Car Accident FAQs
At Braden Blumenstiel Legal Advocates Group, we get questions all the time about auto accidents, liability, and lawsuits. Our personal injury attorneys who handle auto accidents provide answers to some of the most common questions we receive. To get more specific information about your auto accident, you can contact us at 614-508-1677 or 1-888-343-9796 to schedule a Free Consultation.
What Types of Auto Accidents Are There?
The types of auto accidents are the same pretty much anywhere, and they include single car accidents or collisions between other vehicles, people, property, or animals.
- Single auto accident
- Multi-car accident
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Hit and run accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Public transit accidents
- Wildlife-vehicle collisions
- Car accidents involving pets
- Car accidents involving children
How Do I Get Compensation for an Auto Accident in Ohio?
One of the main things that accident victims have to worry about is being fairly compensated for their injuries. There are two main ways that this can happen, and each has its respective pros and cons.
Settlement As a Resolution
In an auto accident, resolving a case in a settlement means accepting the amount of money that an insurance company offers. One of the main benefits of handling a case this way is that it will typically end a case much quicker than going through the court system. In addition, a client and their attorney have a good deal of power during this process–they can negotiate until they get the amount they want and reject any settlement that isn't acceptable.
Going to Court
If a victim doesn't receive a fair settlement offer, they may need to file a lawsuit to get their compensation. Lawsuits may result in a higher payout, but they typically take much longer, and there is no guarantee that a court will side with you or provide the amount of compensation you believe to be fair.
After a Car Collision in Ohio, Who Do I Sue?
There are many parties who might be liable for your injuries, and ultimately it will depend on the facts of your specific case. An experienced lawyer will be able to help determine who the best person or people are to seek compensation from.
If the other driver was driving under the influence or failing to obey the rules of the road, they could potentially be held liable. If a business owned the vehicle which caused your injuries, you could seek compensation from that company. Additionally, a car manufacturer could be held liable if their car malfunctioned, and in some cases, a government entity could even be held liable if the conditions on the road are what causes a crash.
Should I Release Medical Records to Another Driver's Insurance Adjuster?
Generally, it is important to remember that the other insurance adjuster involved in the case wants to pay you as little as possible. While they may ultimately need to see your records, they only need to see specific records pertaining to your accident. If records are not necessary, but the insurance company receives them, they could use any health information against you. An attorney can help edit this request to ensure that only records needed are released.
Further, it is always important to have an attorney with you, even when you speak to your own insurance company. This is especially true when you need to file a first-party claim with your own insurance. Under such circumstances, your insurance company will likely want a statement from you about how the accident occurred. When giving such a statement, you want to give only the facts, and you want to avoid saying anything that could hurt your claim.
How Much Money Can I Get from an Auto Accident Claim?
This is a very popular question -- everyone wants to know how much they could get from their auto accident claim in Ohio. Unfortunately, one easy answer to this question does not exist. Any settlement or jury award will be based on the unique facts and circumstances of your case. Settlements can range anywhere from hundreds of dollars to millions of dollars or more. It also depends on the attorney you hire. Some are more inclined to settle as quickly as possible while others are willing to fight at all costs to ensure you receive maximum compensation.
If I Don't Feel Hurt after an Auto Accident, Do I Have to See a Doctor?
Certain injuries might not present symptoms immediately after an accident, and getting to a medical professional can catch those injuries. In addition, an opposing attorney or insurance adjuster might try to argue that a delay in seeking medical treatment means your injuries were not actually from the accident. Going to the doctor after an accident can cut against these kinds of arguments.
What Should I Do after an Auto Accident?
First and foremost, you should contact the police (to ensure a traffic crash report is made) and seek medical attention. Depending on the extent of your injuries and your ability to move and communicate, you also want to:
- Exchange information with the other parties to the accident, which includes names, insurance company name and phone number, driver's license, personal phone numbers.
- Gather evidence, like pictures and video of the scene, the surrounding location, the vehicles, property damage, injuries (if any).
- Get the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses as well as a brief written or recorded statement (if possible...you can likely use your phone to record) if you are able to do so because their recollection will be best on the scene and preservation of it will be best if recorded either in writing or by video.
- Consult with an attorney so that you can obtain a better understanding of whether you have a compensable claim and how to go about pursuing what you are legally owed.
What Should I Not Do After an Auto Accident?
In juxtaposition to what you should do if in a car collision, here is what you should not do.
- You should never leave the scene of an accident before emergency personnel arrive and investigate. If you leave a scene, especially when someone is injured, it is a hit and run...a criminal offense. You must stay with your vehicle and contact emergency personnel if someone is injured.
- You should not leave your vehicle where it can pose a risk to others. If you can, move the vehicle to a safe location after an accident. If you cannot move it on your own, contact someone who can.
- You should not ignore calling the police. Even when no one is injured, you should still contact the police. They will investigate and write a report that can later be used to help identify liability.
- Do not forget to exchange information. Try not to let fear or anxiety get the best of you. You really need to obtain contact and insurance information from the other party involved in the collision. Insurance will be critical to recovery of compensation.
- Do not underestimate your injuries. Some injuries are delayed (like whiplash) while other injuries may not seem serious (like bruising as there may be internal bleeding). You should get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible after the accident.
- Do not admit fault. Even if you think or know you are at fault, do not admit it. The other party may have contributed in some way, too. In comparative negligence states such as Ohio, you can still recover in most situations if both parties contributed to the accident.
- Do not contact or give a statement or documents to the other party's insurance company without the assistance of an attorney. You must speak to your own insurance company, but you are not obligated to do the same with any other insurance company. To do so could jeopardize your case, as the other party's insurance company will seek to uncover information which they can use to limit your compensation. Either your attorney or your own insurance company can communicate with the other party's auto insurer.
How Much Does an Auto Accident Attorney in Ohio Cost?
Here's another question everyone wants to know...how much they will have to pay for an attorney? Many people are reluctant hire an attorney because they are already financially stressed and hiring an attorney without the assurances of winning is scary. We only handle auto accident cases on a contingency basis. That means you won't owe us anything unless we obtain compensation for you.
Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer in Ohio Today
If you've been in an auto accident and are seeking compensation, contact Braden Blumenstiel Legal Advocates Group today for a Free Consultation. We can answer your questions, put together a strong case, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call us at 614-508-1677 or 1-888-343-9796 today to learn how we can help you obtain compensation for the injuries and damages you sustained.
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