An accident can change your life in an instant. In addition to dealing with physical injuries, emotional distress, medical costs and financial loss, you will be forced to immediately make several important decisions. If you are feeling stressed and confused, you are not alone. At Sheeley Law, we frequently get calls from people in need of advice following their accident. Below, we address the two most common questions: should I hire a personal injury attorney? And, what will a personal injury attorney do for me? Even if you have not been in an accident, this article is worth the read. That way, if the unexpected does occur, you will be better prepared. As always, Rhode Island personal injury attorney Ann Sheeley is here for you 24/7 to answer your specific questions.
Should I hire a personal injury attorney?
If you were injured in an accident, whether it be a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian accident, a slip and fall, an animal attack, a botched medical procedure, or some other type of accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should be entitled to some amount of compensation. However, the amount you receive in a settlement can vary greatly depending on the severity of your injuries and if you have legal representation. In most situations, it is worth your time to hire an experienced personal injury attorney to represent you and your case. Below we outline a few different scenarios:
If your injuries are severe: If your injuries were serious enough to require hospitalization or surgery, if they caused permanent damage or, in the worst-case scenario, resulted in wrongful death, the most important thing you can do is to hire a reputable attorney that specializes in Personal Injury. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers who will scrutinize every aspect of your case and look for reasons to justify a low settlement offer. Statistics prove that the amount you receive will be higher if you have a skilled personal injury attorney representing you and your claim.
If you believe your injuries are minor: Many people are reluctant to hire a lawyer for injuries that seem relatively minor. It is not uncommon that your bruises or sore neck get worse over time. Furthermore, you may still incur medical expenses or miss work as a result of your minor injuries. You deserve to be compensated for any disruption to your life if the accident was not your fault. Many personal injury firms, like Sheeley Law, offer free consultations. It will be well worth your time to contact a personal injury attorney for guidance.
If you are not sure who's at fault: If you are unsure whether or not the accident was your fault, you should still consult a personal injury attorney. Rhode Island is a “pure comparative negligence” state, meaning it does not require the other party to be 100% at fault for you to have a legitimate case.
Ask yourself:
Are you unable to work or attend school?
Do you have medical and other outside expenses due to your injury/injuries?
Did your injury/injuries require hospitalization or surgery?
Did you suffer serious or permanent injury/injuries?
Did you suffer any emotional distress as a result of your accident?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, it is worth your time to hire an experienced personal injury attorney, such as Sheeley Law.
What will a personal injury attorney do for me?
A personal injury attorney serves to help you in multiple ways. First, this area of law is complex and time consuming. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney will carefully review all the details and evidence of your case and work every angle to ensure you are fairly compensated. For example, most drivers are grossly under-insured for liability and SUM (supplemental underinsured/uninsured motorist) coverage. If the at-fault driver only has a $25,000 liability policy, this may not be enough to cover your medical expenses. However, you may be able to collect additional money from your own insurance policy’s SUM coverage. This is just one of the many tools an attorney can leverage to help secure the highest settlement possible.
Importantly, your attorney will be by your side every step of the way and guide you through the entire process. Our goal is to reduce your stress so you can focus on your medical treatment and healing. You should not have to face billion-dollar insurance companies on your own. We deal directly with the adjusters and their team of attorneys and negotiate hard on your behalf.
Above all, a reputable personal injury attorney will protect your rights, ensure you receive proper medical care and fight to get you maximum compensation for your losses, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and loss of any future income.
Every day, people suffer injuries as the result of someone else’s carelessness. More often than not, you should hire a personal injury attorney, even if your injuries are minor. Keep in mind that you pay nothing out-of-pocket to your attorney unless your accident case is successful.
Rhode Island Personal Injury Attorney Ann Sheeley has more than 25 years of experience representing clients involved in car, truck, bicycle, motorcycle and pedestrian accidents and she has a proven track record of delivering results because when it comes to you and your family, “Results Matter.” In court and in settlement negotiations, she will be your advocate, standing up for your rights and interests at all times. For more information and a free consultation, contact us at 401-619-5555 or asheeley@sheeleylaw.com.