If you were in a car accident, the at-fault driver is responsible for compensating all injured parties. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may have to turn to your insurance company for coverage. If your insurer determines you caused all or part of the accident, any monetary compensation you otherwise qualify for could be diminished or reduced to nothing.
When you turn to our personal injury law firm for help, we will review the details of the crash and explain your case’s potential timeline. We will also explain who pays for car accident compensation in Ohio, how you can recover damages, and how we would negotiate a financial settlement on your behalf. Our car accident lawyer will collect evidence to prove the at-fault driver owed you a duty of care, did not provide it, and caused your injuries and property damage.
Your Car Accident Attorney Must Prove Liability
In many car accident cases, the liable party is the other driver. However, sometimes, the liable party could be a vehicle parts manufacturer or a maintenance technician. Our experienced attorneys will investigate your case to prove liability.
Your legal team can establish negligence to prove liability. Some examples of negligent actions include:
- Drunk driving
- Refusing to slow down in poor weather conditions
- Speeding
- Driving aggressively
- Following too closely
- Ignoring road conditions
- Running red lights
- Making illegal tuns
Your Auto Accident Lawyer Will Satisfy the Elements of Negligence
We can prove negligence by satisfying the following elements:
- Duty of care: The at-fault party had a duty to keep you and other road users safe. This means following the traffic laws.
- Breach of duty: The liable party breached their duty of care by demonstrating negligence. This could mean driving drunk or speeding.
- Causation: The liable party caused your accident and the injuries you suffered.
- Damages: You suffered damages as a result of the wreck.
Once our personal injury lawyers have proven the other party’s negligence, you can seek compensation from them. If you shared some percent of fault for the collision, we can also explain how seeking compensation works with Ohio’s comparative negligence laws.
How Much Car Accident Compensation Can I Collect?
Car accident damages will vary greatly from one injured person to the next. You and your injured passenger can have vastly different compensation amounts. When our team represents you, we make sure we track your recoverable damages and calculate them accurately. Recoverable economic damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future income loss
- Property damage or diminished value
- Treatment-related travel expenses
- In-home medical and domestic help
You do not have to calculate these damages on your own. We assess them for you and seek to cover the damages you might incur in the future as well. We also ask the at-fault driver to pay you for the non-economic damages that stem from the impact the accident had on your life. These include mental stress, emotional anxiety, pain and suffering, and physical impairment.
How Long Do I Have to Request Compensation After a Car Accident in Ohio?
It can be challenging to think about and plan an injury insurance claim or lawsuit immediately after an accident. Waiting too long, however, can jeopardize your ability to file your lawsuit at all. We comply with Ohio’s statute of limitations to ensure we file your case promptly. Accordingly, the following Ohio statutes of limitations define your potential filing deadline:
- Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10 generally limits the personal injury statute of limitations to two years from the accident date.
- Ohio Revised Code Section 2125.02 generally limits the wrongful death statute of limitations to two years from the date of a fatally injured loved one’s demise.
Our team works hard to make sure your case meets all important deadlines and that you can take your case to court if an appropriate settlement offer is not forthcoming. If you do not file your potential lawsuit on time, the at-fault driver or their insurer will ask to have your case dismissed. If you miss the statute, a dismissal is likely, which will leave you with no way to compel compensation.
Do I Sue the At-Fault Driver or Their Insurance Company?
When you pursue an at-fault driver, they are likely to seek the protection of their insurance company. In Ohio, every registered vehicle owner must carry the following minimum coverage, according to Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) guidelines:
- $25,000 per person for bodily or fatal injuries
- $50,000 per accident for bodily or fatal injuries
- $25,000 per accident for property damage or loss
Our team will assess your recoverable damages, read and review the at-fault party’s insurance policy, and request compensation up to their policy’s maximum coverage. If their policy does not cover your expenses and losses, we help you seek additional coverage from your insurer where possible.
Motor Vehicle Accident Case Results
We believe every car accident victim deserves a champion on their side, so we work hard to fight for compensation for every client we represent. Our recent case results include:
- $1,450,000 for a car accident that fractured our client’s leg and ankle and caused significant income loss.
- $1,000,000 for a truck accident that caused another client’s life-changing TBI.
- $600,000 for a car accident after our client suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured hip.
See more case results, verdicts, and settlements we have achieved for injured clients on our case results page.
Discuss Your Car Accident Case With The Fitch Law Firm LLC Today
Were you or someone you love recently injured in a car accident? If you were, we can guide you through the personal injury legal process. Find out who pays for car accident compensation in Ohio and how we can help you get the compensation you deserve. We will also review your legal options and explain how we protect your rights during the claims or lawsuit process.
Contact one of our personal injury team members at The Fitch Law Firm LLC by calling us today.