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Suppose you were recently injured in or around Camden, Maine, and medical bills and other expenses are quickly piling up. In that case, you might wonder when to call a personal injury lawyer. We strongly encourage you to consult with a personal injury lawyer immediately.
Many situations and types of accidents can give rise to a personal injury claim. Essentially any injury caused by another person’s conduct or negligence can be the basis for a valid personal injury claim. If you or someone you love was recently injured in Camden or Penobscot County, you should consult a personal injury lawyer immediately.
Common types of personal injury cases that we routinely encounter include:
You may be entitled to compensation for the damages you suffered if you were injured in an accident such as the one listed above or a different situation altogether.
A successful plaintiff can generally seek three types of damages.
Economic damages are meant to compensate accident victims for their calculable losses.
Typical economic damages include:
Economic damages are typically the easiest to calculate based on receipts, records, and pay stubs.
In Maine, a plaintiff may seek compensation for non-economic damages. Non-economic damages refer to subjective or intangible losses that are personal to the victim. Examples of non-economic damages include the following:
It is challenging to quantify non-economic damages because they require assigning a monetary value to your injury’s negative impact on your life.
Although subjective and open to interpretation, a plaintiff is nevertheless entitled to these damages. It is crucial to have an experienced personal injury lawyer advocating for you to ensure you receive these damages for your personal injuries.
While most plaintiffs are entitled to economic and non-economic damages, only some will receive punitive damages. Punitive damages are not compensatory but are meant to punish a defendant for grossly negligent conduct. The court awards punitive damages on a much more limited basis.
Most civil lawsuits settle rather than proceed to trial, and many clients often wonder what the average settlement might be. Even if you settle your case, you are still entitled to the same damages you would be entitled to had your case proceeded to trial.
It is difficult to say with certainty what the average personal injury settlement is because it depends on the elements unique to each case. However, certain common factors will influence value.
If you think about it, it makes sense because someone with severe permanent injuries likely will—and should—receive a higher settlement than someone with minor superficial injuries. For example, suppose you are the victim of a catastrophic truck crash with permanent disfigurement. In that case, you should expect a significantly larger settlement than someone who fractured their wrist in a slip and fall and is expected to recover fully.
Some plaintiffs have no desire to proceed to trial and wish to settle immediately. That’s ok too. No matter the situation, a skilled attorney can successfully negotiate on your behalf.
Many factors are considered in settlement negotiations. Some common factors include the following:
The very nature of a settlement involves a compromise among the parties, but that does not mean you should accept a less-than-adequate settlement amount. Your lawyer will discuss the pros and cons of a settlement vs. trial.
Maine has one of the most generous statute of limitations for personal injury cases in the country. Generally, an accident victim has six years from the date of injury to initiate their claim in court. Most states have a two-year statute of limitations for a plaintiff to file a lawsuit. While most plaintiffs will have up to six years from the accident date to file a claim, certain exceptions can make that window longer or shorter. For instance, if the victim is a minor at the time of their injury, the statute of limitations may be tolled until they reach adulthood. On the other hand, if the defendant in your claim is a city or municipality, the window of opportunity to file a claim can be significantly shorter. In fact, it can be as short as a few months.
You might be wondering, Do I need a personal injury lawyer? Or can I go about this on my own? Maine law does not mandate that you have an attorney to pursue a civil lawsuit. However, we advise all accident victims to seek reputable and experienced counsel. Even if you have represented yourself in the past in minor neighborly disputes or an uncontested divorce, personal injury cases are an entirely different scenario. Defendants in personal injury suits are often deep-pocketed corporations or insurance companies that will stop at nothing to pay you as little as possible. We prioritize getting you the compensation you need to make it through this difficult time.
Mann Law operates like most personal injury law firms. We always offer free initial consultations and are paid on a contingency basis. This means we do not take any money upfront and only get paid if and when you do. You can trust that you will receive an honest assessment of your case and exceptional lawyers working tirelessly to see that your case is successful.
Mann Law is a women-run law firm, and we prioritize each client. At Mann Law, you are not just a number; we won’t get paid unless you do! Contact us to schedule a no-cost consultation.
