If you’ve been hurt on the job, involved in a car accident, slipped and fallen in a store, or bitten by a dog, then you may have a case for a personal injury lawsuit.
If another party’s negligence caused your injury, you have the right to seek compensation for damages. Negligence can include anything from distracted driving to failing to fix a hole in the floor that causes you to trip. Compensation may include covering your medical bills, replacing personal property, and other losses.
To receive compensation, though, you’ll have to file a claim and have it resolved in your favor. Usually, this means hiring legal representation: an experienced personal injury lawyer.
If you’re looking for a lawyer, you may be nervous about paying the fees and wondering if your case is even worth the expense. Usually, the answer is yes, especially if you’re pursuing a case against a corporation or insurance company.
What are the benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney?
When you have a problem with your car, you visit a mechanic, and when you’re sick, you visit a doctor. The same thing applies to pursuing a lawsuit. If you’re seeking compensation through the court system, you need an advocate who understands the law to look after your interests.
The laws surrounding personal injury cases are complex, and in order to win, you need a strong case with the right kinds of supporting documentation.
Along with an in-depth knowledge of Rhode Island and federal statutes concerning personal injury law, you’ll also need a representative who understands how the court system works. An attorney will know how to meet specific deadlines, how to present your evidence, and how to negotiate with the other party’s lawyers.
You Need an Experienced Courtroom Advocate
Suppose your claim can’t be settled through arbitration and goes before a judge and jury. In those circumstances, a talented personal injury lawyer will be able to present your case in an easy-to-follow manner to the jury. They’ll ensure that the facts are presented in the best possible light and counter any defendant’s arguments.
In most cases, you aren’t presenting your claim against another person but rather against a business. This might be the store where you slipped and fell or your workplace where you were hurt on the job. These companies likely have entire legal departments experienced in defending the business against lawsuits.
If you were injured through the actions of another person, such as by a vehicle collision or dog bite, that person will likely have legal representation. Hiring your own lawyer evens the playing field.
Personal Injury Lawyers Have the Experience You Need
Knowing how much your case is worth is part of the expertise your personal injury lawyer provides. Choose a lawyer with experience working with your particular type of injury. They know how much cases like yours typically settle for and what figure to place on your damages.
For example, calculating medical costs is fairly straightforward since you can add up the doctor’s bills. However, missed work, diminished quality of life, or punitive damages can be harder to quantify.
If you’re planning to pursue your case by yourself, you could be in danger of overclaiming, which can lead to your case being dismissed or reduce your chance of getting an out-of-court settlement. Or you could underclaim and not end up with enough money to cover your medical care and loss of property and wages.
Getting in touch with a personal injury lawyer also saves you time. Instead of responding to all of the paperwork filed by the other party by yourself, your lawyer handles this for you. They ensure that the responses are accurate and on time while protecting your interests. Instead of worrying about making your case, you can focus on healing and recovery.