In the aftermath of a side-impact collision in Dayton, victims often face not only physical injuries but also the complexity of navigating the legal system to seek justice and compensation. Our law firm’s Dayton Car Accident Lawyer team is dedicated to providing expert legal guidance and support, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
If another driver’s negligence caused the crash that led to your injuries or the loss of your spouse, child, or another family member, a Dayton, OH, side-impact collision car accident lawyer can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable for your damages. You can learn more about your legal options during a free case consultation.
The Dangers of Side-Impact Traffic Collisions
While head-on car accidents have the highest victim fatality rate, accidents that occur at an angle, such as side-impact or T-bone collisions, occur more commonly. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that in 2018, side-impact collisions took the lives of nearly one-quarter of all accident victims who suffered fatal injuries in the U.S.
An article from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) addresses the injury risk of passengers in side-impact collisions. Researchers found that those seated in the rear on the side of the vehicle that sustained impact had a significantly higher risk of suffering injuries regardless of their age.
Modern side-impact airbags (SABs) have helped minimize injuries for adults and children alike, but safety equipment alone cannot eliminate the dangers of side-impact collisions. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a Montgomery County accident, a Dayton side-impact collisions lawyer can help you pursue a financial recovery.
Common Injuries in Side-Impact Collisions
In the study noted above, researchers examined the effects of a side-impact collision on 64 passengers seated on the side that was struck. The results revealed the prevalence of many serious and even potentially fatal injuries.
Nearly half of the passengers suffered chest and abdomen injuries, including heart and spleen trauma. Some also suffered injuries to the head and face, while others had pelvic or lower extremity injuries. Of all the recorded injuries, those to the heart proved fatal most often. However, other injuries you could sustain in a Dayton side-impact collision include:
- Acute burns
- Cuts and abrasions
- Internal bruises
- Disfigurement
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal injury and paralysis
You do not have to face these challenges alone if you suffered severe injuries in a side-impact crash due to someone else’s negligence. A Dayton injury attorney familiar with side-impact collisions can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
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How a Dayton Side-Impact Collisions Lawyer Can Help You with Your Case
Dealing with the aftermath of your accident is enough on its own, and trying to manage a case against the liable party by yourself may present even more challenges. Our lawyers can assist you through each step of the process, from your initial evaluation to closing your case.
Understanding the full impact of your injuries and how they affect your life is crucial in building a strong compensation case. Whether it’s medical expenses, lost income, or the emotional toll of the accident, our Dayton Personal Injury Lawyer is committed to advocating on your behalf. We aim to make the legal process as smooth and stress-free as possible, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
We take critical steps to help you prove negligence and seek the financial awards you deserve.
Some of the client-centric services we offer are outlined below:
Collecting Evidence
Car accident claims typically begin with a thorough investigation in which your lawyer, other driver’s insurance companies, and their legal teams examine the circumstances of the collision to determine who holds fault and how much your injuries are worth.
When our team investigates on behalf of a client, we may collect certain types of evidence from them and others involved in the accident, such as:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Cell phone records
- Medical records
- Photos of injuries and the scene
- Sobriety tests
- Traffic camera footage
Gathering this information is key to protecting yourself against unfair blame. To reduce their liability, insurance adjusters may attempt to assign you some or all of the blame for the accident. By reducing their liability, they could reduce the value of your damage settlement, per Ohio Revised Code (ORC) § 2315.33.
As personal injury lawyers, we work to build a case that solidifies your claim against the other driver and undermines any suggestions about your role in the collision.
Establishing Liability
Once we have collected the documentation, testimonies, and other evidence to prove liability, we will use them to determine if we can hold the other party responsible for your collision. To establish negligence, we must demonstrate:
- That the other party was responsible for keeping you safe by following traffic laws and exercising caution
- That they failed to uphold this duty when they acted recklessly or inappropriately
- That the driver’s carelessness led to your injuries, the loss of your loved one, and related damages.
Because every accident has different factors to consider when determining fault, your Dayton car wreck lawyer can explain how they determined responsibility and how that decision affects your settlement value and legal strategy.
After establishing fault for your accident, your attorneys will decide who to seek compensation from. In some cases, there is more than one at-fault party. Through a thorough investigation, your attorney can determine all the responsible parties and hold them fully accountable for your losses. Parties who you could hold liable in a side-impact injury claim include:
- Third-party drivers
- The company that owns a commercial vehicle or employs the driver who hit you
- The cargo company that loaded the commercial vehicle
- The company or individual responsible for vehicle upkeep if faulty maintenance led to the accident
- The manufacturer or distributor of the vehicle, if a failed component or system caused the crash
- A government municipality if hazardous road conditions were to blame
Pursuing Financial Recovery for You
In many cases, victims of car accidents qualify for compensation for their injuries and financial losses. Families of victims who passed away may also qualify to recover damages. The amount you may receive depends on factors such as the extent of your injuries and the impact your loss or injuries had on your life.
Awards may include recovery for:
- Your medical care or the medical care of your loved one
- Devices or home and auto modifications needed to accommodate post-injury life
- Wages you lost while taking time off work to recover
- Your loss of earning potential resulting from your injury
- The loss of a spouse or parent
- The cost of your loved one’s funeral and burial
- The pain and suffering you experienced because of the accident, such as loss of consortium or permanent disfigurement
A side-impact collision attorney in Dayton, Ohio, will work with you to determine which damages you can claim. We aim to maximize your claim value so that you can recover the total financial value of your losses. While we cannot guarantee a settlement value, we will fight for your legal right to fair compensation.
Conducting Negotiations and Taking Your Case to Court
When you work with the legal experts of our Ohio law firm, you receive support for every aspect of your insurance claim and legal case. We will protect your legal right to compensation and aggressively pursue a just settlement from the at-fault party and their insurance company.
Some insurance companies try to save money by diminishing the settlement value through lowball offers or shifting blame for the accident. However, after decades of representing Ohio injury victims like you, we know how to handle these tactics and will work to negotiate a settlement out of court
While many car accident claims settle out of court, there are times when we cannot reach a settlement agreement. However, our attorneys stand ready to take your case to trial when this occurs. We understand how Ohio law limits the time you have to file your lawsuit and will submit it before the statute of limitations runs out.
The Price of Retaining a Car Accident Lawyer in Ohio
Our Dayton accident attorney can immediately begin working on your side impact collision case without additional expense. Since we take contingency cases, we don’t ask for any money upfront to start working on your case. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our payment procedures, we will be happy to discuss them during a free consultation.
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How to Approach Your Case Evaluation Appointment
The point of hiring a Dayton, OH, personal injury lawyer is to maximize your chances of obtaining a better settlement after being involved in a side-impact car accident. The success of your case depends on two things:
- Vetting your attorney for experience, ethics, and reliability
- Strategic preparation regarding your case
Vetting your Ohio side-impact car wreck lawyer consists of asking about their success rate with cases similar to yours, getting a feel for how they conduct themselves, and inquiring about their communication style, billing practices, and thoroughness in case preparation.
To prepare for your case review appointment, write a fact statement that includes your recollection of the collision. This will help your attorney focus on the relevant facts of your case. Include dates and witness information that can support your claim, if possible. Also, bring copies of your medical records and receipts, as this will solidify the goals of your settlement demands.
Contact the Fitch Law Firm LLC to Get Started Right Away
When side-impact collisions occur, they often have lasting physical, emotional, and financial effects on victims and their loved ones. If you suffered injuries or lost someone you loved due to another driver’s negligence in the Dayton, OH, area, the side-impact collision car accident lawyers at the Fitch Law Firm LLC may be able to assist you in moving forward with your case.
You do not have to face the claims process or legal proceedings alone. We are ready to take your call and begin discussing your case. Contact our legal team right away to get started with a free, confidential consultation.