When Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you have been injured through no fault of your own, you should consider contacting an attorney. Perhaps the most important time to speak to a personal injury lawyer is after you suffer a serious or catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence.

An injury lawyer in Providence can advise you of your rights and legal options, as well as the compensation you and your family may be entitled to as a result of your injuries. Situations in which you should contact an attorney as soon as possible include:

1. You Are Seriously Hurt

When you are injured in an accident, it can be difficult at first to know how serious the injury is. Even as you receive treatment, you are focused on the day-to-day aspects of your recovery, not the challenges you may face months, years, or even decades in the future.

If you pursue a claim for damages, you will need to present evidence of the seriousness of your injuries. An experienced injury lawyer at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell will fully evaluate your medical records and hire experts to assess your condition. Documentary evidence and expert testimony are both crucial for proving (a). how serious your injuries are and (b). how the injury may affect you long-term.

The medicine underlying serious and catastrophic injuries is complex. It may be in your best interest to contact an injury lawyer as soon as possible after you have been severely hurt. A knowledgeable attorney will work with your medical team to understand the scope of your injuries and possible impairments, gather evidence in support of your claim, and enlist relevant experts to testify to the severity of your impairment.

2. Disputed Liability

From careless drivers to negligent property owners, the at-fault parties in personal injury cases will often try to downplay or outright deny responsibility. As a result, defendants frequently contest liability.

If you pursue action against more than one party, they may try to pass the blame to avoid paying what your claim is worth. Alternatively, the party or parties may attempt to argue that you contributed to – or are wholly responsible for – the accident that led to your injuries.

In cases where serious injury is all but guaranteed, such as a truck accident, investigators, attorneys, and other agents of the defense will immediately begin their attempt to build a defense that runs counter to your interest.

Without an injury lawyer on your side, you can face immense difficulty holding the liable party or parties accountable. However, with qualified legal representation, you will have an advocate who can investigate on your behalf and collect evidence of negligence or wrongdoing on the part of those at fault.

3. You Receive a Low Settlement Offer

Another tactic commonly used to limit the amount paid on claims is to offer claimants a small settlement that only covers some of their damages. If you are faced with this situation, it is essential to speak to an injury lawyer before signing.

Personal injury victims are generally only aware of a portion of the compensation they may be able to recover. An experienced lawyer can advise you what kinds of damages you may be entitled to, as well as the potential value of your claim.

In some cases, an insurer may also deny your claim and refuse to offer a settlement at all. This is another situation where it is in your best interest to contact an injury lawyer.

4. Taking Your Case to Trial

Most personal injury claims are resolved through settlement negotiations between your lawyer and the insurance company. However, if no settlement is reached and you proceed to trial, it is essential to have an experienced trial lawyer who can take your case to court.

Many attorneys spend little to no time in the courtroom. With this in mind, you should always ask a prospective lawyer about his or her trial experience, including:

• How many cases have you taken to trial?
• How frequently do your cases settle vs. going to court?
• In how many cases were you the lead attorney at trial?
• Of the cases you have taken to trial, how many went to a verdict?
• How many cases have you won at trial?
• How many big verdicts do you have?

If going to trial is the best option for obtaining a favorable result in your case, you need to know that your injury lawyer will explore all of the options for recovering the compensation you deserve. The answers to these questions will help you determine if you can count on the attorney to fight for you in court.

Contact an Injury Lawyer in Providence Today

For more than 40 years, Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd has been serving clients in a wide variety of personal injury claims in Providence and throughout Rhode Island. Our team has an unparalleled record of recovery based in part on our understanding of the medicine behind serious injuries, and we aggressively pursue full compensation for all of the losses you and your loved ones have sustained.

View our multi-million-dollar settlements and trial results.

Please call Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd (401) 273-8330 to discuss your injury case. Your initial consultation is free.