The following frequently asked questions answer some of the many questions our clients have had in the past.  However, this information is of a general nature only and is not intended to respond to your specific facts.  If you would like to discuss your specific facts with us, please call  (312) 492-7700 and ask to speak directly with Mr. Becker.

After reviewing the FAQ's we encourage you to call Mr. Becker at (312) 492-7700 or complete our  online injury information questionnaire .  Mr. Becker will review your preliminary information and follow up with you to discuss your case.

NOTE: You should not give a "statement" or a description of the accident to the responsible driver's insurance investigator. Often times insurance investigators will attempt to steer your responses, so such a statement is more likely to hurt you than to help you.

As with other injuries, your primary concern should be your health, and you should seek medical attention immediately. Before leaving work, however, you should report the injury to your employer. Although similar, work-related injuries are handled through a somewhat different legal process, which an attorney can explain to you. As soon as is possible, you should contact an attorney.

The initial source of payment will be your health insurance company, if you have medical coverage. When your case is settled, or a judgment is obtained, your insurance company will be reimbursed out of the settlement proceeds. If you do not have insurance, medical providers will often render you medical treatment so long as the fees will be paid once the case is settled or resolved.

Most attorneys (including Leonard Becker) handle personal injury matters on a "contingency basis." This means that you do not pay anything for legal services unless and until the attorney obtains a settlement or judgment for you. Then, the fee will be a percentage of the settlement or judgment. Typically, for non-work-related injuries, the contingency fee is one-third. This fee may rise to forty percent if litigation or arbitration is required. The contingency fee for work-related claims is twenty percent.

Any time a case goes to trial, there is a chance you will lose. As such, attorneys and their clients attempt to settle cases. Mr. Becker has an excellent track record of settling cases without the need for trial. Often times these settlements are a result of Mr. Becker demonstrating to the insurance company that, if the case were to go to trial, he may obtain a large judgment for his client. In some situations, when an insurance company is unwilling to settle, Mr. Becker will take the case to trial in an effort to obtain the maximum compensation possible. Approximately 95% of Mr. Becker's personal injury cases settle without needing a trial.

There is no automatic formula to determine how much a case will bring in settlement. Factors include the amount of time missed from work, the amount of medical bills, how the injury affected the claimant's life, and whether or not the injury was permanent. There are countless other factors that will determine how big or small a settlement or judgment will be, and you should discuss your case with an attorney to determine what the likely range is for your case.

You should contact an attorney as soon as you are medically able to do so. If you are unable to contact an attorney yourself, a family member can call. If you are unable to travel to meet with an attorney, Mr. Becker can arrange to visit you at your home or hospital.

There is no legal requirement for individuals to hire an attorney to handle their case, and some people do handle their own legal affairs. However, an attorney can employ several advantages to advocate your claim. First, a qualified attorney levels the playing field when dealing with insurance companies. Insurance companies have resources, experience, and training that an individual typically does not have. A qualified attorney can often times match these advantages. Second, insurance companies are likely to take advantage of the un-represented victim and offer to settle for less than a reasonable amount. Insurance companies are more likely to settle a case when a victim is represented by a qualified attorney, and the settlement offered will likely be higher. Third, an attorney can determine and advocate for all the losses associated with an accident. An insurance adjuster knows that a person without a lawyer is typically not able to stand up for themselves in court, and that they are unaware of the full settlement potential of their own case. Victims owe it to themselves to seek qualified representation.

You are unlikely to benefit from talking with insurance company representatives. Your best bet is to speak with an attorney first. Then, your attorney can relay information to the insurance company in a way that is likely to result in the best financial settlement for you. The insurance company is trying to keep your recovery small, and they have people working hard against you. Before you consider speaking with them, you should get someone working hard for you.

If you would like Leonard S. Becker to review the facts of your case, call him directly at (312) 492-7700 or visit our confidential injury information questionnaire and submit your information.  Mr. Becker will review the facts you present and respond within 24 hours to let you know.

Leonard S. Becker is experienced to help you in your time of need.
Contact him at (312) 492-7700 today.