After a life-altering or costly accident, many people decide to bring lawsuits against the responsible party. By doing so, they can gain settlements that help them get back to normal, and which help them from entering into financial ruin through no fault of their own. However, many people still do not understand why it’s so important to hire a personal injury attorney during these lawsuits and procedures. To guide you, here are seven scenarios where you must hire a personal injury attorney:

1. You’re Uncertain of How High of a Settlement You’re Entitled To

Trying to determine how much money you’re entitled to after experiencing an accident that’s no fault of your own can be a difficult ordeal. Without the skills needed to examine previous settlements, and to look into the finances involved in your situations, figuring out how high you can push your settlement request (realistically) becomes much more frustrating. By locating an attorney serving the greater Chicago area, you’ll receive a settlement that can truly help you take your life back post-accident, and help you invest in your future as well.

2. You Need to Have Your Claim Expedited

There are plenty of scenarios where a person simply cannot wait for months for their case to be settled and to receive the restitution they need. Crazy expensive medical bills, a need for equipment to deal with life post-accident, and lost wages can all begin to build up in the wake of a serious accident. In these cases, you’ll need your trial and settlement decision expedited if at all possible. A professional, experienced personal injury attorney will know how to help you more quickly move through insurance red tape, witness testimony, legal paperwork, and other potential delays.

3. Medical Care is Needed Immediately

Related to what we’ve already discussed above, your most pressing need post-accident will be quality, effective medical care/treatment. In more extreme cases, you’ll be receiving them immediately whether you can afford the care or not, as medical intervention is needed to save your life. By getting a personal injury attorney, you can get that care more quickly, and feel more assured that you’ll actually receive a settlement that will help cover the costs shortly. After all, you should never delay medical treatment that will keep your already-costly injury from becoming even more devastating.

4. Paying Up Front is a No-Go

Many people are not flush with cash these days. Trying to pay court costs and other expensive fees while representing yourself in a personal injury lawsuit is far beyond the reach of most normal people. Thankfully, many personal injury attorneys do their work without the need for upfront payment. Some may even only take a fee if they can successfully get you the settlement you’re looking for. Be sure to ask upfront during consultations to ensure you understand the payment setup that you’re getting into.

5. You Want Someone to Represent You in Court

Speaking of representing yourself, this is never a good idea. Especially in a situation as potentially red-tape-filled as a personal injury lawsuit. Finding someone you can trust to represent you will ensure you have a higher chance of success and will allow you to focus on healing and getting back to your normal life. Additionally, these professionals will ensure that you’re not left in the dark about how the procedures are going. Trying to digest the deluge of information being thrown at you during court procedures will make your head hurt quickly if you try to undertake this intensive process all on your own (and with no prior experience)!

6. You Were Struck by a Drunk Driver

Some of the most common personal injury lawsuits revolve around DUI accidents and the injuries that happen due to them. Given the (unfortunately) common nature of these lawsuits, personal injury lawyers are especially quick about dealing with them. If you need therapy, physical medical care, and other support post-DUI, you’ll find a lot of bang for your buck by investing in a quality personal injury lawyer. In the aftermath of this type of accident, you deserve to get all of the support you need to get back to a healthy state.

Lawyer Up to Receive the Settlement You Deserve

By lawyering up, you’ll get the settlement amount needed to take your life back, and pay all the bills and fees that have accrued in your life post-accident. Thankfully, a professional, knowledgeable personal injury attorney will be prepared to keep you calm and assured during this stressful journey. With the right work and know-how, you’ll have the settlement you deserve in no time.