Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury in Rhode Island

Answers from highly knowledgeable attorneys

If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need compensation for your injuries and losses, but the process of recovery is often very confusing. At Kirshenbaum Law Associates, our personal injury lawyers and auto accident attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the answers you need.

Personal injury

• What is negligence?
• Do I need an attorney to pursue my personal injury claim?
• How much is my claim worth?
• Is it expensive to hire an attorney?
• How quickly can I get paid?

Auto accidents

• I was just involved in an automobile accident. What do I do now?
• Should I talk to the insurance company?

Call our Rhode Island personal injury attorneys today for more answers

At Kirshenbaum Law Associates, we are committed to keeping you informed at each step of your case to help you achieve the successful results you need — and we are known for. From our office in Cranston, we assist clients throughout Rhode Island, including the cities of Providence and Warwick. To learn more about personal injury or auto accidents and how our firm assists clients, contact our Rhode Island car accident lawyers online or by calling 401-467-5300 today to schedule a free initial consultation for your personal injury claim.

Personal injury

What is negligence?

Being hurt does not automatically mean you have a personal injury claim. To succeed on a claim, a client and his or her personal injury lawyer in Rhode Island must show that another party was at fault for causing an accident that resulted in personal injuries. Generally, negligence is the failure to act as a reasonable person would do under the same or similar circumstances. A good example of negligence is a driver who fails to observe or to keep a proper lookout for the cars in front of him that are stopping due to oncoming traffic. When such inattention and carelessness cause a collision, with the driver striking the rear of the car in front of him, that driver is considered negligent because he failed to act reasonably under the circumstances. He was not being careful.

Do I need an attorney to pursue my personal injury claim?

Everyone should consult with an attorney regarding his or her claim. There are pitfalls for those who try to handle personal injury or accident cases themselves. Insurance policies are complex and so are the issues of payment of medical expenses and costs. By not being familiar with the laws and issues, an injured person can be victimized twice, once by the person who hit him and a second time by not knowing how to obtain proper compensation for his claims. Your attorney’s job is to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries by working on your behalf — and fighting the insurance company, in court if necessary — to obtain the best possible outcome for you. It is critical to retain an attorney to ensure that you are receiving the full value of your claim.

How much is my claim worth?

Under many circumstances, you may be entitled to an award of punitive damages in addition to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. We know when to make a claim for punitive damages on your behalf. In addition, you may be entitled to a recovery under multiple policies of insurance provided by other insurance carriers, including your own, which may provide coverage applicable to your claim. We have years of experience handling personal injury cases. We know how to assess the value of a case and we know how to locate other sources of recovery for you.

Is it expensive to hire an attorney?

We do not charge any attorney’s fees for our clients’ personal injury claims until the case is concluded in your favor. We strive to keep our clients informed at all stages of their case, with periodic updates by the attorney who is handling their case.

How quickly can I get paid?

The answer to this common question varies according to the complexity of the case. We encourage our clients to treat their health responsibly and follow their doctor’s advice throughout their treatment. We feel it is important for you to have reached your maximum medical result prior to signing any settlement paperwork. You, as a victim of someone’s negligence, can only settle your case once. If you later discover that you have more damage or injuries, you will most likely be prohibited from asserting that same claim again. A careful settlement that takes into account all issues is often better than a quick settlement.

Back to top

Auto accidents

I was just involved in an automobile accident. What do I do now?

The most important thing for a victim of an automobile accident to do is to obtain proper and prompt medical care. Your health is far more important than the result of any claim or lawsuit. As soon as you feel able, seek legal advice regarding a potential claim for your personal injuries and other damages that may result from someone else’s negligence. Of course, the best time to hire an attorney in any case is immediately. The sooner your attorney can start gathering evidence and obtain witness statements, the greater the likelihood of success.

Should I talk to the insurance company?

It is important to know whom you are talking to in the immediate aftermath of an automobile or other accident. Financially responsible insurance companies often reach out to the victim and try to establish a positive relationship. These may be truly nice people, but they do have a job to do. That job is to represent the interest of the insurance company — not you! Statements made early in a case are often used by insurance companies to limit your financial award at a point when neither you nor your doctors know the full extent of your injuries. You should not sign any documents, make any recorded statements, sign any medical authorizations or accept any money without consulting an attorney. The goal and purpose of an insurance company is in direct conflict with your best interests.

Back to top