Pawtucket Car Accident Lawyer
Were you recently injured in a car accident in Pawtucket, Rhode Island? You may have the right to recover compensation for your injuries and suffering. A Pawtucket car accident lawyer can help victims assert their legal rights, stand up to insurance companies and negligent parties, and recover compensation to help them get back on track after an accident.
- Updated date:
- September 19, 2024
For more than two decades, our award-winning Rhode Island trial attorneys have been Pawtucket’s leading advocates for accident victims and grieving families. We’re tenacious negotiators and even tougher in the courtroom, and our ability to achieve top results for our clients speaks for itself. Our law firm has recovered over $100 million in settlements and jury verdicts.
Let us take on the insurance company and at-fault parties for you. You’ll benefit from our client-care approach, our experience, and the resources we bring to each case. We offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation–call to schedule yours now. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
The experienced car accident lawyers at Marasco & Nesselbush are here to help you maximize your financial recovery.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Pawtucket?
When you’re involved in a car accident, navigating the legal landscape can be overwhelming, especially when you’re also dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and emotional stress. Hiring a car accident lawyer in Pawtucket offers unique advantages that can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
From local expertise and familiarity with the court system to personalized attention and aggressive representation, a specialized lawyer can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, don’t hesitate to seek the professional assistance of a Pawtucket car accident lawyer to navigate the complexities of your case and achieve the best possible outcome.
Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Pawtucket
The Pawtucket S-curve on Route 95 is the site of many car accidents, but these, and most other car accidents, can be avoided if drivers exercise more caution. Car accidents are generally the result of negligence, which is a person’s failure to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances.
Some of the factors that contribute to car accidents include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving, i.e., texting
- Drunk driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Unsafe turns
- Unsafe lane changes
- Road rage
- Driver unfamiliarity with the road and traffic laws
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Improper merging
Of course, factors outside of a driver’s control can sometimes contribute to a wreck. Vehicle defects, road construction, bad weather, and limited visibility can all lead to accidents.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
The steps you take right after an accident can not only help mitigate personal injuries you or others may have suffered, but they can also significantly improve your ability to recover damages due the negligence of other drivers.
Here’s what you should do after a car accident:
- Stay at the scene (or somewhere close by). Leaving the scene is considered a hit-and-run if it causes property damage, injury, or death.
- Seek emergency medical treatment if you are injured or help others injured get medical help. You can leave to take them to the hospital or arrange for help.
- Call 911 or report the accident to the local police. An officer will be dispatched to investigate and write up an accident report. You’ll want the details of your accident preserved before they’re lost or forgotten.
- Don’t apologize. You might be tempted to apologize out of the goodness of your heart, but resist the urge. Even an innocent “I’m sorry” can cause a serious headache down the line if you decide to pursue compensation.
- Take pictures, including pictures of the scene of the accident (including tire tracks and traffic signals), property damage, and your injuries. Record a video if you have the time.
- In addition to seeking immediate medical attention at the closest emergency room, visit your doctor as soon as possible for a follow-up. This will limit the risk of complications and ensure your injuries are documented promptly.
- Don’t accept an offer from an insurance company before you’ve contacted an attorney. Insurance companies aren’t on your side. They’re interested in getting you to settle for less than you deserve. An attorney can ensure that your rights are respected and help secure the financial recovery you deserve.
Finally, you should call the experienced Pawtucket car accident attorneys at Marasco & Nesselbush. We’ll be ready to step in and provide the legal assistance you deserve during this stressful time.
DO I HAVE A CASE?
If you think you may have a case, contact us now for a FREE consultation
What If An At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Rhode Island has one of the nation’s highest rates of uninsured drivers. According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 16.5% of Rhode Island drivers were uninsured in 2019.
What happens if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver? You have a few options, especially if you added Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UMC) to your car insurance policy.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage steps in and covers what the uninsured (or underinsured) driver’s policy would have. However, you can only receive benefits up to your policy limits. If you only bought the minimum amount required by Rhode Island law, the cost of your accident might exceed your own UMC coverage.
If that happens, you generally have two options:
- Filing a claim with another party’s insurance company
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the uninsured driver or another responsible party
The best way to cover your bases is by reaching out to our top-rated car accident attorneys for help after your wreck. We will exhaust your options for financial recovery and work to ensure you get the money you deserve.
What Type of Compensation Can Be Recovered?
After a car accident, victims often face a wide range of financial burdens and personal hardships. Understanding the types of compensation you may be eligible for is crucial in ensuring that you are fully compensated for your losses. Here’s an overview of the economic and non-economic damages you can recover:
Economic Damages
- Medical Expenses: This includes all current and future medical costs related to the accident, such as hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, prescription medications, physical therapy, and any necessary medical equipment.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can claim compensation for the income you’ve lost during your recovery period. This also includes any potential loss of future earnings if your injuries impact your ability to work long-term.
- Property Damage: You can recover the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident, such as electronics, clothing, or other items in the car at the time of the accident.
- Rehabilitation Costs: If you require ongoing rehabilitation services, such as occupational therapy, vocational training, or assistive devices to help you return to your daily activities, these costs can be included in your compensation claim.
- Travel Expenses: Any travel costs incurred due to the accident, such as trips to medical appointments or travel related to your case, can also be recovered.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and Suffering: This compensation accounts for the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve experienced as a result of the accident. It considers the severity of your injuries, the pain endured, and the impact on your quality of life.
- Emotional Distress: In addition to pain and suffering, you may be compensated for the psychological impact of the accident, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health issues stemming from the incident.
- Loss of Consortium: If the accident has negatively affected your relationship with your spouse, you may be eligible for compensation for loss of companionship, affection, and support.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This covers the loss of the ability to participate in activities and hobbies you once enjoyed before the accident. It considers how your injuries have affected your overall enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the at-fault party’s conduct was particularly egregious or reckless, you may be awarded punitive damages. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future. However, punitive damages are not available in all cases and typically require a higher burden of proof.
What Damages Can Be Recovered After A Car Accident?
After a car accident, you can generally recover damages for your financial losses, as well as hard-to-value trauma and adverse changes in your life. These are known as compensatory damages and are referred to as economic and non-economic damages, respectively.
Our car accident attorneys in Pawtucket will work to recover compensation for:
- Hospitalization and current medical bills
- Rehabilitation and future medical expenses
- Nursing assistance
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses, including travel required for medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Embarrassment
Marasco & Nesselbush has spent years cultivating professional relationships with leading medical experts and auto accident specialists in Rhode Island. When we take your case, we’ll leverage their expertise to fully understand what happened, why, and how your accident will affect your life. Their insight can help us secure a settlement or verdict that reflects your full past and future losses.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Pawtucket?
Under Rhode Island Statute § 9-1-36, the third anniversary of your car accident will be the deadline to file a claim for damages. Once the three-year statute of limitations expires, so does your opportunity to assert your rights and demand the compensation you deserve.
There are some limited exceptions to this rule, but it’s best to be safe and get a jumpstart on your case as soon as possible. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our legal team for help.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire A Car Accident Attorney?
Our car accident attorneys serving Pawtucket cost nothing upfront. We work on what’s called contingency. We front the costs of your car accident claim and assume the litigation risks. Our car accident attorneys only get paid if we win your case.
Your attorney’s fee will come right out of your financial recovery. It will be a pre-agreed-upon percentage, generally between 33 and 40%, which is the standard fee for law firms.
Many factors can influence the amount of your car accident settlement or verdict, including the costs Marasco & Nesselbush incurs for expert witnesses when representing you. Most importantly, car accident victims will face no out-of-pocket costs when represented by Marasco & Nesselbush in a car accident case. At Marasco & Nesselbush, we are proud to be transparent about our fees and continually work to make our top-rated legal services accessible and affordable for our clients.
How Marasco & Nesselbush’s Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you get into a wreck in Pawtucket, it’s vital to seek legal assistance. The odds will be stacked against you from the start and enlisting the help of a Pawtucket personal injury lawyer is the best way to help you get the settlement or verdict you deserve.
At Marasco & Nesselbush, we’ve built a reputation for being smart, strategic, and successful car accident attorneys with a demonstrated ability to win the most challenging cases.
When you hire our law firm to represent you after your Pawtucket car accident, we will:
- Handle every aspect of your car accident case so you can focus on recovering medically and financially
- Investigate your accident to determine why it happened and who’s at fault
- Gather photographs, video footage, accident reports, witness statements, medical records, physical evidence from the scene, and other information
that can help us build your case - Prepare and submit a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Defend you when the insurance adjuster or another party tries to shift blame to you
- Negotiate with other parties on your behalf
- Help you make important decisions about your case – like whether to accept a deal or push forward to trial
- Try your case in court in the event you’re not offered an appropriate settlement
We can help you win your car accident case and maximize your financial recovery. We can give you peace of mind while you concentrate on getting back on your feet. We can provide the guidance and support you need during this difficult time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know If I Have a Valid Claim?
Determining whether you have a valid claim after a car accident involves assessing several factors, including:
- Liability: Was the other driver at fault? Was there negligence or recklessness involved?
- Damages: Do you have measurable damages such as medical bills, lost wages, or property damage?
- Evidence: Do you have sufficient evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records, to support your claim?
Consulting with a car accident attorney can help you evaluate these elements and determine the strength of your case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire A Car Accident Attorney In Pawtucket?
The car accident attorneys at Marasco & Nesselbush in Pawtucket work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if you win your case. The fee is typically a percentage of the settlement or verdict. This arrangement ensures that legal representation is accessible, allowing you to focus on your recovery without worrying about upfront costs.
How Much Time Will It Take To Resolve My Car Accident Case?
The duration of a car accident case can vary widely depending on several factors:
- Complexity of the Case: Simple cases with clear liability and damages may be resolved within a few months, while complex cases involving serious injuries or disputes over liability can take longer.
- Court Schedules: The availability of court dates and the backlog of cases can also impact the timeline.
- Negotiations: Settlement negotiations with insurance companies can add to the timeline, though many cases are settled out of court.
Your attorney can provide a more accurate estimate based on the specifics of your case.
What If I’m Partially Responsible For A Car Accident In Pawtucket?
Rhode Island follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you are partially at fault, as long as you are less than 50% responsible. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your damages will be reduced by 20%.
Can I Claim Compensation for Emotional Distress?
Yes, you can claim compensation for emotional distress resulting from a car accident. This includes anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological impacts. To establish a claim for emotional distress, you will need medical evidence and expert testimony demonstrating the connection between the accident and your emotional injuries.
Call the Car Accident Attorneys at Marasco & Nesselbush for a Free Consultation!
You don’t have to deal with the aftermath of your car accident on your own. Whether you’ve suffered a catastrophic injury or lost a family member in a fatal accident, reach out to Marasco & Nesselbush for help immediately.
Our Pawtucket car accident lawyers are ready to invest the time, resources, and experience you’ll need to win your case and get the full financial recovery you deserve.
Contact us to speak to an attorney about your case now.
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