Rhode Island Accident Lawyer Blog
It’s not every day that you need an injury lawyer. So, most people don’t have a lawyer’s business card in their back pocket or an attorney’s phone number on speed dial. But chances are when you find yourself in need of a good personal injury lawyer, you need them fast. Hopefully you won’t find yourself in that position, however if and when you do, here are some questions to ask yourself i
n advance. When you’re involved in a legal situation where you or someone you love has been hurt, it is very stressful. The last thing you need to cause you stress is finding yourself a good lawyer. Do your research ahead of time, be prepared, and find yourself the best injury lawyer for your needs.
What are your needs?
Were you rear ended in a car wreck that was not your fault? Has your parent fallen in a nursing home due to what you feel is the neglect of the nursing home staff? Has your child been bitten by a neighborhood dog that ran into your yard while outside playing? Did you fall and injure yourself after you slipped on water from a ceiling leak at the grocery store? You need an injury lawyer that specializes in your concern. If you were injured in a car crash, you want a lawyer that focuses their time and expertise on car accident law. Nursing home accident? Pick a lawyer that has expertise in nursing home abuse. Dog bite? Choose an attorney that has had success with prior dog bite cases. For a slip and fall accident, pick a lawyer with experience in personal injury caused by slip & fall accidents.
Check that the lawyer has expertise and experience in the specific area of your concern, whether it be a car accident lawyer in Providence, Rhode Island or a personal injury attorney in Fall River, Massachusetts, clarify that the lawyer specializes in your type of case.
What is important to you?
Your lawyer should work for you. Not the other way around. A good lawyer will work around your schedule to accommodate your needs. Make a list of things that are important to you. Do you work in downtown Providence and need a lawyer that is located within walking distance? Have you been hurt in a car accident and hospitalized? Then you need a personal injury lawyer that will come to you in the hospital.
Do you need an attorney you can contact at all hours or accommodate after business hours meeting times? Is your employer strict about non-work related phone calls? Do you need a lawyer who can take a phone call at a time convenient for you, not just them? During your lunch break, perhaps or after work? Maybe its easiest for you to communicate by email in the early morning before you get the kids ready for school. Whatever your schedule, you know what works best for you. A good lawyer will accommodate your needs.
Things to look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer
State Licensing– Make sure the attorney is licensed in the state in which they are practicing. This is important! Some attorneys claim to practice in multiple states and while they may be familiar with the laws of that state they are not actually licensed there. Beware of this! It can cause a huge host of problems with your legal case down the road.
Check the licensing of a Rhode Island Lawyer
Check the licensing of a Massachusetts Lawyer
Education– Verify that the lawyer has graduated from a respected university and law school.
Reviews/Awards– Check online reviews on sites like Yelp or Google Reviews, to see that former or current clients highly rate the lawyer. Check for awards like “Client’s Choice” on avvo.com.
Friend or family recommendation– Ask a trusted friend or family member if they have used a personal injury lawyer in the past and if so, if they were happy with the service and results provided by the attorney.
Specialty Areas– Assure you have a lawyer whose legal practice focuses on the laws pertaining to your specific case, ie. Personal injury law resulting from a vehicle accident.
Services Provided– Are phone calls and emails returned the same day? Is someone always there to answer the phone at all hours? Office location is important too and must be convenient to you. Free and easy parking is a plus.
Hours– Verify the lawyer will meet with and communicate with you at YOUR convenience.
Results- What type of compensation has the injury lawyer won for other clients in cases like yours?
Fees– A good injury attorney will provide a free consultation to assess your case. No money will be exchanged unless you win money for your injuries. The process will be laid out to you in an easy to understand manner.
About Attorney David Tapalian
Attorney David Tapalian specializes in the areas of vehicle accidents, slip and falls, falling objects, dog bites, and pedestrian injuries. He has a genuine love of helping people and great understanding and empathy for the great stress victims experience after an injury or accident. After graduating from Brown University in Providence, RI, Attorney Tapalian went on to Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, RI. David has always lived locally and is well versed in the laws of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Licensed to practice in RI, MA, and Florida, David is accessible to clients 24/7. Attorney Tapalian is highly rated by his clients, who often state they had a better outcome than they ever expected!
Let Attorney David Tapalian and Tapalian Law work for you! If you or a family member is the victim of injuries from a car accident, or another type of accident, contact Tapalian Law for a free consultation, at 401-552-5000, or reach us online with our contact form.