Car Accident Lawyer Near Me
No one plans a car accident or expects one to occur, but the fact of the matter is that there were more than 287,000 crashes in Ohio in 2012, according the Ohio Department of Public Safety. That includes 12,308 crashes in Cleveland.
It’s important to take preemptive measures to prepare for your and your loved ones well-being, should you ever be involved in car accident, and to know the proper steps to in the aftermath of a collision.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Cleveland, call (614) 538-1116
What Your Car Accident Claim Must Establish
You must establish that another driver – or another party, depending on the circumstances – acted negligently and that this negligence caused your accident. You also must have suffered damages as a result of the accident.
Proper evidence is therefore important. The accident scene is a good opportunity to get the other driver’s contact information as well as that of any witnesses. It can be a good opportunity to take photos of the vehicles. Your attorney can go over other evidence to establish negligence and causation.
Once you leave the accident scene, keep any medical records or evidence of lost wages. These can establish the extent of your damages. Also keep any photographs of injuries and other documentation of your damages.
Cleveland Car Accidents Lawyer Near Me (614) 538-1116
What to Do (and Not to Do) After an Accident
After an accident, get medical attention right away. Even if you don’t think you suffered any serious harm, it’s important to be evaluated shortly afterwards by a doctor, whether you visit the emergency room or a primary care doctor. You might think you are just sore, but your injuries could be more serious.
Should you wait a couple of weeks or months down the road to be checked or receive treatment, the insurance company may refute that the injury was the direct result of the crash. It’s better to have a valid medical assessment after the collision, documenting any soreness or minor ailments, in case they require future treatments.
You’ll likely be quite stressed about the accident. However, you do not want to apologize or admit fault to the other driver or anyone else for that matter. If you need to file a claim against the other driver, any comments you’ve made that might be construed as admissions of fault can be used against you. Only share the facts of the incident with the police officer.
You also do not have to agree to speak to the other party’s insurance company beyond reporting the accident and providing basic information. You are not required to give them a statement without having first spoken with an attorney. Avoid providing a recorded statement because the insurer might try to:
- pin the blame for the accident on you;
- get you to say that were not injured; or
- get you to comment on or downplay your injuries when you don’t yet know the full extent of them.
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The Importance of Speaking with a Reputable Attorney in Cleveland
It’s a good idea to speak with an attorney if you were involved in a car accident in Cleveland. A local attorney familiar with personal injury cases can examine your case, help you establish fault through evidence and pursue fair damages for your accident.
If you are in need of an injury attorney after a car accident in Cleveland, call our firm, Bressman Law. We invite you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation at (614) 538-1116 so we can determine how we may be of assistance to you. Visit our Dublin car accident page for more information on our services in this location.
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