negotiating a great settlement or fighting for you in court. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, so we’re always ready. Our thorough preparation and aggressive representation are designed to give you the best chance of winning, no matter your case’s path.

Connect With Conboy Law for a Free Consultation To Maximize Your Claim

If you’ve been injured and someone else is to blame, you don’t have to handle it alone. Conboy Law is here to help.

With our experienced Chicago personal injury attorneys, you can focus on improving while we care for the rest. We’re committed to getting you the maximum compensation for your injury.

A personal injury lawsuit could help you cover your current and future medical expenses. If you need help with a car accident claim or insurance claim, contact our Chicago personal injury attorney today for a free consultation. Let’s see how much we can recover for you in a personal injury settlement.