You have options for financial recovery if you have been injured in a motorcycle crash in the greater Columbus area. You may be able to recover money by filing an insurance claim against the negligent driver.
You likely have many questions about how to file a claim and what you must prove in order to secure compensation. You’ll find a brief outline of some of the most crucial information below.
How We Can Help You After Your Motorcycle Accident
Your lawyer will take on all the tasks your case requires. These tasks can include hunting down evidence that supports your claim, assigning a value to your losses, and negotiating with the insurance companies.
We will also file your paperwork on time, help you stay within the statute of limitations, and prove fault in your case. You will have support throughout the progression of your case, and you will not have to wonder about what to do at each step.
Your legal team will update you whenever something happens, so you are not left out of the loop. Our team will do all we can to help you and your family.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accidents lawyer serving Columbus, call (614) 538-1116
Types of Compensation You Could Recover in Your Case
Depending on how your accident affected you, you could collect compensation that covers the following losses:
- Pain and suffering
- The loss of a limb
- Disfigurement
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Motorcycle repairs
Columbus Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer Near Me (614) 538-1116
What You Must Have in Order to File a Negligence Claim
To recover compensation for your losses, we must prove that your accident was the result of negligence. This involves proving:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care. This “duty” is shared among all drivers who use Columbus’s public roadways.
- The defendant violated their duty of care by acting negligently.
- The accident was the cause of your injuries.
- You suffered damages, such as medical bills, injuries, lost wages, and more.
We Can Use Evidence to Prove Negligence
We will need to use evidence to show that you were hurt due to negligence. Supporting evidence in your case could include:
- Photos of the accident scene
- The police report
- Your medical bills
- Witness statements
- Proof of your lost income
- Traffic camera footage
You will lose the right to seek compensation if you fail to act within Ohio’s statute of limitations. Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2305.10 generally gives you two years from the date of your collision to file a lawsuit.
To adhere to this timeframe, we encourage you to consider your options immediately.
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How Your own Actions Impact Your Settlement
Ohio observes a law of modified comparative negligence. This means your actions will impact the value of your potential settlement. You can be partially at fault for the accident and still recover damages.
However, your compensation will be reduced in accordance with the percentage of fault assigned to you. If you are more than 50 percent at fault, you lose your right to recover damages.
As such, the defense or insurance company likely will attempt to blame you. They may claim you violated one of Ohio’s motorcycle laws by driving carelessly, such as splitting the lane or riding without a helmet.
Even if you aren’t required to wear a helmet, not wearing one may increase your comparative fault for the accident and injuries if you suffer a head or neck injury. Such a choice would reduce how much compensation you could recover.
A lawyer from our firm can present evidence that accurately reflects your role in the accident. Your focus will be on proving the other driver holds all—or a majority—of fault.
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How Ohio’s Auto Insurance Requirements Impact Your Claim
Ohio is a “fault” state. You will likely be able to resolve your case by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. However, if they do not have insurance or fled the accident scene, you could file a claim with your own insurance provider.
Ohio’s minimum insurance requirements under ORC §4509.51 are:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
You can pursue the above-outlined compensation—or more depending on your damages—from the at-fault driver in your accident. A lawsuit may be necessary to pursue full financial recovery. We can look over your policy to see what your coverage options are.
We Can Determine the Cause of Your Crash
Per the Ohio State Highway Patrol, in 2019, there were 160 motorcycle accident fatalities. Negligent behaviors claim the lives of hundreds of motorcyclists nationwide.
We may find that one or more of the following factors caused your motorcycle accident in Columbus, OH:
- Texting while driving (or another form of distracted driving)
- Poor roadway maintenance
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- An improper lane change
- Failure to obey traffic signals
Once we determine the cause of your accident, we can begin legal proceedings against the at-fault party.
We Have Won Millions for Injured People and Their Families
On Google Reviews, our clients describe us as warm, supportive, and helpful. We believe that our previous successes speak for themselves.
Some of our successful outcomes include:
- In 2020, we recovered $850,000 for an injured motorcyclist who needed multiple surgeries.
- Before we took this one case to trial, we were able to win $227,000 for a motorcycle accident claimant.
We have experience both at the negotiating table and in the courtroom. We are ready to use our experience to recover fair compensation for your losses.
Call Bressman Law if You Have More Questions
You may contact our offices to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about your rights. Call today to get started. Feel free to ask us about what you can expect from your motorcycle accident lawyer in Columbus.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
