If you’ve never needed one before, you might be wondering, what is a personal injury lawyer, and what do they do?
Put simply, personal injury lawyers represent individuals injured in many different types of accidents that were caused by someone else’s negligence.
Such lawyers work to get injured victims the compensation they need to cover their accident-related costs.
If you believe you have a personal injury case in the Belfast, Maine area, please contact the injury lawyers at Mann Law, LLC.
Accidents in Belfast tend to cluster along a handful of well-traveled local roads and intersections, rather than being spread evenly across town.
U.S. Route 1 runs directly through downtown Belfast along Main Street and High Street, carrying heavy seasonal tourist traffic past the working waterfront.
Route 3 and Route 137 converge with Route 1 on the edges of downtown, creating congestion during the summer boating and tourist season.
Where your accident happened in Belfast can affect which police department responds and what evidence, such as traffic cameras or nearby business surveillance footage, is available. A Belfast personal injury lawyer familiar with these roads knows where to look and how quickly it needs to be secured.
While there are many personal injury claims, three of the most common are motor vehicle accidents, premise liability claims, and product liability.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident in the Belfast area, consult one of our injury lawyers today.
Motor vehicles, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, are among the leading causes of injuries.
If someone else’s negligence or misconduct behind the wheel caused the accident and your injuries, you should consult with an attorney to discuss your legal options. Whether a drunk driver injured you, a speeding motorist, or someone texting while driving, we can help.
Premise liability claims can stem from an array of accidents that happen on someone else’s property. These typically include accidents involving:
These matters can be complex. If you were injured on someone else’s property because they neglected to properly remedy or warn of dangerous conditions, our attorneys can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
We rely on numerous products every day. And sadly, sometimes, a defect in a product’s design or the manufacturing process can injure us.
Whether the product was defective in design or manufacturing or failed to warn of dangers adequately, you need a sharp advocate by your side to get the compensation you need to move on with your life and heal.
Product liability lawsuits often involve taking on large corporations with deep pockets and teams of lawyers. Don’t try to handle it alone. Let us help you.
Other types of personal injury claims include the following:
Whether you were injured in one of these types of accidents or something else altogether, we can help.
While there is no requirement that you suffer a specific type of severity of injury to have a valid personal injury claim, there are several types of injuries we see routinely, including the following:
This is not an exhaustive list, and it is possible to simultaneously have other injuries or multiple injuries.
Representing yourself in a personal injury action is possible, but not advisable. Insurance companies are professionals who know how to take advantage of unsuspecting victims.
Despite what their ads might say, they are in it to save themselves money, not help you.
Therefore, we strongly encourage every accident victim to hire an experienced attorney. Even if you have experience representing yourself on small claims matters or an uncontested divorce, personal injury cases are far more complex.
Accident cases can have multiple defendants, defendants with deep pockets and teams of lawyers on their side, massive discovery, expert witnesses, loads of litigation and motion practice, and strict rules and court procedures.
And insurance adjusters are notorious for using tactics that limit your recovery—unless you have a knowledgeable attorney in your corner.
Furthermore, personal injury claims can go far beyond seeking reimbursement for lost wages or medical expenses.
Accident victims are often entitled to non-economic damages for intangible losses such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Non-economic losses can be challenging to prove without the help of an accomplished attorney.
Every jurisdiction has its own statute of limitations or deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Most states allow injured plaintiffs two years from the date of injury to initiate their claim.
However, Maine is unique and generously allows victims six years from the date of their injury to bring their claim. This time frame is one of the longest in the country, but there are exceptions to the general rule you need to know.
For instance, if you are filing a claim against a government entity, your window of opportunity might be as little as one year. On the other hand, if the injured victim is minor at the time of injury, the statute might be tolled or paused until they reach the age of majority.
No matter the applicable statute, you can be barred from ever bringing your claim to court if you miss that deadline. A good lawyer will promptly file all paperwork so you do not miss your opportunity to get compensated.
Even though Maine gives you a lot of time to file your claim, it is still imperative to consult with a lawyer soon after your accident. Speaking with an attorney and relaying your story while it is still fresh in your mind can be vital to ensuring you get all the details and necessary information correct.
And if you initiate a lawsuit shortly after your injury, it ensures that witness recollections are still fresh in their minds.
As time passes, memories fade, and some evidence can be lost forever if you don’t act quickly. For instance, video surveillance footage may be erased or recorded over quickly. You want your lawyer to preserve as much evidence as possible before it is lost forever.
While it is difficult, if not impossible, to assign a precise dollar amount, most personal injury lawyers are paid on a contingency basis.
In other words, you only pay the attorney if they win your case, and you receive money through a settlement or jury award. At Mann Law, this is our fee structure, and we are paid if and when you are—not before.
Personal injury lawyers are plentiful in Waldo County, Maine. Finding the right attorney for you in and around Belfast can require some guidance. Tips for choosing the best personal injury attorney include:
When hiring a lawyer, use your initial consultations to explain your situation to the lawyer and gauge whether they might be a good fit for your case.
Yes. Mann Law represents injured clients in Belfast and throughout Waldo County. Whether your accident occurred on Route 1 through downtown Belfast, at a local business, on the water, or on a rural road, we can evaluate your case and explain your legal options during a free consultation.
In the Belfast area, personal injury claims frequently arise from car and truck accidents on Route 1, boating and watercraft incidents on Penobscot Bay, slip and falls at commercial and recreational properties, and pedestrian accidents in the downtown area. Seasonal tourism also increases accident frequency during summer and fall months.
Call 911 and get a police report. Seek medical attention right away, even for seemingly minor injuries. Document the scene with photos and gather witness contact information. Report the accident to your own insurer. Then contact Mann Law before speaking with the other party’s insurance company. Early legal guidance can protect both the strength of your claim and your right to full compensation.
Personal injury victims in Belfast can pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future medical costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The specific recovery depends on the facts of your case, including the severity of your injuries and the clarity of the other party’s negligence.
No. Consultations are free and personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless Mann Law recovers compensation on your behalf. This ensures that injured people in Belfast can get the legal help they need without financial risk.
If someone else’s negligence injured you or someone you love, look no further. At Mann Law, our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers guides you and fights to get you the compensation you need.
We are a woman-run law firm helping accident victims with dignity, compassion, and tenacity. Contact us to schedule a no-cost consultation.
