Local Personal Injury Attorneys Answer Your Questions about Fighting for Compensation
When pursuing a personal injury claim, it is important to have an idea of what losses can be recovered. Without knowing what you are getting into, you can put in a significant amount of effort and emotional investment only to find yourself right back where you started. At Fales & Fales, P.A., we are experienced in helping our clients successfully pursue claims for just compensation. What follows are answers to some frequently asked questions about compensation for personal injury claims in Maine.
1. What types of damages are available in Maine car accident and other personal injury claims?
In personal injury cases, damages serve two main functions: to compensate victims for their out-of-pocket expenses (referred to as “economic losses”) and to compensate victims for suffering and other non-economic losses.
Compensable losses in Maine personal injury claims include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages due to time missed from work as a result of the accident
- Lost future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
In cases involving malice on the part of the defendant, our lawyers may also be able to pursue claims for punitive damages.
2. What can I do to improve my chances of obtaining maximum compensation?
To prove your damages to the fullest extent, there are things you should do and things you should not. For example,
Do:
- Take photos of the accident scene and collect as much information as possible
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Contact a personal injury lawyer and follow his or her legal advice
Do not:
- Speak to the insurance companies for the other party
- Ignore your doctor’s advice
- Talk about your accident on social media
3. Is my personal injury claim limited by the amount of the negligent party’s (or parties’) insurance?
Not necessarily. First, other insurance policies may also apply to your accident and provide additional insurance coverage. Second, just because a party has insurance does not mean you are limited to the amount of the party’s insurance. The party may have assets over and above the insurance that might be available.
As a practical matter, the specific facts of your case determine whether it is worthwhile to pursue a claim outside of insurance. For example, if you suffered injuries in a car accident caused by a driver who rents an apartment and does not have any significant assets, an insurance recovery may be your only real option. On the other hand, in trucking accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, and cases involving prescription drug errors, there may be corporations with significant insurance coverage or significant available assets.
A personal injury lawyer can investigate available insurance coverage and can investigate the potential for recovery against the other party’s assets if insurance coverage is insufficient or not available.
4. Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?
Before accepting an insurance company’s settlement offer, consider talking first to a personal injury lawyer about the true value of your claim. The insurance companies rely on victims’ inexperience and vulnerability in order to settle cases quickly and for as little as possible. By hiring an attorney, you can put a stop to the insurance company’s phone calls and ensure that your case gets resolved with your best interests in mind.
5. How much is my case worth?
The answer depends on the unique circumstances of your case. Each case truly is different. Facts such as your prior medical condition, the scope and nature of your injuries, the cause (or causes) of the accident, your employment history, your family circumstances, and the location where the accident occurred all come into play.
We will conduct a thorough investigation so that we can estimate the value of your current and future economic and non-economic losses. With that information, you can make an informed decision about whether to pursue your case.
6. How long will it take to receive money for my injuries?
Some cases settle quickly. Some take longer to settle. Some cases do not settle at all and instead go to trial.
In each case, we work closely with our clients to understand their priorities. Settling as quickly as possible is not always consistent with obtaining maximum value for your losses. We will do everything in our power to win the full compensation you deserve.
7. What are some examples of Fales & Fales, P.A.’s largest settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases?
Attorney Anthony Ferguson is credited with winning what was reported as the largest personal injury verdict – roughly $4.4 million – in Maine history. His clients were a man who suffered brain and neck injuries in a fall at a well-known ski area and the man’s wife. We have also obtained seven-figure settlements in multiple auto accident cases and have helped numerous other clients recover tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars for a wide variety of injuries. Read about some of our case results.
Contact Fales & Fales, P.A. in Lewiston for a Free Consultation
If you have more questions about seeking damages for personal injuries in Maine, we encourage you to contact us for a free consultation. We have decades of experience providing legal advice and helping our clients win maximum compensation for their injuries. To speak with an attorney about your case, call our Lewiston law offices at (888) 526-9408 or contact us online today.
