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Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney in Ohio

Suffering from injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence can be traumatic and life-altering. Personal injuries often come with not just the wounds themselves, but also medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. And, many injury victims understandably don’t have the energy or ability to seek the compensation they need and deserve.

If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by someone else, working with a top-rated Ohio personal injury lawyer is the best option for getting a fair settlement. Continue reading to learn more about personal injury laws in Ohio and how a personal injury attorney can help your case.

Broken driver's side window of car due to a possible robbery and assault in Ohio

Why Hire an Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer?

Working with an experienced Ohio personal injury law firm can ensure your case is solid and taken seriously by the insurance company or in court. These attorneys specialize in personal injury law in Ohio and are intricately familiar with how these lawsuits work and what’s required for success.

While you can certainly file a claim or submit a civil suit without legal representation, you will miss out on the advantages of having an expert on your side. Plus, most attorneys specialize in specific personal injury practice areas, such as auto accidents or dog bites. This offers an even higher level of expertise and further increases your chances of obtaining a fair settlement for your losses and damages.

 

Personal Injury Statistics in Ohio

The following are statistics related to various personal injury cases in Ohio:

  • Ohio ranked second in the nation for the highest rate of personal injury incidents, with the most personal injuries per capita occurring in 2023.
  • There were 3,572 total personal injury cases in 2023, making up 44.28% of the state’s civil caseload.
  • There were 88,600 nonfatal work injuries reported in Ohio in 2022 in the private industry sector.
  • The education and health services and trade, transportation, and utilities industries had the highest rates of personal injuries in 2022.
  • In 2022, there were 1,096 fatal car accidents and 214 fatal motorcycle accidents in Ohio.
  • There were 1,906 serious injuries and 9,609 minor injuries as a result of crashes in 2022.

These are just a few of the many types of personal injuries suffered in Ohio over previous years. Personal injuries can happen in various ways; however, statistics are not readily available for all accident types.

 

Types of Cases Ohio Personal Injury Lawyers Accept

Not every injury case qualifies for a claim or lawsuit. Personal injury attorneys typically only work with cases with strong evidence supporting them and fall within specific categories.

Some common types of cases accepted by Ohio personal injury law firms include:

If you’re unsure whether your case qualifies for representation, consider setting up a free consultation with an experienced attorney in your area to discuss the details of your injury.

 

Common Injuries in Ohio Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury cases involve various injury types, and no specific injury must be sustained to qualify for a case. In most cases, the kind of accident will largely influence the injury or injuries incurred.

Common injuries seen in Ohio personal injury lawsuits and cases include:

  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Concussions
  • Amputation
  • Disfigurement
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Bruises
  • Sprains and strains
  • Death

 

Eligibility for Personal Injury Lawsuits in Ohio

Specific criteria must be met for a case to be eligible for a personal injury lawsuit in Ohio. Understanding these criteria can help you determine whether hiring an attorney to seek compensation is worthwhile.

In most cases, the following criteria must be met for Ohio personal injury lawsuits:

  • You suffered an injury as a direct result of an accident caused by another person or party.
  • The at-fault party acted negligently, and their negligence was the primary reason for the accident.
  • You have evidence to support the fact that your injuries happened due to another person’s fault or negligence.
  • You suffered damages, such as medical expenses or lost wages, due to your injuries.

Your attorney can help you decide whether your case is strong enough for a lawsuit and assist in gathering the necessary evidence to support it.

Legal Options for Victims of Personal Injury in Ohio

There are generally two options available to personal injury victims in Ohio.

Personal Injury Lawsuits

If you’ve suffered injuries due to another party’s negligence and fault and incurred damages as a result, you’ll want to file a personal injury lawsuit. These lawsuits allow you to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.

A personal injury lawsuit is initiated when you or your attorney file a formal complaint with the court detailing the injury, accident, and parties involved. However, it’s important to note that 90% of personal injury cases are settled outside of court.

To ensure you meet the statute of limitations in Ohio, you must file a claim or lawsuit within two years of the injury.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits

If a family member or loved one was killed in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you’ll want to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of lawsuit allows you to seek compensation for damages such as medical bills, funeral expenses, burial costs, and lost future wages.

 

Factors in Ohio Personal Injury Cases

Several factors play a role in the viability and outcome of Ohio personal injury cases.

Fault & Negligence

Ohio is an at-fault state, which means in the case of motor vehicle accidents, the at-fault party is responsible for covering damages for all victims. So, if you are injured in a collision caused by someone else, in most cases, you will file a personal injury claim with their insurance company.

This is also typically true for other types of accidents, such as slips and falls. For example, suppose you experience an injury after slipping on a wet spot in a store because the owner failed to put up proper signage. In that case, the property owner’s insurance is responsible for your damages.

In nearly all personal injury cases, you must be able to prove that the other party was responsible and negligent.

Accident Severity

The severity of the accident in which you sustained injuries often plays a role in the amount and cost of damages and, therefore, the settlement amount.

Additionally, some attorneys will only work with more severe accident cases that are easy to prove. Courts may also throw out very minor accidents with little or no damages.

Injury Severity

Similar to accident severity, how serious the injuries incurred in the accident can also impact a case’s outcome and viability. More severe injuries typically result in more extensive damages, meaning a potentially higher settlement.

Amount of Damages

Both economic and non-economic damages are considered in Ohio personal injury cases. Economic damages are those with a dollar amount, such as lost wages and medical costs. These are easier to prove and often easier to win a settlement for.

Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, can be more challenging to prove in court and may not always result in a fair payout or a settlement at all.

 

How to Get Legal Help If You Are Injured in Ohio

If you’ve been injured in an accident and want to pursue compensation, consider the following steps to obtain legal help in Ohio.

1. Get a Free Consultation with an Ohio Personal Injury Attorney

Many personal injury attorneys in Ohio provide complimentary consultations for prospective clients. These consultations allow you to inquire about the attorney’s experience and expertise. You can also ask questions about the qualifications of your case.

2. Gather Documentation of Your Injury

Several documents are needed to support and prove your case when filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit.

Some of the most important documents to have on hand include:

  • Police reports
  • Witness statements
  • Documentation of injuries, such as doctors’ notes, X-rays, or MRIs
  • Medical bills
  • Images and/or video of the scene of the accident and what caused it

3. File Your Personal Injury Claim

The last step is to file a personal claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company or submit a complaint to the court. If you hire an attorney, they will do this on your behalf as well as represent you throughout the remainder of the process.

 

Can an Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer Get You a Higher Settlement?

In short, Ohio personal injury attorneys can usually help you get a higher settlement. These professionals possess in-depth knowledge of Ohio personal injury laws, allowing them to successfully navigate a case and ensure your rights are respected and upheld.

They can also help make sure you have a strong case that would be difficult for a court or insurance company to deny.

 

Qualities to Look for in Ohio Personal Injury Lawyers

When searching for an Ohio personal injury or accident attorney to hire for your case, consider the following qualifications:

  • A strong reputation in the community
  • Courtroom experience
  • Transparency
  • Integrity
  • A proven history of successful cases
  • An experienced legal team
  • Contingency-based fees
  • Accolades and/or awards supporting their track record and commitment to clients
  • Ample positive client testimonials
  • Abundant firm resources

 

Find a Top Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer Today

You don’t have to search for the perfect Ohio personal injury lawyer on your own. LegalFinders is committed to helping personal injury victims like you connect with the most qualified and fit legal representation based on your unique needs and case.

If you want help finding a top-rated attorney in your area, contact LegalFinders today. We can provide you with a free case consultation to better understand your needs. From there, we will connect you with a reputable and proven personal injury lawyer who can help you get the compensation you need and deserve.

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Published: 9 April 2024

ARTICLE SOURCES

Ohio State Highway Patrol. “Activity Summaries & Complaints.” Retrieved from: https://statepatrol.ohio.gov/dashboards-statistics/statistics/activity-summaries-and-complaints/activity-summaries-and-complaints.

The Yale Ledger. “The Basics of Personal Injury.” Retrieved from: https://campuspress.yale.edu/ledger/the-basics-of-personal-injury/.

WRNJ. Data reveals New Jersey as state with third highest rate of personal injury cases nationwide.” Retrieved from: https://wrnjradio.com/data-reveals-new-jersey-as-state-with-third-highest-rate-of-personal-injury-cases-nationwide/.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Midwest Information Office.” Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/news-release/workplaceinjuriesandillnesses_ohio.htm.

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