The streets of Ohio are becoming more congested every day. With so many vehicles on the road, accidents are bound to happen. In the best of cases, these collisions are minor and do not result in injuries. Most of the time, though, crashes result in injuries that impact victims for weeks, months, and sometimes even years to come.
If you have been hurt in an accident caused by another person’s careless actions, you can file a claim for financial compensation. There are many challenges that can arise in these claims, however. An auto accident lawyer near you can guide you through the process and give you the best chance of obtaining the settlement you deserve.
Auto accidents in Ohio are governed by tort law. This means that after a crash, you must file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. You must present evidence that proves the other driver caused the crash, and the extent of your injuries, to claim damages. It is a mistake to assume that claiming the compensation you deserve from the insurance company will be easy.
Insurance adjusters have one priority and that is protecting the profits of the company. They engage in many strategies in an effort to delay, reduce, or outright deny your claim. They may ask you to provide a recorded statement, to which you should never agree. They may also ask you to sign a medical release so they can search through your medical records looking for a pre-existing condition. You also should never sign this document, or any other before a lawyer has reviewed it.
After any accident, you should contact an auto accident lawyer near you. An attorney will negotiate with the insurance adjuster on your behalf so your claim remains protected.
After an auto accident, you have the legal right to claim financial compensation for your injuries and other losses. You can claim economic damages, which have an actual dollar value, such as your medical expenses and lost income. You can also claim non-economic damages, which do not have a concrete dollar value. These damages include compensation for your pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement, and more.
Although you do have the right to pursue compensation for all of your losses after a crash, you only have a limited amount of time to do so. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. In Ohio, the statute of limitations is only two years from the date of the crash. If you do not file your claim before this time limit expires, you will lose any right to claim damages at all.
If you have been hurt in a collision, time may be running out on your claim. At Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC, our auto accident lawyers near you will ensure your claim is filed properly and on time so you recover the fair settlement you deserve. Call us now or contact us online to request a free consultation.
All of our partners are AV Peer Review Rated* through Martindale-Hubbell. Out-of-state referrals are welcome for all
areas of practice we handle, including personal injury, workers’ compensation and insurance claims issues.