Side-impact collisions can cause debilitating, sometimes fatal, injuries. If you or a loved one was hurt in a side-impact collision in Springfield, the lawyers at the Fitch Law Firm, LLC can help you hold the negligent party accountable via a personal injury case. Alternatively, if you lost a loved one after the accident, then you might have grounds to pursue a wrongful death case.
When you call our team, we can help you decide which legal route is most suitable for you.
Let Us Help You Assess All Your Damages
It is imperative for you to prove damages whenever you are filing a claim or lawsuit following a side-impact collision. These losses are usually classified into two categories: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are tangible and have a set value, whereas non-economic damages are more subjective and intangible. Examples of each are below.
Medical Expenses
These damages are the most common form of damages in injury cases. These expenses might involve:
- Hospitalizations
- Ambulance ride
- Physical examinations (e.g., bloodwork, x-rays, and other diagnostic tests)
- Medications
- Doctor’s appointments
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Medical devices
- Surgeries
Economic Damages
Economic damages don’t just stop at the doctor’s office. Damages you may claim also include:
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Property damages
- Household expenses
Damages for Physical and Emotional Hardship
Because they are intangible damages, your lawyer can assess the following non-economic damages and others and price them accordingly:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Disability
- Inconvenience
We mentioned earlier that you can sue for wrongful death if you lost your loved one in a side-impact collision. Damages you can claim might be funeral and burial expenses, their medical care, their pain and suffering, as well as your own loss of financial support and companionship.
For a free legal consultation with a Springfield side-impact collisions lawyer
(614) 545-3930
Our Lawyers Can Help You with Your Springfield Side-Impact Collision Case
Don’t let your injuries keep you from taking legal action. While you recover, our lawyers can serve you by executing the following tasks:
- Keeping you “in the loop” as your case progresses
- Ordering the accident report
- Collecting photographic and video evidence of the accident and your injuries
- Determining and identifying the at-fault and liable parties
- Quantifying your damages
- Managing all communication with the other parties
- Negotiating with the insurance company for a settlement
- Filing all necessary paperwork on time
- Presenting your case in trial, if need be
After reviewing these services, you might be wondering how you will be able to afford a lawyer. Price should not be of concern to you, as our side-impact collision lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. We don’t charge you hourly or upfront. Instead, we will deduct an agreed-upon portion from your settlement for our assistance. If we lose, you don’t pay us.
The Last Thing You Should Worry About Is How You’re Going To Pay For Your Medical Bills.
(614) 545-3930
What You Can Do to Help Your Case
There are certain “do’s and don’ts” of which you should be aware after your car accident, as they could make or break your compensation claim. Examples are:
Seeking Medical Attention as Soon as Possible
Don’t wait to get medical help after your accident for two reasons:
- Even if you feel fine after the accident, it is important to make sure everything is okay. You could have injuries that won’t show up for a few days or weeks, like a traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to Mayo Clinic. A doctor’s visit can also decrease the risk of the condition worsening.
- If the other party’s insurance company sees a large gap between the accident and your first doctor’s visit, they might claim that your injuries weren’t that serious or that something else caused them. In this case, they might deny your case altogether.
Either way, documentation of a doctor’s visit can serve as evidence for your injury case.
Waiting Until the Statute of Limitations Is up
Every state has a filing deadline for injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Under ORC §2305.10, with some exceptions, you have two years to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Similarly, ORC §2125.02 allows surviving family members two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit if they lost their loved one in the crash.
Two years may seem like a long time, but it passes quickly. If you wait too long to file your lawsuit, our team might not have enough time to build your case efficiently.
This delay could ultimately result in your missing the deadline, which means the court can bar you from recovering any of your damages.
Refraining from Posting about the Accident on Social Media
We understand that you want to tell your friends and family about the accident. However, it is best that you avoid posting about it on social media.
The insurance company can see what you’ve posted and possibly use your words against you during the negotiation process. Even if you post about the accident on a private account, they can still find a way to access it.
Speaking to the Insurance Company on Your Own
As we previously mentioned, part of our job is to handle all communication for you. However, that does not mean that the insurance company won’t try to contact you. They might ask you for a recorded statement and, like posting about the accident on social media, they can twist your words, taking what you said out of context.
Whenever they initiate contact with you, refer them to your lawyer right away.
The Attorneys at the Fitch Law Firm LLC Can Help You with Your Side-Impact Collisions Case
At the Fitch Law Firm LLC, our top priority is getting our clients the compensation they deserve. Now it’s time to help you and your family.
We can get started on your side-impact collision case today. Just give our Springfield office a call for a free consultation with one of our team members.