When Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Chicago Car Accident?

This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founder, Joseph Conboy who has years of legal experience. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.

Joseph Conboy | February 15, 2025
When Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Chicago Car Accident

Car accidents often occur in an instant, catching victims off guard and leaving them unsure of how to proceed. Whether it’s a small fender bender or a devastating crash, the aftermath can be overwhelming and filled with stress. You might wonder, “When should I hire a lawyer for a Chicago car accident?”

While not every case requires legal representation, certain situations make hiring a car accident attorney essential. At Conboy Law, we specialize in helping car accident victims recover compensation. Our team understands how challenging this time can be, and we’re here to guide you through the process.

Recognizing the signs early can protect your rights and improve the outcome of your case. For instance, if you’ve suffered severe injuries, faced disputes over fault, or dealt with an uncooperative insurance company, it’s time to consult a lawyer. Furthermore, hiring a seasoned attorney ensures you don’t settle for less than you deserve. Let’s explore the specific signs that indicate you need legal help.

Signs You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

After a car accident, you may question whether hiring a lawyer is necessary. While some cases are straightforward, others require expert guidance. Below are key signs that indicate you need a car accident attorney.

Major Property Damage

When a car accident results in significant damage to your vehicle or property, it’s a red flag. Insurance companies often try to undervalue claims, leaving you to cover repair costs out of pocket. Our experienced car accident lawyers are skilled at negotiating with insurers and fighting for maximum compensation.

Furthermore, they can assess whether the damage points to negligence by the other driver. Don’t let an insurance adjuster pressure you into accepting a low settlement. Instead, let us handle the negotiations on your behalf.

Property damage isn’t just about fixing your car. It may also cover harm to personal items inside the vehicle or even structural damage to surrounding property. A skilled attorney ensures that all these losses are included in your car accident claim. By working with us, you can focus on moving forward without worrying about financial burdens.

Serious Injuries

Severe injuries from an auto accident often lead to high medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care needs. If you have suffered broken bones, head trauma, or chronic pain, you need a competent attorney. We will help you recover compensation for medical care and physical and emotional suffering.

In addition, a lawyer ensures that your personal injury claim includes all future expenses related to your recovery. Without legal representation, you risk settling for far less than what you’re owed.

Serious injuries can change your life forever. A spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury, for example, often necessitates continuous medical care and rehabilitation. These costs add up quickly, and you shouldn’t have to bear them alone. We’ll fight to ensure your claim reflects the true cost of your injuries.

Long-Term Medical Issues

Some injuries don’t fully reveal their effect until weeks or months later. For example, chronic pain or permanent disability can result from even a minor car accident. These long-term medical issues require ongoing treatment, which can be costly.

A personal injury lawyer can calculate future medical expenses and include them in your claim. This way, you won’t face financial hardship down the road. Furthermore, they will work to hold the negligent party accountable for their actions.

Long-term medical issues can affect your ability to work and enjoy life. Whether it’s reduced mobility or constant pain, these challenges deserve fair compensation. Our team will ensure your claim accounts for both current and future needs.

Disputes Over Fault or Liability

Fault isn’t always clear-cut after a car crash. Sometimes, multiple parties share responsibility, or the other driver denies wrongdoing. Under Illinois law, disputes over liability can delay your claim and make it harder to recover compensation.

A skilled attorney gathers evidence like the police report, witness statements, and photos from the accident scene. They use this information to prove who was at fault. By doing so, they protect your right to pursue compensation and ensure the liable parties are held accountable.

Disputes over fault are common, especially in complex cases involving multiple vehicles or unclear circumstances. With our help, you won’t have to worry about proving your side of the story. We’ll gather the evidence needed to build a strong case.

Uncooperative Insurance Companies

Insurance companies aren’t always on your side. In fact, they may deny your claim, delay payments, or offer a lowball settlement. Their goal is to save money, not to help you recover. An accomplished lawyer levels the playing field. They handle all communication with the insurance company and push back against unfair tactics. With a lawyer by your side, you’re more likely to receive a fair settlement that covers your losses.

Dealing with an uncooperative insurance company can feel like a losing battle. They may argue that you were partially at fault or claim your injuries aren’t as severe as you say. We’ll counter these arguments and ensure you’re treated fairly throughout the process.

How a Lawyer Can Help After an Accident

How a lawyer can help after an accident

After a car accident, dealing with the aftermath can feel overwhelming. From seeking medical treatment to handling insurance claims, there’s a lot to manage. That’s where a personal injury lawyer comes in. At Conboy Law Firm, we take care of everything so you can focus on healing. Here’s how we help:

Handling Communication with Insurance Companies

One of the first things we do is take over communication with the insurance company. Speaking directly to an insurance adjuster can be risky. You might say something that weakens your case without realizing it. We step in to prevent this from happening. Our team handles all calls, emails, and paperwork, ensuring you’re treated fairly. Remember, never give a recorded statement without consulting us first.

Insurance adjusters are skilled at finding tactics to minimize the amount they pay out. They may twist your words or misinterpret your statements to shift blame onto you. By letting us handle communication, you avoid these pitfalls and protect your claim.

Gathering Evidence to Support Your Claim

Strong evidence is key to winning a personal injury lawsuit. We collect police reports, medical records, and witness statements to build a solid case. If needed, we also work with accident reconstruction experts to recreate the events leading up to the crash. This thorough approach helps us prove fault and demonstrate the extent of your damages. The more evidence we gather, the stronger your claim becomes.

Evidence doesn’t just come from official reports. Photos from the accident scene, dashcam footage, and even social media posts from witnesses can play a role. We leave no stone unturned when building your case.

Calculating the Full Value of Your Damages

Medical bills and lost wages are just part of the picture. Non-economic damages like pain and suffering matter, too. We carefully assess both economic and non-economic damages to ensure your claim fully captures the real effect of the accident. This includes future costs like ongoing medical care or lost income due to reduced earning capacity. Our priority is to fight for the highest possible compensation, giving you the peace of mind you deserve as you focus on recovery.

Many people underestimate the value of their claim. They focus only on immediate costs and overlook long-term impacts. We’ll ensure your claim accounts for every loss, big or small.

Negotiating a Fair and Just Settlement

Negotiation is one of our strongest skills. We know how to counter lowball offers and push for a fair settlement. Insurance companies frequently aim to expedite settlements, anticipating that you might agree to an amount lower than what is rightfully yours. We won’t let that happen. Instead, we advocate for your best interests every step of the way. If necessary, we’re prepared to take your case to court to fight for justice.

Reaching a fair settlement can be challenging. Insurance companies often use tactics like delays or repeated denials to frustrate you into accepting less. But with us on your side, you’ll have a dedicated advocate tirelessly working to secure the compensation you truly deserve.

Representing You in Court

Sometimes, a fair settlement isn’t possible. When this happens, we represent you in court. Our team has extensive experience presenting cases to judges and juries. We prepare thoroughly, using all available evidence to tell your story. Rest assured, we’ll fight tirelessly to ensure you’re awarded compensation for your losses.

Going to court can be intimidating, but with a skilled attorney by your side, your chances of achieving a favorable outcome increase significantly. You don’t have to tackle the challenges of court alone—we’ll stand with you, providing clear guidance at every stage and making sure your perspective is fully represented.

Benefits of Early Legal Representation

Benefits of early legal representation

Hiring a lawyer early can positively affect the outcome of your case. Acting quickly allows us to preserve evidence, set the narrative, and avoid common mistakes. Let’s explore the specific benefits of early legal involvement.

Preserving Crucial Evidence

Evidence can disappear over time. Photos fade, witnesses forget details, and video footage gets deleted. By hiring us early, we can secure this evidence before it’s too late. For example, we visit the accident scene, review traffic camera footage, and interview witnesses. This proactive approach strengthens your case and ensures nothing is overlooked.

Early action is critical in preserving evidence. Waiting too long can make it harder to gather the proof you need to support your claim.

Setting the Narrative for the Negotiations

The way your case is presented matters. Early legal involvement allows us to shape the narrative from the start. We counter false claims made by the other side and highlight facts that support your position. This strategy puts you in a stronger position during negotiations. It also shows the insurance company that we mean business.

A strong narrative can make all the difference in how your case is perceived. We’ll ensure your side of the story is told clearly and convincingly.

Avoiding Common Mistakes That Can Harm Your Case

Many people unintentionally harm their car accident cases by making simple mistakes. For instance, admitting fault, posting about the accident on social media, or accepting an early settlement can jeopardize your claim. We guide you through the process and explain what to avoid. With our help, you’ll stay on track and protect your right to fair compensation.

Mistakes like these can cost you dearly. For example, a single social media post could be used against you to argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim. We’ll help you avoid these pitfalls.

Why Partner With Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer?

At Conboy Law, we specialize in helping car accident victims recover compensation. Our personal injury lawyer knows firsthand the difficulties you’re up against, whether it’s a minor car accident or a tragic wrongful death case.

We craft a customized plan, designing our approach to address your specific needs and circumstances. Over the years, we’ve built a strong track record of success in personal injury law, winning cases for our clients across Illinois.

We believe everyone deserves justice after a motor vehicle accident. That’s why we offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case. During this meeting, we’ll review your situation, answer your questions, and outline your options. There’s no obligation, so you have nothing to lose. Let us put our expertise to work for you.

Contact Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Contact our Chicago car accident lawyer for a free consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Chicago, don’t wait to seek legal help. The sooner you contact us, the better positioned we are to protect your rights. At Conboy Law, we’re ready to fight for you. Call us today to schedule a free consultation. Our team will listen to your story, evaluate your claim, and guide you toward the best course of action.

Remember, you don’t have to face this alone. Reach out now to start demanding the compensation you deserve.

Joseph Conboy
Founding Attorney

Joseph M. Conboy, founder of Conboy Law, represents victims of catastrophic injuries and wrongful death, securing numerous multi-million-dollar results. Recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star (2019–2022), he is a member of the American Association for Justice and Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Conboy earned his J.D. from DePaul University and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Colorado.

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