Woonsocket Personal
Injury Lawyer

Woonsocket, Rhode Island

Just south of the Massachusetts border, Woonsocket, RI, is the northernmost city in Rhode Island, giving it access to both Providence and Boston. The unusual name is thought to be derived from some version of the Native American tribes that inhabited the land during the 17th century. Woonsocket was established in 1867 and quickly became a center of immigration—particularly for French-Canadians. The city maintains a deep connection to French-Canadian culture and the French language to this day.

What Does a Woonsocket Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

• Negotiates on your behalf to maximize the amount of your settlement and ensures that the other party doesn't trick you into accepting a settlement that is lower than what you deserve.
• Will file a lawsuit and go to trial should the other side not cooperate and act as the great equalizer to show the other side that you mean business and are prepared to fight.
• Ensures that at every step, the court's rules are followed, evidence is submitted correctly and on time, and your rights are vigorously advanced.

Negligence

Negligence is a personal injury concept that determines who is at fault in a personal injury lawsuit. Fault can be assigned either by the actions—or inaction—of the party responsible for the injuries. "Duty of care" is another important legal concept to understand. In a nutshell, it is the responsibility that one person has to maintain certain standards in order to avoid injuring another person. So, when someone is said to have "breached their duty of care," it simply means that under the circumstances surrounding the injury, the at-fault party had a reasonable expectation to adhere to a certain standard. Because that standard was not adhered to, another person was injured.

Gross Negligence

Gross negligence is like negligence but even worse. Rather than simply neglecting to maintain certain standards, someone who is guilty of gross negligence acted in a way that any reasonable person would know, or should have known, would be dangerous or unsafe. For example, an accident due to drunk driving, which is unsafe and illegal, is typically considered an act of gross negligence.

Reckless Conduct and Intentional Misconduct

Reckless conduct and intentional misconduct fall into the category of gross negligence. Basically, if you can prove your injuries were a result of the other party's gross negligence, you are likely entitled to punitive damages — meaning your claim will be higher.

If you have more questions about negligence or whether or not your case involves negligence, contact a personal injury lawyer today.

How Do You Prove Negligence?

There are four main elements that you need to prove to move forward with a valid claim.

• Duty of care — The other party had a legal duty to act in a reasonable manner or to take reasonable steps to prevent harm to another person.
• Breach — The other party breached their duty of care because of their actions or inaction, resulting in another person being injured.
• Causation — The injury occurred as a direct result of the other party, and the injury could not, and would have not, occurred in any other way.
• Damages — The plaintiff was harmed physically, financially, or emotionally because of the defendant's actions.

The two main ways that negligence is proven are through evidence and testimony. Testimony is the recounting of facts from the defendant or witnesses, which can be obtained through witness affidavits and depositions of the defendant(s). Evidence can be obtained through medical and police reports and any other items that aid in proving your case. Obtaining all of the evidence you can is a critical first step in filing a personal injury claim, and a personal injury attorney can help you do this. You deserve maximum compensation for your injuries. Let the personal injury lawyers from the Louis W. Grande law firm help you fight the insurance company to seek justice for your damages.

If you have been injured in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, please give me a call now or schedule a free case evaluation.

FAQ: Woonsocket Personal Injury

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case is three years. This means you have three years from the date of the accident to seek legal action. Three years may seem like a long time, but getting started sooner is better so you can go through the personal injury claims process and earn your settlement faster.

Do I need to see a doctor if I feel fine after the accident?
Even if the accident seems minor and you don't feel hurt, you should still see a doctor. Sometimes adrenaline masks minor and serious injuries, so you might not be aware of certain damages until days or weeks after the accident. Also, going to a doctor provides you with medical reports, which you can use as evidence.

What is the difference between economic and non-economic damages?
Economic damages are monetary factors you can recover in your claims, such as medical costs, future treatment, and lost wages. Meanwhile, non-economic damages are losses that don't have a monetary value assigned to them. This can include physical pain, emotional distress, and more.