If you have sustained personal injury in an accident, one of the first things you may be wondering is whether you can afford a personal injury lawyer or not – and whether it’s worth it. However, hiring a personal injury attorney in Rockford, IL, is the best investment you can make after getting into an accident.
Your lawyer will advise you on the best steps to take, guide you through the legal process, and deal with the insurance companies responsible for compensating you for your damages.
Personal injury and types
Injury is a legal term that refers to the injury one sustains to the body, mind, or emotions. Personal injury cases are tort lawsuits in which the person filing the case has suffered an injury to their body, mind, or feelings through the actions or negligence of someone else.
Some of the most common types of personal injury cases are:
- Auto accident injury
- Medical malpractice
- Product liability
- Slip and fall accidents
- Wrongful death
In personal injury cases, the compensation you are eligible for depends on the severity of your injuries. It also depends on your State and the laws applicable to your State. It may also depend on your insurance coverage.
Most personal injury attorneys will take a percentage of the settlement to handle the case. Many attorneys also work on a contingency fee basis. However, you should know that most contingency fees are not cheap since you are not paying anything upfront, and the lawyer is taking a risk with your case.
Should you pay for it?
Whether you should hire a lawyer on a contingency fee basis is something you should decide after taking a good look at your case.
If the claim is small, it may be better for you to handle the case on your own. You may even go to small claims court or arbitration. However, if you think that the potential damages in your case are relatively large, it may be worth your while to hire a personal injury lawyer.
Other expenses
Besides the damages and injuries, you may also need to pay for other expenses such as:
- Filing fees
- Police reports
- Witness fees
- Medical records
- Court reporters
- Trial exhibits
- Postage and copying charges
Do you need a personal injury lawyer?
When filing a personal injury lawsuit, there are various things that you need to take care of. This includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Assessment of financial liability and assessment of compensation
- Dealing with the insurance company responsible for compensation
- Knowledge of legal provisions
- Litigation services and legal advisory
If you are not able to handle all of this on your own, do not hesitate and hire a personal injury attorney today!