401 Arnold Road, RI 02816 | (401) 823-3444
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.
Attorney Laura Cameron is the managing attorney of our Coventry office and has been handling car accident cases in Coventry for over twenty-five years. Beginning her career in the public defender’s office, Attorney Cameron is no stranger to fighting for her clients, both inside the courtroom and outside it. Feel free to contact us or call us anytime at 401-823-3444 for a free (no obligation) case evaluation.
Coventry Car Accident FAQs
- What is my car accident case worth?
- Can I receive compensation for damage to my vehicle?
- What if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured?
- What insurance coverage is available for RI drivers?
How Much Does Hiring a Coventry Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
d’Oliveira & Associates does not charge any legal fees unless we win or settle your case. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning we are not paid until you receive a settlement or award to compensate you for your damages.
What Can I Be Compensated for Following My Coventry Car Accident?
The amount and type of damages a car accident victim recovers depends on the specific facts of each case. Expenses that may be recoverable include, but are not limited to:
- Lost income from inability to work
- Medical expenses
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Psychological harm
- Physical impairment
- Pain and suffering
Possible Causes of Car Accidents
- Speeding – drivers traveling above the posted speed limit pose a risk of injury to other drivers and pedestrians.
- Drunk driving – In the United States, a person dies in a car accident where drunk driving was a factor every 39 minutes. Nearly 30% of all fatal U.S. car accidents involve drunk driving, causing more than 10,000 deaths per year. Even after consuming a relatively small amount of alcohol or with a blood alcohol content that is within the legal limit, alcohol impairs brain function and basic motor skills, making safe vehicle operation more difficult and posing risks to others on the road.
- Distracted driving – Whether it is a driver using their phone, adjusting the radio, or being distracted by their passengers, anything that takes a driver’s attention off of the road increases the risk of being in an accident.
- Car part defect – A vehicle’s manufacturing or design defect is the cause of some car accidents. Be sure to keep your vehicle’s maintenance up to date and to keep an eye out for recalls that require you to replace or repair a part in your vehicle.
- Poor road conditions – Bad weather conditions, construction, or poorly maintained roads can be hazardous even for the most careful and cautious drivers and contribute to causing car accidents.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
- Turn on your hazard lights and only move your vehicle if necessary to prevent it from being hit by another vehicle.
- Call 911 right away and address any injuries. This can include going to the hospital to create a record of your injuries. Ask to receive a copy of the police report and any notes made by the officer(s).
- Take pictures or videos of the accident scene, including the position of the cars, the damage to the vehicles, and weather and road conditions.
- Note any obvious traffic violations that contributed to the accident.
- Get the contact and insurance information of other driver(s) involved in the accident. If applicable, get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
- Contact a Coventry car accident attorney as soon as possible for guidance on next steps for your specific claim, as every case is different. We recommend you avoid settling until you’ve fully discussed your options with a Coventry car accident lawyer. Insurance companies may try to quickly offer a lowball settlement before the extend of your injuries is known.
- Ensure the collected evidence is organized, such as being placed together in a folder. Request copies of documents whenever possible for your personal records. This will be beneficial down the line as it could increase the settlement amount.
How Do My Medical Bills Get Paid?
Usually, the driver who is at-fault for the accident is liable for your medical bills, but they may not pay straight away. Our attorneys will work with your medical providers to place your bills on a lien, which gets paid when the case settles.
How Long Do I Have to File My RI Car Accident Suit?
In Rhode Island, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident personal injury claim is three years. This means that you have three years from the time of injury to file suit against the at-fault party for your injuries, but the sooner you contact an experienced attorney to investigate your case, the better. Giving your attorney enough time to build your strongest case can result in you receiving more compensation to cover your expenses.
Do I Really Need a Coventry Car Accident Lawyer?
Dealing with a car accident, insurance, and medical bills can be exhausting, which is why an experienced Coventry car accident attorney would work with the medical providers and insurance so you can focus on rest and recovery. Studies show that those with an experienced Coventry car accident attorney on their side recover 2-3 times as much compensation as those who do not hire an attorney. Insurance companies are businesses looking to profit and will likely offer you less compensation than you are entitled to for covering your costs. Hiring a Coventry car accident lawyer means we can focus on maximizing your compensation so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
What Questions Should I Ask a Coventry Car Accident Attorney?
When hiring an attorney, it is important to make sure that they are qualified and ready to handle your case! Some questions we recommend asking are:
- How many years of experience do you have as a car accident lawyer?
- Have you handled any cases like mine?
- What is your success rate for these kinds of cases?
- What steps will you take to investigate my case?
- How often will I be updated on my case status?
- What are the likely outcomes of my case?
- How much will hiring you as my car accident lawyer cost me?
- What can I receive compensation for?
How Long Does It Take to Get a Settlement?
Every car accident case is different in terms of how long it takes to settle. Factors that affect a settlement timeline include the extent and severity of your injuries, length of recovery, ease of communication with the insurance companies, and who was deemed to be at fault. Depending on these factors, a case could be resolved in a matter of weeks, or it could take longer than a year to resolve. Discuss the details of your accident with a knowledgeable Coventry car accident attorney by contacting us today.
Will I Have to Go to Court for My Coventry Car Accident Case?
Our firm settles almost all of our clients’ personal injury cases without ever having to set foot in a courtroom. If a settlement cannot be reached in your case, our attorneys are not afraid to fight for the compensation you are entitled to in the roughly 5% of our cases that do go to court.
Should I Talk with the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
d’Oliveira & Associates advises against speaking with the at-fault driver’s insurance company unless you have first been advised by an experienced car accident attorney. If you do decide to speak with the other party’s insurance, we suggest you avoid discussing details of your case and avoid admitting fault, as the other driver’s insurance has an interest in decreasing their insured’s liability. Do not agree to any settlement offers or sign any insurance waivers until your doctor has cleared you and there is documentation of the extent of your injuries.
What Should I Do If the Other Driver Is Uninsured?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you should file an uninsured motorist’s claim with your insurance company. Additionally, make sure a police report is filed and that you have a record of all expenses, such as repairs to the vehicle and medical bills. An experienced Coventry car accident attorney can walk you through the next steps of your specific case.
Why d’Oliveira & Associates?
Finding the right attorney for a car accident case is essential for maximizing your compensation, legal support and peace of mind. Our Coventry car accident attorneys have been handling cases in Rhode Island for over twenty-five years and are well-equipped to handle yours! We prioritize client satisfaction, timely communication and quality representation. Call our Coventry office at (401) 823-3444 or fill out an online contact form for a free case evaluation.