Frequently Asked Questions

Why are some settlements for similar injuries not the same as others?

There are many factors which affect the settlement of a case and while situations may appear to be similar often they are not. For instance, in an automobile accident case the degree of impact, the amount of property damage and the circumstances of each accident are some of the ways that situations will vary. In addition, the quality of the insurance company and even the difference between adjusters can make a huge difference in settlement value.

How can insurance companies be different?

In Illinois, we have three main categories of insurance companies. There are top-rated companies which will pay frequently and fairly on cases. There are medium grade companies that will sometimes pay. And, finally, there are substandard companies that will never pay money for injuries. The substandard companies will make claimants file a lawsuit and spend years in the court system. The Illinois Department of Insurance, for reasons only known to themselves, allows this situation to exist.

How are cases valued?

There are two main categories of injuries: Fractures (broken bones) and Soft Tissue (no broken bones). There are numerous factors that affect the value of each type of case. These factors are analyzed by lawyers who are experienced with cases that are tried before juries. Lawyers will value a case against what a jury is likely to award. The comparison to other known cases that were previously decided by juries is the only true yardstick in determining value.

What if I was injured in a car accident by a person who was not insured?

While Illinois requires every operator and owner of a car to have liability insurance, many people do not follow the law. However, if you have liability insurance and the person who causes the accident does not, you can make a claim against your own insurance company under the uninsured motorist section of your liability policy. This benefit gives you a means to recover damages from drivers with no insurance.

Why do cases take so long to resolve?

Lawyers must first wait to make sure that your injuries are either resolved or that you have reached a maximum medical improvement before proceeding with your case. At that point, we provide the insurance company with a copy of all your medical records and bills. Sometimes the insurance company wants to get their own copies even though the lawyer has sent his set to them. This process can take many months. Then, there are negotiations and fighting between the attorney and the insurance company. If the case cannot be settled, the case is filed in court where the process can take years due to the many cases that are filed.