If you’ve been to the emergency room, then you may now call the team of a personal injury lawyer to form a plan for pursuing compensation. The cost of visiting the emergency room can be expensive, and it may only be the beginning of the accident-related losses that you experience. USA Today reports that emergency room costs have risen by 176% over the last decade; your costs could be even greater if you took an ambulance from the scene of the accident.
A lawyer will help you determine a legal method of seeking compensation, and can then pursue any awards that you should be entitled to.
Tending to Your Post-Accident Concerns
If you have already been in an accident and you’ve been to the emergency room, then you may still have several steps to take. Your first priority should be your health and wellbeing. You should follow up with your doctor’s recommended course of treatment and keep any documents that pertain to your condition’s progression.
While recuperating from the accident or adapting to a long-term ailment, you may consider how a lawyer can help you secure financial recovery for your incurred expenses.
In the immediate aftermath of your accident, your lawyer can:
- Determine if you have the basis of a personal injury case
- Gather evidence related to your accident
- Advise you on what steps you can take to promote your legal interests
Though receiving medical care for your accident-related injuries is critical, it can also be costly. You may not need to pay for these costs if one or more parties are responsible for your accident, however. Again, if you have already been to the emergency room, you should consider how a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you.
For a free legal consultation, call (614) 538-1116
Your Lawyer May Begin by Establishing Fault
After determining that you have the basis of a personal injury case, your lawyer will establish fault for your accident, and by extension, your injuries.
There are many parties who could be responsible for your car accident, including:
- Another motorist
- An employer, if you were struck by a driver operating a commercial vehicle
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer if some sort of malfunction played a role in your accident
- A municipality that failed to provide safe road conditions
- A mechanic whose work is tied to your accident
The American Bar Association (ABA) explains that there are multiple standards for fault when an accident occurs. They include negligence, strict liability, and fault for intentional acts that cause harm. Your lawyer will gather the facts of your accident to determine all of the parties who share responsibility for your accident-related losses.
A Lawyer Can Handle Your Personal Injury Case
Once your lawyer fully understands how your accident occurred and who is at fault for your losses, they can initiate an insurance claim or lawsuit based on which action is most appropriate. Every accident is different. While some cases may be able to settle through out-of-court negotiations, others require a judge’s ruling to reach a fair resolution.
If you bring an insurance claim, then your lawyer may:
- Gather evidence relevant to your claim
- Collect witness accounts
- File your claim
- Handle all communications with the involved insurance companies
- Advise you on what statements to the insurer could hurt your case
- Negotiate a settlement for you
- Advise you on whether they believe an insurance company’s best offer is fair based on your losses
If you ultimately bring a lawsuit, then your lawyer will also gather evidence and interview witnesses.
They may also:
- File your lawsuit
- Hire experts to testify on your behalf
- Negotiate a pre-trial settlement
- Complete a trial, if no out-of-court settlement arises
Your lawyer will also explain how the state’s statute of limitations will affect your case for compensation. If you are filing a personal injury lawsuit in the state of Ohio, per Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2305.10 you generally have two years from the date of the accident to do so.
Your lawyer’s goal is to bring about a fair resolution to your car accident case. With legal aid, you may be able to recover the cost of your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
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Call Bressman Law Today
At Bressman Law, our goal is to provide warm, supportive legal care for those who have suffered losses in a car accident. We offer our help on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning that you do not pay us our attorney’s fees unless your case is successfully resolved.
Call Bressman Law today at (614) 538-1116 for a free consultation.
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