Skilled Naperville
Personal Injury Attorneys

When you get in an accident of any kind, the reality of the matter is that the opposing party’s insurance company does not have your best interests at heart. Our lawyers do. Backed by a proven track record of success and millions of dollars recovered for injured clients throughout Illinois, we have the knowledge and skills to ensure your rights are protected and can maximize your chances of securing the fair compensation you need. We can investigate the cause of your accident and help you build the strongest claim possible, and if the opposition refuses to cooperate, we can take them to court. Most importantly, our attorneys can save you precious time and provide the support you need while you focus on what truly matters – your recovery.

Your case’s value will ultimately depend on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the value of your medical expenses and lost wages, the level of cooperation of the opposing insurance company, and the quality of your legal representation. It is best to consult with a knowledgeable attorney from our firm to get a rough estimate of your case and determine the most appropriate course of action.

Insurance companies use the terms "special damages" and "general damages" to describe the two different categories of compensation. Special damages, also known as economical damages, are fairly easy to calculate; simply add up all of your out-of-pocket expenses as a result of the accident that caused your injury. This includes the cost of your medical bills, property damage repairs or replacements, costs of services to handle tasks you're unable to do while incapacitated, and lost wages. General damages can be more complicated. These non-economical damages include pain and suffering trauma. There is no objective form of measurement, so typically most personal injury attorneys will add up the special damages and multiply the total by anywhere from two to five, depending on the severity of your injuries. The following symptoms would be considered pain and suffering after an injury:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Emotional distress, such as anxiety, panic attacks, and/or depression
• Nightmares
• Insomnia
• Inability to concentrate
• Loss of enjoyment and consortium
• Persistent physical pain
• Scarring or disfigurement

The length of time required to handle your case from start to finish will vary based on several factors, many of which are difficult to predict. You will need to have an accurate picture of how your injuries have affected you, so many lawyers will encourage you to wait until you have received all medical treatments for your injuries to begin settlement negotiations. While time consuming, this can help your attorneys to make the right demands and pursue an amount that fully compensates you for your losses. Additionally, the length of your case will depend on the level of cooperation of the at-fault party and their insurance company and whether your case needs to go to trial. Generally speaking, the more complex the case, the longer it will take to resolve.

Once you have been injured, you will generally need to file your personal injury claim within two years, though this time limit may sometimes be longer or shorter under rare circumstances. This is commonly known as a “statute of limitations.” Once the statute of limitations period expires, you will essentially lose your right to pursue legal action against the responsible party and you will be unable to recover compensation for your injuries. For this reason, it is important to get an attorney from our firm involved in your case early on after your injury to guard your rights and ensure your compliance with all applicable deadlines.

Most personal injury lawyers, including those at Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy, LLC, accept injury cases on a “contingency fee basis.” This means that you will not be required to pay anything upfront to retain the services of an attorney. Instead, your attorney will only require payment if they are successful in securing compensation on your behalf. This ensures that you will never be deprived of quality legal representation due to the inability to pay, while also motivating your attorney to secure the largest financial award possible for your case.