Many people are reluctant to hire a lawyer for injuries that seem relatively minor. For example, if you get into a car accident and you only have a few scrapes and bruises and a sore neck, you may not feel it is necessary to hire a lawyer. However, bear in mind, injuries can get worse over time, and you may still incur medical expenses that you should not have to pay if the accident was not your fault. If your injuries turn out to be worse than you expected and you have already accepted a settlement offer from an insurance company, there will be nothing you can do as you give up any and all future claims when you settle. Attempting to handle a claim on your own only to hire a lawyer down the road complicates the process, so it's important to have an attorney by your side from the beginning, so your case is handled correctly. If you are unsure whether you have a legitimate case or you may be partially at-fault for the accident, you should still contact experienced personal injury lawyer Ann Sheeley. Remember, you have nothing to lose by requesting a free consultation. In addition, Rhode Island is what is called a “pure comparative negligence” state, meaning it does not require the other party to be 100% at fault for you to have a viable claim.