How Do I Find a Good Personal Injury Lawyer in Rhode Island?
Thousands of incidents happen every day. A majority of them are minor, perhaps resulting in bumps and bruises, but far from life-altering. Some, however, are catastrophic, resulting in excessive medical bills, an inability to support yourself, and untold amounts of pain and suffering. When you suffer this type of injury, having a personal injury lawyer on your side is often the best way to seek the full compensation you will need to recover.
An effective personal injury attorney serves several purposes, not the least of which is helping you navigate the complexities of legal procedures to ensure that your case is handled appropriately. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer will also offer invaluable guidance on how to secure the compensation you truly deserve by considering both the immediate and the long-term impacts of your injury: physical, financial, and emotional.
Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell Is Here to Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in Providence or a nearby area of Rhode Island, call Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell at (401) 273-8330 for a FREE and comprehensive evaluation of your case. Our experienced and compassionate personal injury lawyers are here to listen to your story, consider all of your damages, and guide you toward the most effective way to seek the compensation you deserve.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
When faced with a serious injury, the ramifications can extend far beyond immediate medical expenses. Life-altering injuries often come with a profound emotional impact, compounded by the stress of lost income and the daunting prospect of long-term rehabilitation. When your injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, it is neither just nor fair for you to shoulder these burdens without assistance.
Major injuries—such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, severe burns, and amputation—deserve the attention of an experienced legal team. This is because severe injury cannot be covered through formulaic calculations, which are the standard practice of insurance companies. Instead, they must consider how your injury has and will continue to impact your health, happiness, and quality of life.
Factors that a personal injury lawyer will take into account include both tangible and intangible damages, such as:
- Immediate and long-term medical expenses
- Financial stability and future security
- Emotional and psychological struggles
- Physical discomfort and chronic pain
The trauma of an injury can lead to significant emotional distress. This may manifest as anxiety, depression, or even PTSD, affecting you and your family members. A personal injury lawyer understands these hardships and works not only to secure financial compensation but also to acknowledge and address these emotional sufferings in your claim.
The Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
The legal system is incredibly complex, especially in personal injury cases. A knowledgeable attorney navigates these complexities on your behalf. They understand the intricacies of the law, how to effectively negotiate with insurance companies, and how to present your case in the best possible light. Their assistance can be the difference between a settlement that barely covers your medical bills and one that provides compensation for all you’ve endured.
A good personal injury attorney brings experience and negotiation skills to the table, leveling the playing field while fighting for a settlement that truly reflects the extent of your losses.
Having a personal injury attorney on your side helps ensure that every aspect of your injury, both seen and unseen, is acknowledged and addressed. In the complex aftermath of a life-changing injury, having an experienced attorney by your side can make all the difference in your journey to recovery and justice.
How Do I Find a Reputable Personal Injury Lawyer in My Area?
The best way to find a personal injury attorney in your area is through an Internet search. Google and Bing have default localization, allowing you to search things like “personal injury attorney near me” or “Providence personal injury lawyers” to find countless results in and around your location.
Things to Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer
When you look at a law firm’s website, take time to look for:
The Firm’s Track Record
If you’ve been severely injured through no fault of your own, you need to know your attorney can deliver the full and fair compensation to which you may be entitled. Before you choose a law firm, it’s crucial to know its history of success.
Reviews and Testimonials
You can’t trust everything you read on the internet, but online reviews are a good place to start for your attorney appraisal. Google and Facebook are two of the largest and most recognized sources for reviews of personal injury lawyers and law firms. A high percentage of positive reviews can suggest a level of expertise in personal injury law and client service.
Use your best judgment. Take the time to look beyond the number of stars to see what clients actually have to say about their experiences. When reading attorney reviews online, consider the reviewer’s:
- Authenticity. Does the review read like it was written by an actual client, rather than a friend or employee of the firm?
- Case type. No two cases are the same, but it’s important to compare clients’ experiences with cases as similar to yours as possible.
- Specificity. Single-sentence reviews don’t offer much insight into what you can expect from an attorney. Look for reviews that clearly describe a client’s experience with the lawyer or firm.
- Satisfaction. Was the client satisfied with the results and service he or she received? Would the client recommend this firm or attorney to a friend or loved one?
- Response from the Firm. Regardless of whether the review was good or bad, did the firm respond? If so, was the response professional and respectful? This can provide insight into how the firm treats its clients.
Verify Credentials
Visit the Rhode Island State Bar Association website. There, you can confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice in Rhode Island (an obvious must). Once you’re on the site, select the Attorney Directory tab and enter the name of your potential lawyer.
Checking Disciplinary History
Once you’ve confirmed that a lawyer is licensed to practice in Rhode Island, you can visit the Rhode Island Judiciary website to find out if there have been any disciplinary actions taken against the attorney. Follow the Attorney Search link under the Public Resources tab in the navigation. After filling out the appropriate fields, you will find details about the lawyer and his or her disciplinary history.
Interview the Law Firm During Your Free Consultation
At the end of the day, you want to find a lawyer you can trust and with whom you feel comfortable. An initial consultation with a prospective attorney is your chance to learn about the firm you are considering and the confidence you can place in them to achieve results.
Consider the following questions when talking to a personal injury lawyer for the first time:
- What are your fees?
- What percentage of your practice is dedicated to personal injury claims?
- How much experience do you have in personal injury cases like mine?
- What is my case worth?
- How long will it take to resolve my case?
- Who will handle my case?
- Will my case go to trial?
- What is your success rate at trial?
- How many large verdicts have you won?
Your initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer should be FREE of both cost and obligation. The decision to hire an attorney is yours alone, and every lawyer you speak with should respect that fact. Remember, the right lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case and your overall experience during this challenging time.
What Sets Our Providence Personal Injury Lawyers Apart?
Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell has served clients in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases for more than 45 years. Our exclusive focus on personal injury law gives your case a competitive edge at the negotiating table and in the courtroom. We know how to build your best case. We aren’t intimidated by big insurance companies, and we never back down from a fight.
Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell has achieved unsurpassed results in the field of personal injury law in Rhode Island. Our attorneys have been recognized as among the best personal injury lawyers by several prestigious organizations, including Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Rhode Island Monthly. We understand the keys to success and we put that knowledge to work for you.
We pride ourselves on being accessible and responsive, recognizing that the challenges you face extend beyond the courtroom. Our clients are not just cases; they are individuals with stories that deserve to be heard and respected. We stand for equality, fairness, and justice, giving voice to those who need it most. These values transcend words. They are the principles that guide us in every action we take on behalf of our clients.
In the journey to justice, we are not just personal injury lawyers. We are partners, advocates, and an unwavering source of support.
Contact Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell for a FREE Consultation
If you’re looking for a personal injury lawyer in Providence or a nearby area of Rhode Island, the team at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell is here to assist you. Contact us online for a FREE consultation to learn more about your options and rights.