Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Accidents

Q: I was injured in a car accident.  What should I do?

A: If you were involved in any car accident, whether you believe you may have a claim or not, call the law offices of Mannis & Associates, Ltd.   Let our experienced Chicago, Illinois car crash attorneys ask you a few questions - the right questions, and they can determine what claims you may have using their experience and knowledge of auto accident claims.  Call now! Your rights and claims are disappearing quickly. 

Q: I don’t have much money or I don’t believe I can afford a lawyer.  Can you still help me? 

A: You can’t afford not to have an attorney. The moment you are in a car crash, lines have been drawn and you are unwilling participant in a legal process. The process is already working without you. Every insurance company employs experienced adjusters and attorneys, whose sole responsibility is to protect the financial interests of the insurance company.  Insurance companies are in business to make money, and the less they pay on claims, the greater their profit margin.  

We charge no fee unless and until you recover damages, ao you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by hiring Chicago's car accident attorneys, Mannis & Associates, Ltd., as soon as practical after being injured in an accident.  All fees are contingent on your recovery.  In other words, we don’t get paid until you do.  We require nothing up front, no down payments or retainers.  We will work on your behalf and we earn no money and take no fees unless and until you win or settle your case.  Our attorneys’ fees are based on a percentage of what is collected in your case. So, if for some reason you do not collect any money, there is no attorneys’ fees for any the services we provide. 

Q: How much is my claim/case worth? 

A:  The value of an auto accident injury claim depends on several different factors, as well as which insurance company (or companies) are involved. The difference between a "claim" and a "case" or lawsuit is that a claim is filed with an insurance company, a lawsuit or case is filed and heard by a third party (such as a court, arbitrator or mediator). If you are involved in a car crash, seek legal advice about the potential value of your claim. The Chicago auto accident attorneys at Mannis & Associates, Ltd. will give you their thoughts and careful analysis based on their 24 years of experience and knowledge as a Chicago car accident lawyer and arbitrator for car crash claims.  

While each insurance company  values auto accidents differently, there are several basic factors taken into consideration in each claim or case: What is the extent of your injuries? How much treatment have you had and when did you first seek treatment? A delay of just a few days can completely drain any value out of your claim or case so seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. What are the results of your medical tests and what is your prognosis? Will there be any lingering medical, physical, mental or emotional effects? Which insurance company is the claim made against? What are the facts and circumstances of the accident?    

There is no simple answer. However, once all of your treatment is completed, Mannis & Associates, Ltd. will give you their thoughts and professional estimate. Call (888) 646-9632 now for a free initial consultation. 

Q: How long will it take to get my case resolved? 

A:  As a client of Mannis & Associates, Ltd. we will seek the fastest, successful resolution for your case, including pursuing a fair and reasonable settlement.  However, it is not in your best interests to consider settlement until you have completed treatment for your injuries. In the meantime, we always prepare every case fully as if it were going to all the way through litigation; such preparation often yields a fair and reasonable settlement.   We will prepare your claim and offer you assurance and guidance while undergoing treatment. At the end of your treatment, we will tell you our estimate of a fair and reasonable settlement offer. With over 24 years of experience and having served as an arbitrator  on over 500 accident cases, we know how to determine a fair and reasonable settlement of your claim and bring your case to a successful conclusion.    

Q: Is it a good idea to settle the matter between drivers, and not involve my insurance?  

A: If your car accident was a minor one, you and the other driver may consider not involving your insurance companies and handle the damages yourselves. But this may not be the best idea. There is no guaranty that the other party will live up to their word, particularly after seeing the repair bills and deciding their too high or they do not have the money. At this point, you and your insurance company will have more difficulty piecing together the evidence. 

Worse yet, too much time may have passed and you risk being denied because you did not notify your insurance company within the time limits set in your policy or your insurance company could claim you are not "cooperating" with pursuing your claim against the other driver.  

Also, keep in mind that you have no way of knowing whether another driver will change their mind and report the accident to their insurance company. The other driver (and their insurance company) may have the head start and may even claim injuries that weren't apparent at the scene of the accident. This means that your insurance company may end up paying him a hefty settlement or worse yet, you could be dragged into a lawsuit. So make sure to check your policy and notify your insurance company within the time limits required. Be sure that they have your version of what happened even if you do not pursue a claim.  

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS