Question: When I first meet my personal injury attorney, is there a particular document that I should bring with me?

Answer: You should provide your attorney with as much information as possible. If your attorney has more information, he or she will be in a better position to adequately advise you of your legal rights. You must bring all the documents related to your case. The accident report is a very important document that you should bring to your attorney. Lawyer David Slepkow’s article (401) 437-1100.

Also, if you have eyewitness statements or medical records or reports from your doctors, you should take them to your attorney. If you have pictures of the accident or your injury, bring them to the attorney meeting. If you do not have the documentation, your attorney can collect the documents for you.

Question: What types of information will the attorney ask for in the initial consultation about my Rhode Island car accident or personal injury case?

Answer: Your attorney will request general information regarding your medical treatment. The attorney will attempt to compile a list of the name and address of all treating physicians and medical providers. This includes physical therapists, chiropractors, visiting nurses, and other medical providers. The attorney may also ask you for a list of past medical providers.

Question: What usually happens at the first visit?

Answer: The personal injury attorney you have selected will tell you if you have a valid legal claim. If you decide to hire such an attorney, the attorney will ask you to sign an advance contract. The advance contract is an important legal document that must be obtained by an attorney. In the initial consultation, it is extremely difficult for your attorney to tell you the value of your case. The value of your case depends on many circumstances including the amount of your medical bills and the nature and extent of any pain and suffering. The value may depend on whether or not your injury is permanent, whether or not there were periods of partial or total disability, whether or not there was disfigurement, scarring, or other physical injury, and the amount of your lost wages, etc.

Once you have completed treatment or have reached a certain point in your medical treatment, the attorney will provide a settlement demand with all medical records and pertinent documentation to the insurance adjuster. If the insurance company believes the claim has merit and the insurance adjuster and attorney can agree on a figure, then the case will be resolved out of court. Although the attorney will attempt to resolve the case, the attorney will prepare the case for the court in the event that the case is not resolved.

Question: What does it take to have a valid personal injury case?

Answer: If you were injured as a result of the negligence or willful act of another person or entity, then you have a possible cause of action for personal injury. It is not always necessary to have a physical injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. A personal injury lawsuit may be brought based on the diminution of your reputation or the intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Question: What exactly is a settlement in a personal injury case?

Answer: If you settle a car accident or slip and fall personal injury case in Rhode Island, you agree to accept a sum of money in exchange for not initiating a personal injury case against the person or entity or dismissing a personal injury case against a person or entity. If the case is resolved, you will need to sign a release releasing any part of any possible future liability. To determine whether or not to accept a personal injury settlement, your attorney must evaluate the amount of damages you have suffered, the likelihood of prevailing at trial, and any other factors the attorney deems appropriate.

A settlement can be reached at any time prior to the filing of the lawsuit or after the filing of the lawsuit and at any time until the verdict of the jury. The case can be resolved even after trial if the case is on appeal.

At Slepkow, Slepkow & Associates, Inc. our firm philosophy is that it is up to the client to accept or not accept a personal injury settlement. We will certainly help you make that determination by providing you with all the essential information and answering any relevant questions you may have. We will often give our recommendation on whether a deal is fair or not. We always leave it to our clients to make the final decision whether or not to accept a personal injury or car accident settlement.

Question: What if I am not satisfied with the attorney handling my case? In Rhode Island, do I have the right to get a new attorney? If I get a new attorney who will pay for the legal services rendered by the old attorney?

Answer: In Rhode Island (RI), if you are not satisfied with the legal representation of your attorney, you have the right to obtain a new attorney at any time. Your former attorney may have a legal link against your personal injury case. If you win or the case is resolved, your former attorney will be entitled to be paid for the legal services he or she provided. However, you will not be required to pay the old attorney when obtaining a new attorney. When your case is resolved or when you receive funds as a result of a verdict, the old attorney and the new attorney will divide the contingent legal fees equally. In other words, it won’t cost you additional funds if you hire a new attorney. Old and new attorneys must agree on the fair share that the old attorney will receive.

Question: Is it a good idea to wait a while before hiring an attorney?

Answer: You should contact a Rhode Island personal injury attorney immediately after the accident. It is not a good idea for a person to be dealing with the insurance adjuster regarding their personal injury or car accident claim.

Question: Am I required to provide a recorded statement to the insurance company when requested?

Answer: There is no legal requirement for you to provide a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster. However, if the insurance company is your own insurance company, you may have a contractual obligation to provide a recorded statement. You should not make a statement unless you have a legal representative present and you must acquire a copy of the transcript.

Question: What types of cases are typically handled on a contingent fee basis?

Answer: Auto Accidents, Slip and Fall, Trip and Fall, Premises Liability, Bicycle Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Boating Accidents, Truck Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Wrongful Death, Uninsured or Underinsured, Insurance Claims motorists, intentionally inflicting emotional distress, dog biting claims, etc.