It’s one of the first questions people ask after an accident: Do I really need a personal injury lawyer, or can I handle this myself?
After more than forty years representing injured clients throughout Illinois, my honest answer is simple: in most situations, yes, a lawyer is worth it. Let me explain why.
What a Personal Injury Lawyer Actually Does
When you’re hurt in a crash, a fall, or a workplace incident, a lawyer’s job is to protect your rights from the start. That includes:
- Collecting police reports, photos, and witness statements before they disappear.
- Communicating with insurance companies so you don’t have to.
- Coordinating medical records and billing.
- Calculating every category of loss: medical costs, lost income, pain, and future care.
- Negotiating or litigating for a fair result.
People often underestimate how much evidence and paperwork goes into even a simple claim. A skilled lawyer keeps that process organized and complete, which directly affects the outcome.
Why Representation Changes the Outcome
Insurance carriers have adjusters and defense attorneys whose job is to pay as little as possible. They know the system; most injured people don’t.
Studies from the insurance industry itself show that represented claimants typically recover significantly more than those who go it alone, even after legal fees. The reason is straightforward: an attorney understands the value of future treatment, lost earning potential, and non-economic damages that insurers tend to ignore.
Situations Where a Lawyer Is Especially Valuable
You should strongly consider legal help if:
- You suffered more than minor bruises or pain that lasts beyond a few days.
- You missed work or expect to miss more.
- Your vehicle or property damage was extensive.
- The other driver or company denies fault.
- You are receiving ongoing medical care or physical therapy.
- An insurance adjuster is pressuring you to settle quickly.
Each of these factors can complicate a claim and lower your potential recovery if you try to handle it on your own.
When You Might Not Need Full Representation
If the accident was minor, there were no injuries, and the insurance company promptly pays for repairs, you may be able to settle the property damage portion yourself. Even then, a short consultation with a lawyer can confirm that no personal injury claim is being overlooked. Most consultations at Phillips Law Offices are free, so there is little downside in asking.
How Legal Fees Work
Personal injury lawyers in Illinois are typically paid on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing up front. The attorney’s fee is a percentage of the recovery that is agreed upon before the case begins. If you do not win, you owe no fee for legal services.
This arrangement allows injured people to access high-level legal help without risk.
Why Timing Matters
Illinois law generally gives you two years from the date of an injury to file a lawsuit. Delays can make it harder to locate witnesses, preserve evidence, or collect full medical records. Contacting a lawyer soon after an accident helps secure the proof you will need later.
My Perspective After Decades in This Work
In forty years of practice, I’ve met countless clients who tried to handle their cases alone. Nearly all of them came to me later frustrated by low offers or unpaid bills. Once an insurance company realizes that a lawyer is involved, the tone changes quickly. Representation adds credibility, leverage, and protection.
So yes, in most circumstances, hiring a personal injury lawyer is worth it, not because lawyers make the process easy, but because they make it fair.
About the Author
Stephen D. Phillips
Managing Partner, Phillips Law Offices, Chicago IL
Stephen D. Phillips has represented injury victims and families across Illinois for more than forty years. He has secured record verdicts and settlements and is a past president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.
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