Coventry Car Accident Lawyer
401 Arnold Rd, Coventry, RI 02816 | (401) 823-3444
Injured in an Accident Due to Another Driver’s Negligence? Contact an Experienced Coventry Car Accident Lawyer Today!
If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to a cash settlement for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among other losses. d’Oliveira and Associates charges no fee until you obtain a cash settlement or award.
Laura Cameron is the managing attorney of our Coventry office and has been handling car accident cases in Coventry for over 20 years. Feel free to contact us or call us anytime at 401-823-3444 for a free (no obligation) case evaluation. Our office is located at 401 Arnold Road, Coventry, RI.
(L-R) Paul d’Oliveira (Lawyer), Laura Cameron (Lawyer), Lisa Rose (Office Manager / Paralegal), Pamela Reis (Paralegal)
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Coventry Car Accident Lawyer?
You will be charged a 1/3 fee of your settlement or award, which is the industry standard in the field of personal injury. However, you will pay nothing unless we win your case.
What Is My Case Worth?
If you are injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be eligible to receive money for all of your medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering, among other losses. Unfortunately, insurance companies tend to be reluctant when it comes to paying you fairly for your pain and suffering. If you retain our firm, your lawyer will negotiate to get the highest amount possible for your pain and suffering. The insurance company’s main objective is to save money by paying you less. This is where our extensive experience as Coventry car accident lawyers comes in. We know how to handle your case to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Read more.
What Can I Be Compensated for Following My Coventry Car Accident?
The specific facts of your case will determine what you can be compensated for in your car accident personal injury suit. The types of potentially recoverable damages include:
- Lost wages
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Physical impairment
- Psychological harm
- A victim’s loved ones may be compensated for car accidents resulting in their death
What Are Possible Causes of Car Accidents?
Every car accident is different, but there are some common things that frequently contribute to car accidents, including:
- Distracted driving. According to Forbes, every year, around 3,000 people’s lives are claimed in car accidents caused by distracted drivers. Approximately 8% of all fatal car accidents are attributed to distracted drivers. Distracted driving can include texting or scrolling on one’s phone, adjusting a GPS or the radio, or paying attention to passengers rather than to the road.
- Drunk driver. In the United States, a person dies in a drunk driving crash every 39 minutes. Although a blood alcohol content of 0.08 is the legal limit (with the exception of Utah where it’s 0.05), in 2021, there were still “2,266 people killed in alcohol-related crashes where a driver had a BAC of 0.01 to 0.07 g/dL.” Alcohol impairs brain function and basic motor skills, even at low levels, meaning the necessary abilities for safely operating a vehicle are reduced.
- Vehicle part defect. If there is a manufacturing defect in your vehicle, this could cause the vehicle not to operate correctly, causing a hazard to the driver and passengers of the defective vehicle, as well as to other drivers on the road.
- Poor road conditions. Even with the utmost care and caution taken, poor road conditions can make it difficult for drivers to navigate around others. Whether it be construction or poor maintenance of the roads, or bad weather, there are various things that can make streets hazardous for drivers and more likely to cause accidents.
- Speeding. Speeding is often involved in car accidents that result from reckless driving. According to a 2021 study from the National Safety Council, “speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities, killing 12,330, or an average of over 33 people per day.”
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
- First, turn on your hazard lights and do not remove your car from the scene of the accident, unless it could be hit by another vehicle.
- Call 911 as soon as possible.
- If possible, take some pictures of the cars and the position of the cars in the accident, as well as weather, road conditions, time, place, and any clear traffic violations.
- Get any witnesses’ names and contact information as soon as possible.
- Get the other driver’s name, address, and insurance company information.
- If you are injured, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
When Should I Contact a Lawyer?
The statute of limitations, which is the timeframe you have to file a claim for most car accidents in Rhode Island, is three years. When the injured person is a minor, the statutory period is longer. Put simply, you or your lawyer will have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the other driver for the injuries you sustained. Contacting a lawyer to discuss your case as soon as possible after the accident is in your best interest. An experienced Coventry car accident attorney can give you more information on the timeline of your case.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Settlement?
How long it takes to reach a car accident settlement varies on a case-by-case basis. This depends on the specific facts of your case, including the extent of your injuries, ability to communicate with insurance companies, and determination of liability, among other factors. A case can be resolved in a matter of weeks, or it could take over a year to resolve. Contact us today to discuss the details of your accident with an experienced car accident attorney.
Will I Have to Go to Court for My Coventry Car Accident Case?
Many personal injury cases can be resolved out of court through settlement with the insurance company.
d’Oliveira & Associates attorneys have successfully settled Coventry car accident cases out of court for decades. However, if a settlement cannot be reached, our attorneys are not afraid to fight on your behalf in the roughly 5% of our cases that do go to court.
How Can I Maximize My Settlement or Award Amount?
The amount you are awarded or that you settle for will depend on various factors. But there are some things you can do to increase the amount you receive in your settlement amount. First, be sure to get the statements and contact information of witnesses as their first-hand account of the incident can provide helpful evidence of your injuries and the other party’s fault.
Additionally, taking photos of the scene and of your injuries can greatly help your case and your ability to recover more compensation. While it certainly helps having documentation and description of your injury, having photos of your injury helps to paint a picture of your recovery, pain and suffering, and the scars you are left with. Further, if a settlement cannot be reached for you, and your case is among the 5% of our cases that go before jury trial to be decided, it certainly helps to show a jury your injury rather than to explain it.
Finally, medical records and documentation of all of the physical therapy and appointments for medical treatment you attended are important to have. The more evidence of your pain and suffering, and ability to show how determined you are to treat your injuries, the better for recovering more compensation for your personal injury case.
What if the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?
You have a couple of different options if the other driver in your accident is uninsured. One option is to collect uninsured motorist benefits from the car you were in at the time of the accident. Your insurance company would not raise your rates if you were not at fault in the accident. Another option is to collect uninsured motorist benefits from other vehicles insured and owned by people in the household you live in. Read more.
How Does Damage to My Car Get Repaired?
To fix damage to your vehicle after an accident, your auto body mechanic should meet with the insurance company’s claims appraiser to examine the damage to your vehicle at the auto body shop. Your mechanic is the best person to negotiate your property damage claim since they will be the one fixing your vehicle. Read more.
Should I Talk with the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
Our firm recommends that you do not speak to the other party’s insurance company without first speaking with a lawyer. If you choose to speak with the other party’s insurance company, we advise that you do not give them the details of your case or admit fault as anything you say can be used against you. Also, do not agree to any settlement offers until your doctor has released you from treatment and the extent of your injuries has been documented.
How Should I Deal with the Insurance Companies?
You need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident to file a claim. Make sure that you look at your policy to see what coverage you have, and which claims to file. Save all paperwork involved with your car accident claim such as medical expenses, repair bills, and any other documents or expenses. We highly recommend you speak with an experienced Coventry car accident lawyer before talking to the other driver’s insurance company. The other party’s insurance company will more than likely contact you to try to talk you out of hiring a lawyer. If you are seriously injured, you should consider hiring a lawyer to make sure you get all the money you are entitled to. If you decide not to hire a lawyer and you instead speak with the other driver’s insurance company, we recommend that you do not discuss the details of how the accident happened and do not accept any offers to settle your claim until your doctor has released you from medical treatment and you are fully recovered.
What Is the Minimum Insurance Coverage a Rhode Island Driver Must Have?
In Rhode Island, a vehicle owner must carry a minimum of 25,000/50,000 coverage. This type of insurance means each individual injured has up to $25,000 coverage, with up to $50,000 in coverage per accident.
If the cost of the injuries outweighs the coverage available from the other driver’s insurance company, the injured party may be eligible to collect underinsured motorist from the insurance of the car they were in at the time of the collision and/or any vehicles owned by the injured party or members of their household. An experienced Coventry car accident lawyer can advise you of all available coverage and how to proceed with insurance.
Why Do I Need an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer?
Hiring an experienced lawyer to handle your car accident case ensures you are compensated and treated fairly. The insurance company will attempt to offer you as little money as possible to settle your car accident case. There are many things an experienced Coventry car accident lawyer can do to make sure you get a good settlement for your injuries. This includes monitoring and reviewing your medical records to make sure your doctors document the pain and suffering you have sustained, advising you in every aspect of your claim, and most importantly, negotiating the best possible settlement to compensate you for your injuries.
Why Hire d’Oliveira and Associates?
- Each of our lawyers has at least 20 years’ experience in handling car accident cases.
- We can be contacted anytime, 24/7.
- d’Oliveira & Associates offers free (no obligation) case evaluations.
- We have 16 office locations in RI and MA for your convenience. If you prefer, we can even come directly to your house.
- You will not be charged a legal fee unless we get a cash settlement for you.
- Your case will be handled with the utmost care, and we guarantee that your phone calls will be returned promptly.
- We negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you get the best possible settlement for your injuries.
Contact d’Oliveira & Associates Today!
“Let us focus on your case while you focus on your recovery.” Call us today at (401) 762-4006 or fill out a contact form for a free (no obligation) case consultation.