When you have suffered an injury in an auto accident, life can be difficult. You may be disabled and off work, with an inability to pay your medical and household bills. You may also be in pain, and uncertain when you can get back on your feet, meet your responsibilities, and when your life can return to normal.
It is not necessary for you to confront the complications that come with car accidents alone. The car accident attorneys at Lipkin & Apter are here to help you as you're dealing with the difficult decisions regarding insurance and investigative matters, and let you solely concentrate on getting well.
After you've been in a car accident, it is natural to have questions. For this reason, our lawyers put together a list of FAQs. If you have additional questions, please set up a free consultation with a car accident attorney at Lipkin & Apter:
How soon after my car accident do I need to hire an attorney?
The more serious your injury, the sooner you should hire an auto accident lawyer. Insurance companies - which are the payment source for an accident - do not wait passively after a serious car accident occurs to begin their investigation, assembling witness statements, and developing a theory under which they can defend paying your claim. Insurance companies are not “neutral” entities. Rather, they are driven by a desire for profit for their shareholders, profit that is reduced when claims have to be paid. Once an insurance company denies a claim, or decides that the value of your claim should be limited by your contributory negligence, it can take extra months or years, and considerable expense, to prove otherwise to them. The point is not that insurance companies are inherently unjust–they aren’t–but that they can look on evidence in a way favorable to their interests. Going it alone can sacrifice a successful case on the shoals of defeat, an outcome that can be avoided if you hire an attorney promptly after your accident. An experienced attorney will review all facets of the accident in order to best negotiate and resolve your insurance claim.
How can I afford to hire a car accident lawyer?
The car accident lawyers at Lipkin & Apter work on a contingent fee basis, which means that we get paid only if we successfully prosecute your case. We do not require a retainer. If you do not receive compensation, we do not receive a fee.
Who do I contact if I have questions regarding my case?
At some law firms, the person you talk with on the phone, and meet during the initial consultation, is not the attorney who will represent you if your case is accepted. In fact, you may never meet your attorney face to face. You may be asked to have your case referred to another law firm altogether. At Lipkin & Apter, we believe it is important for the client to be brought into the legal process to have trust and confidence in their auto accident lawyer. A trust and confidence that best develops when the client knows from the very beginning who their attorney is - and who to call with questions. We believe that trust is further developed when surprises, and unsupportable but easy-to-make promises, are not made. Our goal is for you to feel like you are being treated honestly, truthfully, and professionally.
How long will my case take?
Because so many lawsuits are filed in Cook County, it can take 2-4 years for your car accident case to appear for trial. Of course, settlement can occur at any time prior to trial. Our lawyers will communicate all settlement offers to you, and help you evaluate whether the offer is good, bad, or somewhere in between. We do not settle your case, you do - with our active input, information you have learned about the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and your life situation. Our goal is to equip you with information that will allow you to make the best possible choice for you and your family.
The attorneys at Lipkin & Apter are experienced and successful trial attorneys and negotiators. For a free consultation, call our Chicago law firm at (312) 624-9342 or contact us online.