Norwich Personal Injury Lawyer

What You Do After an Injury Matters – Advice From a Norwich Personal Injury Lawyer

Accidents happen quickly, but what you do in the hours, days, and weeks that follow can make a real difference in your recovery and your legal options. If you’ve been hurt in or around Norwich, CT, and you’re thinking about reaching out to a Norwich personal injury lawyer, I want to help you understand how to protect yourself and your rights from the start. I’m Eric Santoro, and I’ve worked with many people who were injured because someone else made a careless decision. Whether it was a car crash, a fall, or another preventable event, these cases often share one thing in common: small choices early on can shape the outcome of your claim in a big way.

One of the most common things I hear from people is, “I didn’t think I needed a lawyer until things started getting complicated.” That’s fair—most people don’t expect to find themselves dealing with accident reports, medical records, or insurance adjusters. But once those pieces are in motion, small missteps—like giving a recorded statement to an insurance company, skipping a follow-up appointment, or underestimating your injury—can make it harder to recover the compensation you need later. I don’t say that to scare you. I say it because I’ve seen it firsthand. The good news is that most of these missteps can be avoided with a little guidance.

If you’ve been injured, the most important thing to do first is focus on your health. Get checked out by a medical professional, even if you think it’s “not that bad.” Some injuries take days to fully develop, especially neck, back, or head injuries. And those medical records? They matter—not just for your well-being, but because they help document what you went through. If you wait too long, it gives insurance companies room to argue that your injury wasn’t serious or wasn’t related to the accident at all. The next thing I recommend: don’t give a statement or sign anything from an insurance company until you’ve spoken with someone about your rights. It’s not about being difficult—it’s about being cautious, because once you sign, it’s often final.

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How I Help Clients Avoid Mistakes That Could Hurt Their Case

When someone calls me after an injury in the Norwich area, they’re usually stressed, unsure what to do, and already overwhelmed by the system. Maybe they’re missing work, waiting on test results, or trying to figure out who’s supposed to pay their medical bills. Maybe someone’s already blaming them for something they know wasn’t their fault. That’s where I come in. I help people make sense of the situation and avoid the common mistakes that insurance companies often rely on to deny or reduce claims. My approach is simple: I listen to what happened, explain how the process works, and help clients make clear, informed decisions at every step.

If I take on your case, I’m the one handling it. Not a case manager, not a junior associate—just me. I’ll help you gather the documentation you need, track your treatment, and deal with the insurance company so you can focus on healing. I’ll also help you avoid one of the biggest mistakes of all: settling too soon. After an injury, especially if you’re out of work or dealing with bills, it’s easy to accept the first offer that comes your way. But those early offers often fall short of what you’ll actually need. They rarely account for future medical care, ongoing pain, missed income, or the way your injury will affect your life going forward.

Another mistake people make is thinking that if the insurance company says something, it must be true. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reviewed cases where someone was told they were partially or fully at fault, when the actual evidence told a very different story. It’s not your job to argue that. It’s mine. I dig into the facts, talk to witnesses when possible, review scene photos or surveillance footage, and put together the kind of claim that’s built on more than just assumptions.

I also understand that not every injury leads to a lawsuit, and not every person wants one. My goal isn’t to push anyone into legal action they’re not comfortable with. My goal is to give people the information they need to protect themselves and to level the playing field when someone else’s negligence has turned their life upside down. That’s why I offer free consultations and don’t charge anything upfront. I work on a contingency fee basis, which means I only get paid if I recover money for you.

If you were injured in Norwich—or anywhere nearby—and you’re not sure what to do next, I encourage you to reach out. Even if you’re not ready to file a claim, I can help you understand your options and avoid the kinds of mistakes that might cost you down the road. Sometimes, just having someone who knows the system explain what’s happening can take a big weight off your shoulders. I do this work because I believe in standing up for people who’ve been hurt, and I take that responsibility seriously.

Accidents are unexpected. The process that follows doesn’t have to be confusing or overwhelming. With the right help, it can be clear, manageable, and even empowering. If you’re looking for a Norwich personal injury lawyer who will give you real information, honest answers, and one-on-one attention, I’m here. I’ll treat your case like it matters—because to you, it absolutely does.