It always seems that accidents happen when you least expect them, instantly turning your life upside down. Whether it’s a car accident, slip and fall accident, or any other type of personal injury, you may be feeling overwhelmed when trying to figure out your next steps. If you’ve experienced a personal injury in Middletown, Delaware, don’t try to navigate the complex legal landscape alone. Understanding your rights and your options is critical to ensuring you receive the compensation you’re rightfully owed.
The experienced Middletown personal injury attorneys at Rhoades & Morrow have built their entire practice on advocacy for injured citizens across Delaware. Turn to a team backed by over three decades of experience and countless successes. We’re ready to start fighting for you today.
1. Seeking Medical Attention: Your First Priority
After a personal injury, nothing is more important than your health and well-being. Everything else can wait. It’s important to seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor on the surface. The full extent of your injuries may not be apparent right away, and receiving prompt medical care can address any issues, along with providing valuable evidence of your injuries.
2. Understanding Delaware Personal Injury Law
Once you’re on the road to recovery, you should consider your legal rights and options under Delaware law. Delaware’s personal injury legal system is designed to protect individuals who have been harmed due to someone else’s negligence or intentional conduct. Delaware follows a comparative negligence system, meaning that you may be able to collect compensation for a personal injury even if you were partially at fault. However, the amount you receive can be reduced based on your level of responsibility for the incident.
Delaware has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. This means that you have two years from the date of the incident or the date you discovered your injury, if the onset was delayed, to bring forth a personal injury claim. It’s critical to act quickly, as once this deadline has passed, your case no longer has any bargaining power in or out of court.
3. Choosing the Right Middletown Personal Injury Attorney
Don’t make the mistake of overlooking legal representation, even if your case appears “minor” or “simple” on the surface. Selecting the right attorney can have a huge impact on the overall outcome of your case. Look for a law firm in Middletown that specializes in personal injury cases, with years of experience, positive client reviews, and a proven track record of successes behind them. You need an experienced attorney who will guide you through the personal injury claims process, safeguard your rights, and ensure that you are receiving fair compensation for the harm and losses you have faced.
4. Gathering Evidence to Strengthen Your Case
Your case is only as strong as the evidence you can back it up with, and there is no such thing as too much evidence. It is essential to gather and preserve any evidence pertaining to the personal injury, including medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and the like. Your personal injury attorney can assist you in accessing this evidence, backing up your side of the story when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in court.
5. Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Negotiation with insurance companies is an essential step in just about every Delaware personal injury case. Insurance companies generally have two goals: to minimize payouts and to close cases quickly. They prey on the fact that people, without the guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney, often don’t know their rights or the true value of their case. Insurance adjusters, however helpful they may seem, are never fully on your side. They face pressure to settle quickly and move on to the next case, leaving you with a settlement that covers only a fraction of the value of your case. Having an experienced attorney by your side can level the playing field, ensuring that you don’t walk away with anything less than you are rightfully owed.
6. Preparing for Litigation if Necessary
Most personal injury cases are resolved through negotiations and only about five percent reach litigation. However, litigation is an essential step if you are unable to reach a fair settlement that addresses the full extent of the harm you have suffered through negotiations. Your attorney should be prepared to navigate the complexities of taking your case to court to ensure that you see the compensation you are rightfully owed. That’s why it’s vital, even if you hope to resolve your claims through negotiations, to turn to a lawyer with trial experience so they can present a compelling case on your behalf.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Experienced Middletown Personal Injury Lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow
Navigating the legal landscape after a personal injury in Middletown, Delaware requires a strategic and informed approach. However, you do not have to navigate this challenging process alone. The skilled team of personal injury lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow have offices in Wilmington, Newark, Milford, and Lewes and proudly serve clients across Delaware. We offer free and confidential consultations, so call us at (302) 427-9500 or fill out our online form today so we can get started fighting for you.
