If someone’s negligent or reckless conduct caused your injury, you could have a claim for monetary damages. The law makes negligent parties liable for the harm their actions cause to others.
However, sometimes, determining potentially liable parties might require investigation by a personal injury attorney, Bangor.
Regardless of the specific circumstances surrounding your accident, let a Bangor personal injury lawyer work to identify negligent parties and hold them accountable.
Through a civil claim, you could pursue compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
If you need to talk to a Bangor personal injury lawyer, get in touch with us now. We’re here and prepared to stand up for you.
A personal injury attorney legally represents individuals injured in an accident, often caused by another person’s negligence. Personal injury is a legal term that can refer to many situations covering various accidents and injuries.
Personal injury cases involve:
A personal injury attorney can assist you in seeking financial compensation for your injuries and will usually handle your case every step of the way.
Almost any situation in which someone was injured due to the conduct of another person or company could form the basis of a claim for damages. An injured person should consult a nearby attorney to determine the viability of their claim.
Personal injury claims often result from the following:
No matter the type of accident, our Bangor personal injury law firm can assist you. Our attorneys have been recognized as some of the best personal injury lawyers in Maine. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Each state has a time frame, known as the statute of limitations, during which you must file your personal injury lawsuit. Many states allow victims two years from the date of injury to initiate their suit.
However, Maine provides a generous time limit of up to six years to file their claim. It is important to remember that statutes of limitations are not one size fits all, and there are exceptions to the general rule.
For example, the deadline for initiating your lawsuit can be significantly less if you sue a municipality, city, or state agency.
Typically, the six-year clock starts to run on the date of injury, and if you miss the deadline, you can be permanently barred from filing your lawsuit.
Hiring an attorney to pursue a personal injury claim is not legally required. However, we strongly advise against self-representation. Personal injury cases can be some of the most complex claims to prove and often involve extensive discovery, lengthy litigation, and unique knowledge of the law and procedure.
Accident cases can become even more challenging when up against a defendant with deep pockets and expert counsel. Having an experienced attorney working with you is imperative to increase your chances of success.
It is essential to consult with a personal injury attorney soon after your accident for several reasons.
While Maine allows a generous timeframe to file your claim, when you are recovering from serious injuries and rebuilding your life, six years can go by faster than you might think. You want to avoid waiting too long and losing your right to recovery.
It is also best to call an attorney soon after your injury because the events that unfolded are still fresh in your mind and the minds of potential witnesses.
The longer you wait, the more likely details will be lost or confused. Specific evidence may also need to be preserved quickly, such as video surveillance footage which may only be stored temporarily.
It is difficult to say with certainty how much a personal injury lawyer may cost because they are generally paid on a contingency basis, and their ultimate fee will depend on your settlement or award.
What this means, however, is that you typically do not have to pay any fees upfront. Instead, your lawyer will only be paid if your case successfully results in a settlement or award.
If your claim is successful, personal injury lawyers are often paid a portion of the proceeds of your case. However, the percentage does vary among law firms, attorneys, case types, or at what stage the case resolves.
For instance, some personal injury lawyers may get a lesser fee if the case settles early on. Discussing your attorney’s fee structure before signing a representation agreement is essential.
While we cannot speak for every attorney or personal injury law firm, at Mann Law, we are paid if and when you are—not before.
As in most places, personal injury attorneys are plentiful in Penobscot County, Maine.
Finding the right lawyer in and around Bangor can feel overwhelming without some guidance. Here are three helpful tips for choosing the best personal injury attorney.
Asking your closest friends and family for attorney recommendations can be a great way to find the lawyer for you. The people closest to you are often an essential yet untapped resource for professional services recommendations.
Perhaps one of your relatives or friends has experienced a personal injury case of their own and can provide you with a recommendation for the attorney they hired if they had an excellent experience.
They may even be able to tell you who to avoid if they had a less-than-favorable experience or outcome with their case. Speaking to those closest to you can be a great resource.
Googling prospective law firms or attorneys can also be a great starting point. Researching individual attorneys and law firms can help narrow a list of prospective candidates.
You can learn more about what they specialize in and read client feedback by visiting their website and other attorney review sites.
For valuable information, you can also visit the state or local bar association sites. Of course, it is not wise to rely solely on your online research and reviews to choose an attorney. But the internet can provide valuable information and help you narrow down the possibilities.
Once you’ve narrowed down a list of several prospective law firms or attorneys you are interested in, you should schedule consultations and interviews with each.
Often people look at consultations as a way for the lawyer to learn about the potential client, but it is also an opportunity for you to learn about the lawyer and decide if you think they might be a good fit.
Remember, you will be working closely with your attorney, trusting them with sensitive information, and looking to them for the best advice throughout your case.
You want to ensure you feel comfortable and confident in your decision. At Mann Law, we always offer free initial consultations. Contact us anytime to schedule one.
After a serious accident, you should consider bringing a claim for damages if an injury causes documentable losses.
Examples of documentable losses include:
You could receive reimbursement for the following damages:
Damages could also include:
The effects of an injury do not need to be permanent to merit a claim for damages, and a negligent party is responsible for compensating a victim’s losses even if the injury eventually heals.
Consulting a Bangor Mann Law attorney could provide you as an injured person with a clear idea of your options and help set expectations for your claim.
Determining whether another party’s negligence caused or contributed to your accident may require an analysis of the circumstances.
If the investigation produces evidence that other parties may have been negligent, an attorney could reach out to the at-fault parties and demand damages to compensate for your losses. Your attorney could then begin negotiations for a settlement on your behalf as the injured victim.
In some cases, although you are the person who suffered the injury, you may have been partially responsible for the accident. However, bearing partial responsibility does not bar you from collecting damages from other negligent parties.
Maine Revised Statute §156 allows claimants to collect reduced damages if you are less than 50 percent responsible for the incident that led to the injury.
A knowledgeable Bangor personal injury lawyer could further explain these laws and how they may affect your personal injury claim.
If you suffered harm because of someone else’s negligent conduct, assert your legal rights. You should not bear the costs of another person’s carelessness.
Before founding Mann Law, our principal attorney Chrissy Mann worked at a Maine personal injury firm where she developed a passion for fighting for compensation and justice on behalf of injured clients. Chrissy grew up on Bangor and will fight for the residents of Bangor Maine.
Chrissy Mann has over 20 years of litigation experience, and she is respected as a skilled, fair, and compassionate advocate for her clients.
In 2010 and 2011, she was one of the few lawyers in Maine to be awarded the New England Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in personal injury law. In 2012, she was selected to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 list.
The experience and relationships of Mann Law are invaluable. While you work on your health, our Bangor personal injury lawyers take care of everything else to win your case.
We are a statewide firm with satellite offices for easy accessibility. Our attorneys are also licensed in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Get in touch with us for a complimentary consultation and discover how we can support and champion your needs.
