Serious car accidents result in life-threatening injuries to the involved parties. The cars involved may be totaled or require extensive repairs, while injured parties may require intensive medical treatment or have permanent disabilities.
Some examples of injuries that could occur in a serious car accident include:
- Dismemberment
- Disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Head, neck, and brain injuries
- Paralysis
Some serious collisions can even result in death. Additionally, financial losses may be significant, and insurance costs could increase as well.
You are Required to Report Serious Car Accidents to the Authorities
Per the Ohio Department of Public Safety, you are required to report any collision that results in:
- Injuries
- Death
- Property damage exceeding $500
This report will contain crucial information regarding the crash, including the time, date, location, and names of those involved. You have six months to report an incident, although it’s wise to make a report even sooner.
For a free legal consultation, call (614) 538-1116
Compensable Losses in a Serious Car Accident
After being injured in a serious car accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your losses resulting from the crash. Compensation generally consists of both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages have pre-determined monetary values, while non-economic damages do not.
Some examples of economic damages include:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Funeral expenses, like burial and cremation
Some examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disability
You may be able to recover the cost of these damages through an insurance settlement or court award. You do not need a lawyer to help you recover compensation. However, working with one could serve your legal interests.
How our Law Firm Can Help You
After suffering injuries in a serious car accident, you may be contacted by the liable insurance company. While these agencies may act as though they are on your side, at the end of the day, they are for-profit companies. Sometimes, their goal is to pay claimants as little money as possible. This is how a lot of insurance companies protect their bottom lines.
Yet, when you work with a personal injury lawyer, they can negotiate with the insurer for a fair settlement or represent you in court, if necessary. If you are interested in filing a lawsuit, according to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2305.10, you generally have two years to bring your case before a judge.
Services Our Law Firm Provides
Our legal team can build your case by:
- Investigating the accident
- Gathering evidence to support your case, such as traffic surveillance footage
- Examining the police report and your medical records
- Interviewing witnesses and first responders
- Consulting with third-party field experts to learn more about your injuries and the accident
- Estimating the cost of your incurred damages
- Serving as your legal advocate
Your lawyer may be able to recover compensation by providing additional services than those included above.
We can Prove Negligence Following a Serious Car Accident in Ohio
To win your case, your legal team will need to provide evidence that shows how another party was negligent and is, therefore, responsible for your financial losses.
Your lawyer must prove the following four elements:
- Duty of care. The liable party had a duty of care to promote the safety and well-being of others.
- Breach of duty of care. The liable party breached this duty by failing to act in a reasonable and responsible manner.
- This breach resulted in a serious car accident that harmed you.
- You suffered injuries and damages as a result of the accident.
Even if you contributed to the collision, you still may be entitled to compensation. If you were less than 51% responsible for the accident, then under ORC §2315.33, your damages will be adjusted to account for your role in the collision.
Our firm can determine the facts of your situation and explain how they apply to your case.
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What Should You do After a Serious Car Accident?
Your case’s success depends on the measures taken in its aftermath. Here are some things to keep in mind after getting hurt:
Seek Medical Attention
Internal injuries, like brain trauma, spinal cord damage, and internal bleeding, are not immediately noticeable after a collision. By seeking medical attention, you can learn more about your treatment options and prognosis. Keep track of your lab test results, imaging scans, and doctors’ appointments, as this information could verify your testimony.
Save All Communications
You should keep track of all communications between yourself, the involved insurance companies, and the other party’s legal team. This includes all emails and text messages. While the Ohio Bar says that you can record phone conversations, this comes with certain limitations.
Consider Your Legal Options
If you or a loved one was injured in a serious collision, consider how our personal injury team can assist you. Our goal is to provide warm and supportive legal care as you pursue compensation for your injury-related expenses.
Additionally, our team works on a contingency-fee-basis. You do not need to worry about the cost of legal representation when you partner with us. We only get paid at the successful conclusion of your case. Otherwise, you do not owe us our attorney’s fees.
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Connect with Bressman Law Following a Serious Car Accident
A serious car accident can impact your life in almost every way. Right now, you could be missing time from work or face limitations to your physical abilities.
We encourage you to act quickly. When you call today, you will enter into a free, no-obligation consultation regarding your options for financial recovery. To get started, call today to our car accident lawyer.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
