New Bedford, MA Personal Injury Lawyer
Pursuing monetary damages through a personal injury lawsuit can be a challenging task. In many cases, plaintiffs must present extensive amounts of complex evidence in order to support their cases. Additionally, defendants are usually represented by their insurance companies with a wealth of resources at their disposal. These insurers can hire attorneys, investigators, and medical experts in their attempts to disprove plaintiffs’ claims.
If you were injured because someone else acted negligently, then you can confidently seek the compensation you deserve with guidance from our legal team. We will communicate with defendants and their insurers on your behalf. Furthermore, we will build your case and negotiate for the full range of monetary damages available to you.
Seek help from our experienced personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of John J. Sheehan by dialing (617) 925-6407 for a free evaluation of your potential case.
How to Recover Damages in a Personal Injury Case in New Bedford, MA
The process for pursuing compensation in a personal injury lawsuit is not always straightforward. Each case is unique and there are several different legal strategies that plaintiffs can employ to recover the damages they are owed. Still, every case will follow the same general process. You can navigate each of the following steps of your potential lawsuit with help from our personal injury lawyers:
Review Your Lawsuit
The first step of your personal injury case will involve evaluating the strength of your claim against another party. In order to recover damages, you will have to prove that your accident was suffered because the defendant acted with negligence. Additionally, you must establish that you suffered injuries because of the accident and that those injuries caused you to incur damages.
There are several different types of negligent conduct that can lead to harmful accidents. For instance, someone may suffer a slip and fall accident because the owner of a property did not appropriately maintain the premises. Also, a devastating car accident may happen because a driver did not exercise reasonable care behind the wheel. While reviewing your case with our legal team, you can evaluate the strength of your claim against another party.
Gather Evidence
The next step of your personal injury case in New Bedford will involve collecting evidence. Initially, you will need to gather evidence that proves the defendant is to blame for your accident. There are several different forms of evidence that can be used to establish fault. For example, an eyewitness may offer testimony that asserts your highway accident happened because the defendant veered outside of their lane. On the other hand, after a slip and fall at a grocery store, surveillance footage may be used to demonstrate that your accident happened because of a wet spot on the floor. The evidence used in your case can vary depending on a multitude of factors surrounding your accident.
Additionally, you must collect evidence that proves you sustained injuries because of your accident and those injuries led to economic or non-economic damages. Typically, your medical records will be sufficient to establish the injuries you suffered. However, proving the damages stemming from those injuries can be a more complex task. Assistance from our legal team can be highly valuable when calculating and establishing damages in your case.
File Your Case
The time limit to file a personal injury lawsuit in Massachusetts is governed by Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 260, § 2A. Usually, you will have three years from the date your injury happened to bring your case to court. If you do not act in accordance with the aforementioned statute of limitations, then the court may dismiss your lawsuit and you will miss out on the opportunity to recover financial compensation.
Furthermore, several other conditions must be adhered to when filing your personal injury lawsuit. For instance, you will need to file in the correct jurisdiction, attach required supporting documents, pay any necessary filing fees, serve defendants, and refrain from filing a frivolous claim. If any of these conditions are not satisfied, you may need to file your case again. Therefore, you should attempt to file your lawsuit as soon as you can. That way, you may have time to re-file if it is necessary.
Negotiate for a Fair Settlement
After filing your personal injury case, it is likely that the defendant will present you with one or multiple settlement offers before going to trial. If you enter into a settlement agreement, then you will receive an agreed-upon sum of damages from the defendant in exchange for the voluntary dismissal of your lawsuit. By settling early, you may save on some of the costs associated with going to trial. For instance, avoiding trial may allow you to save on witness fees and various administrative costs. Furthermore, plaintiffs who settle early are typically compensated more quickly.
Unfortunately, the defendant in your case may try to settle your case for less than it is worth. Defendants and their insurers frequently attempt to entice quick and cheap settlement agreements. It is important to have competent legal representation on your side when negotiating for fair payment. If you are not presented with an acceptable settlement offer, then you must go to trial to recover the monetary damages you are owed.
Go to Trial
At trial, you can recover damages that were not offered during settlement negotiations. However, if your case is unsuccessful, then you may not receive anything from the defendant.
Accordingly, it is also crucial that you have our legal team by your side while trying your case. Our attorneys will present your evidence in a clear and convincing manner. Further, we will ensure that your rights and interests are protected.
Personal Injury Plaintiffs in New Bedford, MA Can Contact Our Attorneys for Help
After being hurt because of someone else’s negligence in New Bedford, get support from our experienced personal injury lawyers by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407 to review your case for free.
