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When a car accident happens, you need to respond the right way. If the accident is the fault of another driver or someone else, you may want to get help from an Apponaug car accident lawyer. With an Apponaug personal injury lawyer at your side, you may request damages from an at-fault party.
The team at Gemma Law Associates, Inc. has decades of personal injury case experience. If you have been hurt in an auto accident caused by someone else, we may be able to help you pursue damages. To learn more, reach out to us.
Car Insurance Requirements
It is mandatory to have Rhode Island car insurance coverage. If you drive a car in the state, you must be insured. Otherwise, if you cause an accident, you may be solely responsible for any harm you cause.
Following an auto accident, it may be best to get the other driver’s auto insurance information. If the driver caused your accident, you may get compensation through their insurer. To do so, you can notify your insurance company about your accident, and they will get in touch with the at-fault party’s insurer.
There are instances where a liable driver’s insurance policy will not pay for all of your accident-related losses or a motorist is operating a vehicle without coverage. In either of these situations, you may have to file a lawsuit to get damages. An Apponaug car accident attorney can review your case and help you figure out if now is the right time to submit a claim.
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving ApponaugCall 401.467.2300
When to File a Car Accident Claim
Per Rhode Island General Laws §9-1-14, you may have up to three years from the date of your accident to seek damages. For example, a motorist may speed past a red light and crash their vehicle into yours. In this scenario, you may submit a claim within three years of your accident.
A car accident lawyer in Apponaug can help you file your claim before your window to do so expires. They may encourage you to ask for economic and non-economic damages. You may get damages based on your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other quantifiable and subjective losses.
How much you get in an auto accident claim depends on a variety of factors. At Gemma Law Associates, Inc., we can help you request the maximum amount of damages. For more information, contact us today.
Apponaug Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 401.467.2300
What Your Claim Is Worth
To figure out how much your case is worth, a car accident attorney in Apponaug will account for your immediate and long-term losses. There are many reasons why plaintiffs request damages in auto accident cases. These include:
- Car repairs or replacement
- Emotional trauma
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
Filing a claim does not guarantee you will secure damages. You are responsible for providing evidence that supports your request for compensation. If you provide a wealth of proof, you may compel a judge or jury to rule in your favor.
Proving Negligence
You must craft a compelling argument since this will put you in a great position to get the best case results. An attorney can help you build your argument and gather evidence to support it. They may work with you to find ways to show a judge or jury that the following elements of negligence were present at the time of your car accident:
- Duty of Care: This means the defendant had a legal obligation to avoid careless and reckless acts.
- Breach of Duty of Care: When this happens, the defendant violated their obligation and put you at risk.
- Causation: The defendant’s actions led to your accident.
- Damages: Due to the defendant’s actions, you are dealing with economic or non-economic damages or both.
Much in the way that you will prepare an argument, the defendant in your case will do the same. They will look for ways to dispute your claim and prove you are fully responsible for your accident. Regardless, your attorney keeps your best interests at the forefront of your mind, working with you to help you convince a judge or jury that you deserve the maximum amount of damages.
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How Comparative Negligence Applies to a Car Accident Case
According to Rhode Island General Laws §9-20-4, comparative negligence may affect how much money you get based on your car accident claim. You may recover damages from a liable party, even if you are primarily responsible for your accident. Alternatively, a judge or jury may choose to award you only a portion of the damages that you originally requested.
As an example, a judge or jury may rule that you are 30% at fault for your auto accident. At this time, you may receive 70% of the damages you sought. As a result, you may have to cover some of your accident-related expenses out of your own pocket.
Your lawyer commits time and resources to craft an argument that shows you are in no way liable for your accident. They may have a preponderance of evidence that helps you prove this point. If the defendant has concerns about the strength of your case, they may offer a fair settlement.
Car Accident Case Settlement
You do not have to accept a settlement. However, there are times when it may be a good idea to do so. Your lawyer can advise you on what to do with a settlement offer, but you make the final decision on whether to move forward with it.
If you get a settlement, you may want to discuss it with your lawyer. A settlement may be well short of what you need to recover from your accident, and if so, your Apponaug car accident attorney will let you know. On the other hand, if a settlement meets your expectations, you may want to accept it and close your case.
Keep in mind that social media and your Rhode Island personal injury case may go hand in hand. If you post content on X, Facebook, and other social networks about your case, you may hurt your chances of getting a fair settlement offer. Your Apponaug car accident lawyer may urge you to stay off of social media until your case is resolved.
Partner with a Lawyer
Do not wait too long after your auto accident to request legal help. At Gemma Law Associates, Inc., we are here to assist you with your car accident claim. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today.
Call or text 401.467.2300 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form