What you don’t know could hurt your Illinois personal injury claim.

Are you ready to hire a personal injury lawyer? Here are ten things to consider before you make your choice:

  1. Beware of ambulance chasers. Attorneys who read about your injury and then contact you about representation are breaking the law. You don’t want a lawyer who engages in unethical behavior. Don’t hire just any attorney until you’ve had a chance to check him or her out.
  2. Initial consultations are almost always free. Nearly every Rockford personal injury attorney offers a free consultation. These consultations give lawyers a chance to learn about your case before they decide if they will represent you. They also give you an opportunity to see how you feel about the lawyer. Remember, there is no obligation when you schedule a free consultation.
  3. Experience is important. If you are looking for an attorney for your Illinois injury case, you will want to make sure that you choose a personal injury attorney rather than a general lawyer. You want an attorney who understands the latest changes in Illinois injury law. You also want an attorney who has experience handling claims like yours. If your child was attacked by a dog in Rockford, you don’t want an attorney who only handles car accident cases.
  4. You don’t always need to go to court. Most cases settle long before they get to court. But you do want an attorney with trial experience just in case the insurance company gives you a hard time.
  5. Know how much your case will cost. Even the most caring of attorneys need to get paid. Most personal injury attorneys take cases on a contingency basis. This means that they get paid a percentage of your settlement. Make sure you know the contingency percentage and whether there will be extra costs before you agree to hire an attorney.
  6. Expenses aren’t included. The contingency fee pays for the lawyer’s time. If there are other expenses involved in your case, you will be billed for these when the case settles. Ask how much you can expect to pay in expenses.
  7. You may have to pay back your insurance company. Did your health insurance cover your medical bills? If you get a settlement that covers your medical expenses, you will need to pay your insurance company back. A good Rockford injury lawyer will work with the insurance company to make sure you get the money you need.
  8. Your case will take time. Ask your lawyer how long your Illinois injury case will take. If he promises a fast settlement, beware.
  9. There are no guarantees. A good Rockford injury lawyer will give you an honest opinion of what he thinks of your case. However, he won’t guarantee an outcome.
  10. You can fire your attorney. You have the right to change attorneys if you are unhappy with how your Rockford personal injury lawyer is handling your case.

Looking for a second opinion? Contact Hupy and Abraham at 815-877-3900 (local) or 800-390-6350 (toll-free) and ask to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Rockford.

Jason F. Abraham
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Helping car accident and personal injury victims throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa since 1993.