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Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in Ohio

You may have many questions when you are involved in a car wreck, we are here to help! We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions by car accident victims in the state of Ohio.

What are the most common causes for car accidents in Ohio?

Some of the most common causes for car accidents in Ohio include distracted driving, speeding, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Other potential causes for car accidents include inexperienced drivers, road rage, and weather-related road conditions.

How much do car accident lawyers charge in Ohio?

Every individual law firm has its own rules about how services are charged and paid for, but most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.

This means that instead of paying upfront fees or an hourly cost, people instead pay out a percentage of their settlement award to their lawyer at the completion of the case.

Why should I hire a lawyer after a car accident in Ohio?

While it is not a requirement to hire a lawyer after a car accident in Ohio, doing so can help ensure that your claim or lawsuit runs smoothly from start to finish.

A good car accident attorney will make sure your rights are protected, that all important deadlines are met, and that the evidence and testimony for your case is as strong as possible.

How do I find the best car accident lawyer in Ohio?

One of the best ways to find a car accident lawyer is to take recommendations from friends and family who have worked with an attorney they liked.

You can also find a top-quality personal injury lawyer at any time by contacting LegalFinders and taking part in a free case review.

How long does a car accident settlement take in Ohio?

There is no certain way to predict how long a car settlement will take in Ohio, as every case is unique and subject to many factors.

Some Ohio car accident claims take only a few months to reach a settlement, while others may instead take several years.

If you have recently been in a car accident in Ohio, you may have a lot of questions about what kind of legal options you have and whether you should take action.

In the event that you or one of your passengers was seriously injured in your accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation to help cover medical bills and other expenses.

By filing a claim or lawsuit against the insurance company of the at-fault party, you could receive the compensation you deserve along with justice for your injuries.

Contact LegalFinders today for a free case review and to be connected with a top-quality car accident attorney in Ohio.

Ohio Car Accident Lawyers

Who Needs An Ohio Car Accident Lawyer?

Not everyone who gets into a car accident needs a car accident lawyer in order to proceed with a claim or lawsuit.

For very simple cases, people may be able to comfortably file their own claim. For most cases, however, an attorney can make the legal process much more comfortable.

You may need an Ohio car accident lawyer if:

  • You do not know how to proceed after a car accident and would like guidance
  • You or the other driver involved did not have insurance at the time of the accident
  • You or a loved one were seriously injured
  • A loved one passed away in the accident
  • There are disputes over who was at fault for the accident

 

Ohio Car Accident Statistics

According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, there were 265,512 accidents in Ohio in 2022, with 1,275 fatalities.

The majority of accidents in Ohio occur in the state’s major cities.

Most Dangerous Highways In Ohio

Roads in Ohio can be dangerous for a few different reasons, with potholes, congested roads, frequent construction, and winter weather conditions being just a few of the main culprits.

Most dangerous highways in Ohio include:

  • Interstate 71: Considered Ohio’s most dangerous highway, this road passes through the entire state of Ohio, including three major cities.
  • Interstate 80: This highway is subject to heavy snow in the winter and other dangerous lake-effects from the Great Lakes.
  • Interstate 76: This highway is known for its abrupt speed limit changes that make drivers prone to pile-ups.
  • Interstate 77: Winter weather can be a major problem on this highway, as well as frequent construction and distracted drivers.
  • Highway 271: This highway experiences heavy traffic during rush hour and has lanes that change width frequently, which can be confusing to drivers who are unfamiliar.
  • Interstate 480: This interstate, which mostly runs through Cleveland, is dangerous due to speeding and high traffic, especially during rush hour.

Top Ohio Areas For Speeding Citations

Midwestern states are known for having a lot of speeding drivers on the roads, and Ohio is no exception.

Top areas for speeding citations in Ohio include:

  • Columbus
  • Cleveland
  • Akron
  • Cincinnati
  • Toledo

 

Legal Options After A Car Crash In Ohio

When it comes to seeking financial compensation for car accident damages there are two options that you can legally seek; the first is a car accident claim, followed by a lawsuit.

Personal Injury Claims

Because Ohio is an at-fault state for auto insurance, you can immediately file a claim for compensation with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

If Ohio were instead a no-fault insurance state, someone would have to file a claim first with their own insurance provider.

Car Accident Lawsuits

In case your claim does not reach a settlement, do not fear that you are out of options to get the compensation you deserve. Your next step is to file a car accident lawsuit.

One of the major benefits of a car accident lawsuit is that a verdict award can be significantly higher than a settlement award, however, lawsuits can take much longer to reach completion.

 

Why Hire A Lawyer For An Ohio Car Accident Claim?

While you are not legally required to hire a lawyer in Ohio for a car accident, you may be wondering if it would be a good idea to do so.

Reasons to hire a lawyer for an Ohio car accident claim include:

  • Your case is complex, and involves multiple drivers and extensive damages
  • Your case involved serious injuries or a wrongful death
  • You are hoping to keep your claim from turning into a lawsuit
  • You do not have enough legal expertise or knowledge to handle your own case
  • Your accident involved an uninsured driver, whether you or the other motorist
  • You want to be sure that you claim all of your damages and medical expenses

If you are still undecided, it may be a good idea to speak with multiple lawyers and discuss how they would handle your case if hired.

 

What Does An Ohio Car Accident Lawyer Do?

A personal injury attorney can provide a lot of benefits when taking on a car accident case.

Assess Your Car Accident Case

Not everyone who is interested in filing a car accident claim or lawsuit is actually eligible for one, but a free consultation through a reputable Ohio law firm can help you determine your eligibility pretty quickly.

Law firms almost always offer initial consultations for free so people can determine their eligibility without any financial risk.

Determine Car Accident Causes

Even if the cause of your car accident seems obvious and unquestionable to you, there may be angles that you have not considered.

The cause of your accident is important, as it relates heavily to fault and negligence, and a car accident attorney will have previous experience in determining car accident causes.

Determine The At-Fault Party

Fault is an extremely important component to any car accident case, but particularly in states with at-fault insurance laws.

The presence of fault will essentially determine the roles of claimant and defendant for a car accident case.

Prove Negligence In The Accident

Negligence occurs when a person’s careless actions result in harm to another person. Most people who are negligent do not intend to be negligent.

When it comes to car accident law, a person must be found negligent in addition to being found at fault in order to be liable for the accident.

Examine Your Injury Medical Records

Your medical records will be used as evidence for your case to show both the extent of your injuries and the extent of any related medical expenses.

Common car accident injuries include:

  • Burns
  • Cuts and scrapes
  • Whiplash
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Limb loss
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Disfigurement
  • Broken bones
  • Death

File Your Car Accident Claim

It is very important that your car accident claim be filed in a timely manner, before the statute of limitations expires and you are no longer able to take legal action.

The statute of limitations for personal injury cases varies across states, and is two years in the state of Ohio.

Negotiate Your Car Accident Settlement

Your car accident attorney will act as your legal communicator and negotiate with insurance adjusters and the lawyers for the defendant until a fair settlement is agreed upon.

Without a personal injury attorney for representation during this part of the claims process, a person could easily lose out on the maximum compensation they deserve.

Defend Your Car Accident Lawsuit

Only in rare cases do care accident cases end up in court before a judge or jury, but in the event that yours does it will be important to have a strong and confident lawyer representing you.

Both parties generally want to avoid going to court, as it can be expensive and time-consuming, so in most cases the negotiations will end up with a fair settlement.

What Types Of Cases Do Car Accident Lawyers Handle?

Ohio car accident lawyers handle many different types of cases, though one might specialize in a specific type of car accident case, such as motorcycle or truck accident cases.

Types of car accident cases that lawyers handle include:

 

What To Do Before You Call An Ohio Car Accident Attorney

While you may be tempted to call an accident attorney immediately after an accident, there are a few steps you can take first.

1. Report The Car Accident

According to Ohio law, an accident only needs to be reported to the police if the accident resulted in a fatality, an injury that required medical care, or property damage of more than $1,000.

Even if none of these apply to you, you may still want to report the accident in case damages or injuries turn out to be worse than originally thought.

2. Get Emergency Medical Care

Always seek medical attention immediately following a car accident, and encourage anyone else who was your passenger in the accident to do the same, even if they feel okay.

When seeking medical treatment, make sure to keep detailed records — these documents may be important evidence later on for your case.

3. Gather Evidence From The Scene Of The Accident

A car accident can be a traumatic experience, and you are likely not thinking about how to prepare for your claim immediately afterward.

If you are in a good physical and mental state after your accident, try to gather a few items that might serve as evidence later on.

Important evidence from the accident scene can include:

  • Pictures of all vehicles involved in the accident
  • Pictures of the environment and surrounding scene
  • Witness statements from passengers and bystanders
  • A copy of the police report or accident report

4. Exchange Information With The At-Fault Driver

While you don’t necessarily need to be friendly with the at-fault driver, you will need to speak with them enough to gather a bit of important information.

Items to collect from the at-fault driver include:

  • Contact information, including phone number
  • License plate number
  • Driver’s license information
  • Insurance information

5. Collect Eyewitness Statements

In addition to taking down your own personal statement while the accident is fresh in your mind, you should try to speak with as many witnesses of the accident as you can.

These witness statements can not only serve as evidence later on, but they also may give you a better understanding of your accident and potential causes for it.

 

Top Benefits Of Ohio Car Accident Lawyers

There are numerous benefits to using a car accident lawyer after a car wreck in Ohio that can make finding a good lawyer worthwhile.

Accident Damages Assessment

At the start of your case, you will want to make sure you have an accurate assessment of all collision damages for your accident.

Since you will be seeking financial compensation for all damages listed on your claim or lawsuit, all damages need to be listed and assessed.

Connections To Expert Witnesses

Depending on the circumstances of your case, expert witnesses may be necessary to provide testimony during the discovery stage of your case.

Expert witnesses who may be called on for a car accident case can include medical experts and also meteorologists, traffic experts, and road construction experts.

Thorough Discovery Process

During the discovery process, both parties will present their evidence and the witnesses that will be called. This allows both sides to prepare and prevents any surprises.

When discovery is thorough and accurate and both sides are allowed to prepare, it is more likely that the case will reach a settlement — and in a more timely manner, too.

Communicating With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies play an important role in every car accident case, but they may try to take advantage of you or trick you to get out of paying what they owe.

With a good lawyer on your side, your rights will always be protected and you will have someone to speak for you and stand up for you in all negotiations.

Knowledge Of Ohio Car Accident Law

Car accident cases can be complex, so it is important that lawyers have a good understanding of Ohio car accident laws.

Relevant Ohio car accident laws include:

  • Statute of limitations: This rule in Ohio states that a person has two years to file a personal injury claim after the date of their accident.
  • Fault insurance laws: Ohio is an at-fault state, so people may file claims against the insurance companies for at-fault drivers after an accident.
  • Ohio’s modified comparative negligence rule: This rule states that accident victims who are not more than 50% at fault for an accident may seek to recover damages.

Current Updates For Your Case

A car accident attorney can do all the hard work for you while you relax and recover from any injuries you incurred from the accident.

They will, of course, update you at every step and ensure that you are always in the know about any important developments in your case.

Improved Car Accident Case Outcomes

Research has shown that car accident settlement outcomes are consistently better and settlement awards are higher in cases where professional legal representation is involved.

If you are looking for the highest settlement or verdict amount possible for your Ohio car accident case, it really is in your best interest to work with an auto accident attorney.

 

Tips For Choosing A Quality Ohio Car Accident Lawyer

Choosing the right car accident lawyer is an important decision, as they will be with you every step of the way throughout the claims process.

Tips for choosing a quality Ohio car accident lawyer include:

  • Choose a lawyer with years of experience or a law firm with a consistent presence in the industry.
  • Speak to multiple lawyers before narrowing your choice down.
  • Choose a personal injury firm that specializes in auto accident cases.
  • Seek recommendations from friends and family members.
  • Choose a law firm that has a nationwide presence and a solid reputation.
  • Ask any potential lawyers or law firms about their track record of successful cases.
  • Meet lawyers in person before making any hiring decisions.
  • Trust your instincts — whether a lawyer feels right or wrong to you should factor into your decision.

 

Cost Of Ohio Car Accident Lawyers

It is common for car accident lawyers in all states to charge on what is known as a contingency fee basis. This means that your legal services are essentially free until your case reaches a settlement or verdict.

Once your case reaches a settlement, your lawyer would then receive a percentage of the award amount, usually between 30 and 40%.

 

LegalFinders Can Connect You With Experienced Car Accident Law Firms

As the victim of a car accident, you deserve compensation for the bills you have incurred and the pain and suffering you have experienced.

Car accident victims seeking compensation can contact LegalFinders to be connected with an experienced Ohio car accident attorney who can help.

To discuss your eligibility and get started today with a free consultation, reach out to us on our 24/7 toll-free hotline.

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Published: 27 January 2022

ARTICLE SOURCES

Ohio Department of Public Safety. “Statewide Crash Statistics.” Retrieved from: https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/what-we-do/our-programs/ohio-traffic-safety-office-sa/traffic-safety-reports/crash-statistics.

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