Personal Injury Blog

Recently d’Oliveira & Associates attorney, D. Robin Gouveia, obtained a $100,000 settlement from Commerce and Geico Insurance for a New Bedford, MA man, who was injured in a motorcycle accident. Our client, who had the right of way, was struck by a vehicle coming from a side street. He sustained a fractured leg and extensive road rash. After he received emergency medical care, he contacted our New Bedford motorcycle accident lawyers to assist him with this painful situation. Attorney D. Robin Gouveia and paralegal Maricza began helping this client through the legal process.     Attorney D. Robin Gouveia said, “We determined the Defendant’s policy limits very quickly and made a demand for that amount due to the severity of the client’s injuries. Once we secured the limits from the tortfeasor, we pursued the client’s Underinsured Motorist coverage and secured the remaining exposure of the policy limits.  Thereafter, we negotiated with lienholders and put a settlement package together for the client to maximize his net recovery.” An accident for a motorcyclist can be a life-altering event. That is why our attorney’s take these, and all personal injury matters, very seriously. For more information on how we can assist you, read our Massachusetts Motorcycle Accident webpage. Contact a New Bedford Motorcycle Accident Lawyer If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical costs, pain and suffering and lost earnings, among other related losses. Our New Bedford Motorcycle Accident Lawyers will negotiate with the insurance companies to get you all that you deserve. There is no cost to you unless we win your case and you receive a settlement or an award. Call our New Bedford office at 508-984-8400 or fill out an online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.

A truck accident can result in major or even fatal injuries. The process for filing a legal claim for compensation in a truck accident can often be significantly different than in a car accident. A person who is involved in one of these accidents, often an occupant of a smaller vehicle – could become very seriously injured. If you or a loved one has been injured, your immediate need may be medical help. However, there are several steps you need to take and pitfalls you need to avoid, so your truck accident claim is not jeopardized. There are a number of actions you can take to protect your rights soon after a truck accident. Call the Police When you are involved in an accident, including a truck accident, one of the first steps to take is to call 911. This will trigger a response to the scene, which typically includes police and emergency responders. Take this action even if you believe you haven’t suffered any major injuries. This will make sure that a police report is generated. In many cases, police officers will investigate the scene, question witnesses and all those involved in the accident and generate a report, which will often contain the officer’s determination as to what happened and who appeared to be at fault. This information can be extremely valuable should you choose to file a truck accident claim in the future. Get Prompt Medical Attention Get a medical evaluation of yourself and your passengers even if you don’t believe you’ve been injured. A number of injuries suffered in truck accidents may not surface right away but may be felt hours or even days after the accident. Do not decline medical attention at the scene. If you have suffered injuries that need immediate attention, go to the emergency room right away. Getting medical attention, care and treatment for your accident-related injuries not only helps put you on the road to recovery but also document the types of injuries you suffered in the accident and the type of treatment you received. Document Evidence at the Accident Scene This type of evidence may include photos and videos of the scene; information about the other driver’s name, home address, phone number and email address; insurance company information for others involved; license numbers; name and contact number for the truck driver’s employer and trucking company; and the truck’s license plate number and other identifying information. It would also be a good idea to get contact information for anyone who may have witnessed the truck accident. Be Careful What You Say Never acknowledge fault to anyone at the scene. Anything you say can and often will be used against you. It is a good idea to keep a cool head after an accident so that you can avoid saying something that could potentially jeopardize your case. Do report the incident to your auto insurance company as soon as possible. However, you are under no obligation to share all the details. Remember that your insurance company is not a friend. Their goal is often to save money, which means they may use time-tested strategies to minimize the value of your claim. The only person who is on your side after a truck accident is your truck accident lawyer. Avoid Posting on Social Media If you have been involved in a truck accident, it is best to avoid posting anything about it on your own social media networks that may indicate your physical or emotional condition or how you think an accident may have happened. Remember, there is no such thing as absolute privacy. What you say on social media can be used against you in court. Even if you delete something, screenshots of the post may exist. It is best to be discreet on social media. Even posts that are unrelated to your accident may be used against you. Call a Rhode Island Truck Accident Lawyer One of the most important steps to take after a truck accident is to contact an experienced Rhode Island Truck Accident Lawyer who will advise you about how to proceed with your claim and also educate you about the pitfalls you can avoid. Your truck accident lawyer can help preserve crucial evidence such as the truck’s event data recorder or black box, the driver’s logs, or the truck’s maintenance records, which could all help tell the story of how the accident happened and who was at fault. The experienced truck accident lawyers at d’Oliveira & Associates have helped victims and their families secure maximum compensation for their losses, including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, permanent injuries and pain and suffering. Because a truck accident could involve multiple parties and federal trucking regulations can be complex, it is imperative to contact a lawyer who has successfully handled truck accident cases. Call our office at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out an online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.

Recently d’Oliveira & Associates attorney, D. Robin Gouveia, obtained a $100,000 settlement from Progressive Insurance for a Fall River, MA woman, who was injured in a car accident. Our client was a passenger of a vehicle that was slammed by another vehicle. As a result, she sustained injuries to her back. Within a week of the accident, she called our firm asking for legal help. Attorney D. Robin Gouveia said, “We obtained and confirmed the Defendant’s policy limits quickly and made a demand for the limits due to the severity of the injuries.  Despite the insurer attempting to settle under the limits, we held firm on our demand.  We advocated for our client and was able to persuade the insurer to pay their full policy limit.” As the passenger of a vehicle that was involved in a car accident, options are available to you. We have successfully helped injured victims of car accidents for over 30 years. Please read our Fall River Car Accident webpage to be fully informed of all we can do for you. Contact a Fall River Car Accident Lawyer If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages, among other losses. Our Fall River Car Accident Lawyers know how to negotiate with insurance companies to get you the best possible settlement or award of your claim. Call our Fall River office at 508-677-0500 or fill out an online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.

If you have been injured in a Rhode Island construction site accident, there are a number of important steps you would be well advised to take in order to protect your legal rights and your right to receive compensation for your losses. It is a well-known and well-established fact that the construction industry is fraught with the risk of serious injury. Even though it is one of the most dangerous professions out there, construction workers have a right to work in a safe environment. They have the right to be equipped with safety devices and personal protective equipment. Here are some of the most important steps you should take if you have been injured on the job as a construction worker. Seeking Medical Attention Your top priority, if you have been injured in a construction accident, should be to seek and receive prompt medical attention for your injuries. This is crucial even if you believe that your injuries are minor. In many cases, serious injury symptoms may not surface for hours or even days after an injury has occurred. Treating your injuries promptly is an important step to recovery. It will also serve as evidence to show that you attended to your injuries by seeking immediate medical attention. Once you’ve received medical attention, it is also important that you follow your doctor’s orders and continue to get the treatments and therapies you need to fully recover from your injuries. Notifying Your Employer Once you have addressed your injuries and have sought medical help, the next important step is to make sure you inform your employer as soon as possible. In Rhode Island, you have 30 days to report an injury to your employer. However, it is best not to wait that long. Report your injury as soon as you are able since your employer is required under the law to file a declaration form with the state’s Division of Workers’ Compensation. Reporting the accident can help in many ways. It will speed up your workers’ comp claim and avoid any unnecessary delays. Reporting the accident will also enhance the validity and immediacy of your claim. When you report the accident, it is important that that you put the details in writing and get a copy for your own records. It is also important to be as specific as you can about what occurred and include every detail you can. Gathering Information and Evidence It is also critical that you gather as much information about your accident and injuries as possible. Take photographs and, if possible, video of the accident scene. This is particularly important if you were not provided with proper safety equipment or if there were unsafe conditions at your worksite. In addition, it is important that you take photos of the injuries you sustained. If anyone witnessed your accident, getting his or her information can also be very helpful later on in the process. If you are unable to get this information right away, your attorney may be able to get it later. Medical records can also be an important part of your claim. It is imperative that you keep track of all your medical expenses so you can be accurately compensated for them. It is also a good idea to keep a detailed journal documenting the impact of the construction accident on your day-to-day life. Hiring an Attorney If you have been injured in a construction accident, you may be able to seek workers’ compensation benefits from your employer. Workers’ compensation benefits typically cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. However, these benefits are hardly sufficient if you are a construction worker who has suffered catastrophic or life-changing injuries. In some cases, depending on the nature and circumstances of the accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim or a third-party claim against parties other than your employer. These parties may include general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, manufacturers of defective products, etc. These types of claims are often worth a lot more than workers’ compensation benefits because they include compensation for losses such as pain and suffering. An experienced Rhode Island construction accident lawyer will be able to take a close look at your case and help you determine not just the value and worth of your claim but also who can be held liable for your injuries, damages and losses. Call our office at 1-800-992-6878, or fill out an online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.

A Raynham, MA woman, who was involved in a slip and fall accident, obtained a $125,000 settlement from Sedgwick Insurance for her injuries. As she was walking in the supermarket, there was debris on the ground that she slipped on, causing her to fracture her knee. After her emergency surgery, she contacted our law firm for legal assistance. d’Oliveira & Associates remained jointly responsible with another personal injury lawyer, who settled this case. When you call our firm regarding your personal injury claim, you can feel at ease knowing we will do all we can to help you. Even if the accident did not occur in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, like with this client, we will still do what we can to get you the proper help you need. We completely understand how trying of a time this is for anyone who is suffering after a personal injury. That is why we take the time to gather all of the details of your case and assess how we can best assist you. Contact a Rhode Island Slip and Fall Lawyer If you or a loved one were injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages, among other related losses. Our Rhode Island Slip and Fall Lawyers know how to best negotiate with insurance companies to get you the best possible settlement or award of your claim. Call us at 401-431-1990 or fill out an online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.

A Cumberland, RI woman, who was involved in a slip and fall accident, received a $112,000 settlement for her injuries. As she was walking on the defendant’s property, she tripped on some loose pavers. As she began to treat for the injuries she sustained, she contacted our law firm for legal assistance. Since this accident occurred outside of Rhode Island or Massachusetts, d’Oliveira & Associates remained jointly responsible with another personal injury lawyer, who settled this case. When you call our firm regarding your personal injury claim, you can feel at ease knowing we will do all we can to help you. Even if the accident did not occur in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, like with this client, we will still do what we can to get you the proper help you need. We completely understand how trying of a time this is for anyone who is suffering after a personal injury. That is why we take the time to gather all of the details of your case and assess how we can best assist you. Contact a Rhode Island Slip and Fall Lawyer If you or a loved one were injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages, among other related losses. Our Rhode Island Slip and Fall Lawyers know how to best negotiate with insurance companies to get you the best possible settlement or award of your claim. Call us at 401-431-1990 or fill out an online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.

Recently d’Oliveira & Associates attorney, Laura Cameron, obtained a combined $130,000 settlement from USAA and Amica for a West Warwick man, who was injured in a car accident. Our client was stopped at a red light and was violently rear ended by another vehicle. Due to the severity of this accident, our client experienced pain in multiple areas of his body, which required very extensive therapy. He then called d’Oliveira & Associates to help him with his car accident claim. Attorney Laura Cameron said, “We were able to negotiate an excellent resolution for this client with two insurance companies very quickly” Individuals who were injured in a car accident that was not their fault should not have to suffer any more than they already are. Much like for our client in this case, a car accident can drastically alter your way of life for months or even years. You should not have to deal with added expenses, lost time at work and the pain and suffering that comes after the accident. However, even knowing all of this, the insurance companies will try no nickel and dime you the entire time. For this reason, you should contact a personal injury lawyer immediately to best guarantee you are justly compensated and so you can get back on the road to recovery. Contact a Warwick Car Accident Lawyer If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation such as medical bills, lost time at work and pain and suffering, among other related losses. Our Warwick Car Accident Lawyers have the experience and knowledge when it comes to negotiating with the insurance companies. They will fight to get you the best possible settlement or award of your claim. Call our Warwick office at 401-490-6907 or fill out an online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.

Getting injured on the job can be an extremely traumatic and stressful experience. Not only will you need time to heal and recover from your injuries, but you must also deal with losing valuable income at a time when you need it the most. In Rhode Island, the state’s workers’ compensation system helps ensure that injured workers are able to receive monetary assistance during this challenging time to compensate for medical expenses and at least a portion of lost wages. However, the workers’ compensation claims process can be intimidating and confusing. There is always the risk of making mistakes during the process, which could potentially jeopardize your claim. Workers realize all too late that their missteps during the workers’ comp process could lead to their claim being denied or resulting in less compensation than they deserve. Common Mistakes That Could Hurt Your Claim Here are some of the most common mistakes that could and should be avoided during the workers’ compensation process: Failing to report your injury. If you have been injured on the job, you may be wondering when you should report the incident and injury. You should report your injury to your employer and/or supervisor right away. It is also important that you do so in writing so you have a record of it. Under Rhode Island law, you have 30 days to report a work-related injury to your employer. However, our Rhode Island work injury lawyers would strongly recommend that you report the incident and your injury to your employer as soon as possible. Your employer is then required by law to file a declaration form with the Rhode Island Division of Workers’ Compensation. Failing to report your injury right away will unnecessarily delay your claim process. If you fail to report your injury within the required deadline, you may not be able to receive the compensation you need. Not getting prompt medical care. If you don’t seek prompt medical treatment and care for your injuries or if you fail to follow your doctor’s treatment plan, you could put your workers’ compensation claim in jeopardy. The purpose of workers’ compensation benefits is to help injured workers pay their medical bills and make up for lost wages at a time when they are unable to work. Failing to seek medical care may be viewed negatively and give the impression that you did not suffer injuries that were serious enough to warrant time off work. Seeking prompt medical attention will not only give you an opportunity to recover faster from your injuries but will also create a clear record of the types of injuries you suffered and the treatment you sought and received. Failing to maintain proper records. If you have suffered injuries on the job, it is crucial that you keep detailed and accurate records. Make sure you keep track of the number of hours or workdays you missed because of your injury. It is also important that you save all receipts, invoices and paperwork that document your medical treatment. Such meticulous documentation is key to making sure that you get the compensation you rightfully deserve. Trusting your employer and the insurance company. Regardless of your time of service or your value as an employee, it is important to understand that when you are injured on the job and file a claim, your employer and their insurance company will not think about your best interest first. Your employer’s insurance company – like all insurance companies – wants to pay as little as possible for the claim. Trusting your employer and their insurance company to do the right thing could turn into a grave mistake. Trying to handle your claim on your own. You don’t need an attorney in order to pursue workers’ compensation and on paper, you can do it alone. But, trying to accomplish such a complicated task on your own during an already stressful time can be a bad idea. Having an experienced Rhode Island workers’ compensation lawyer on your side who will help gather evidence and compile the necessary facts to prove your case is critical at this time. Rhode Island Workers’ Comp Lawyers At d’Oliveira & Associates, our Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Lawyers understand the complexities of the process and the effort it takes to be successful with your claim. We can also help you through the appeals process if the need arises. Most importantly, we will guide you through the claim process and help you avoid the pitfalls that could put valuable compensation in danger. Call our firm at 1-800-992-6878 or fill our an online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.

Recently d’Oliveira & Associates attorney, D. Robin Gouveia, obtained a $100,000 settlement from Commerce and Geico Insurance for a New Bedford, MA man, who was injured in a motorcycle accident. Our client, who had the right of way, was struck by a vehicle coming from a side street. He sustained a fractured leg and extensive road rash. After he received emergency medical care, he contacted our New Bedford motorcycle accident lawyers to assist him with this painful situation. Attorney D. Robin Gouveia and paralegal Maricza began helping this client through the legal process.     Attorney D. Robin Gouveia said, “We determined the Defendant’s policy limits very quickly and made a demand for that amount due to the severity of the client’s injuries. Once we secured the limits from the tortfeasor, we pursued the client’s Underinsured Motorist coverage and secured the remaining exposure of the policy limits.  Thereafter, we negotiated with lienholders and put a settlement package together for the client to maximize his net recovery.” An accident for a motorcyclist can be a life-altering event. The average weight of a car is just over 4,000 lbs., according to the EPA in 2018. The force of the impact from over 2 tons of solid metal to a motorcyclist can leave debilitating and in some cases, permanent injuries. Yet, despite the obvious severities of these accidents, insurance companies will try and pay you as little as possible for all you have suffered and lost.  For this reason, you need to contact a personal injury lawyer who will fight hard to get you all the compensation you deserve. Contact a New Bedford Motorcycle Accident Lawyer If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical costs, pain and suffering and lost earnings, among other losses. Our New Bedford Motorcycle Accident Lawyers will negotiate with the insurance companies to get you all that you deserve. Call our New Bedford office at 508-984-8400 or fill out an online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.

Recently d’Oliveira & Associates attorney, D. Robin Gouveia, obtained an $85,000 settlement from Progressive Insurance for a man, who was injured in a car accident. Our client was properly in his lane when another driver abruptly entered our client’s lane of travel and collided with our client’s vehicle. As a result, our client suffered neck and back injuries, requiring therapy. He also had to miss months of work during his recovery. Attorney D. Robin Gouveia said, “We advocated for our client against the insurance company on this case and were able to obtain a settlement offer that was fair and reasonable for the client’s injuries, pain and suffering.  The offer was secured with all medical bills and lost wages included. We then negotiated with the lienholders for payment of medical bills in order to maximize the net recovery to the client.” If you were involved in a car accident that was not your fault, a car accident lawyer looks at several details to get you optimally compensated. They will gather your medical records and calculate the costs of all your medical treatments. They will also document the time you missed at work. They will even note how this accident has adversely altered your normal, daily life. Once you have completed your recovery and your lawyer has a full list of your losses, they will submit a demand to the other driver’s insurance company. This is where an experienced car accident lawyer, like ours, will shine! They will fight tooth and nail to get you the compensation you deserve. You can have peace of mind knowing that this challenging portion of your claim is in capable hands.     Contact a Pawtucket Car Accident Lawyer If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages, among other losses. Our Pawtucket Car Accident Lawyers know how to negotiate with insurance companies to get you the best possible settlement or award of your claim. Call our Pawtucket office at 401-365-6001 or fill out an online contact form for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.