You do not need to have a permanent injury in order to receive compensation after a car accident. You can claim for many types of injuries after an auto collision in Ohio, such as:
- Broken bones
- Back or neck injuries
- Concussion
- Whiplash
- Burns
- Internal injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Why Should I Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident if I don’t Think I’m Injured?
While some injuries are immediately apparent after a car accident, others are not quite so obvious. Symptoms can be mild initially, so you may shrug them off as unrelated to the collision. Further, shock and adrenaline can mask some symptoms, so your injuries may be worse than you think.
Our personal injury law firm recommends prioritizing your health (and your possible personal injury claim) after a collision. We encourage you to seek medical attention immediately to have your injuries properly identified and treated. A medical record can also help us tie your injuries to the crash, which is crucial to helping your compensation claim.
For a free legal consultation, call (614) 538-1116
What Are My Options for Recovering Compensation After a Car Accident in Ohio?
After seeking medical attention and reporting the accident to the police, it is important to consider how you will receive compensation for your injuries (permanent or temporary) after the accident. There are three main options available, which are:
- Filing an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurer
- Filing a claim with your insurance company (if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured)
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver
Depending on your circumstances, it may be necessary to file from multiple sources. For example, if your injuries exceed the other driver’s policy limits and you do not have underinsured coverage, you could file a lawsuit to seek additional compensation.
Our car accident lawyers can identify the most suitable method of recovery for your situation and manage the legal process so that you can focus on healing.
How Do I Calculate the Financial Extent of My Injuries and Other Losses?
You will need to calculate the total financial extent of your injuries to have an amount in mind to compare with settlement offers from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, damages can be challenging to assess if you are unfamiliar with the process, especially with subjective, non-monetary losses, such as emotional distress or pain and suffering.
Economic and non-economic costs relate to the compensation you could receive to cover expenses such as:
- Medical bills, treatment, and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
Our personal injury attorneys can help you understand which losses may apply to your situation.
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Should I Accept an Early Settlement Offer from the Other Driver’s Insurer?
In most situations, accepting an early settlement offer without first discussing it with your lawyer is inadvisable. Remember, the insurance company operates as a for-profit business, so the adjuster will have their best interests as a priority, not yours. For that reason, most initial offers are low.
Instead, learning about your legal options during a free case review before accepting a settlement offer can be beneficial.
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Do I Have to Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company?
No, you only need to report the basic facts about the accident to the insurer, which is different from making a statement. Insurers may try to use what you say in a statement to minimize their financial exposure to your claim.
When you hire a car accident lawyer from our team, they can manage all communications with the insurance company, so you do not feel pressured or worried about answering the insurance adjuster’s questions.
How do I Prove the Other Driver Caused the Accident?
Whether you make an insurance claim or file a personal injury lawsuit, you will need to provide evidence to support your case that demonstrates:
- Fault and liability for the accident
- The accident caused your injuries
- The extent of your injuries and how they affect your home and work life
- Your economic and non-economic damages
The other party contests fault in many car accident claims. As such, the quality of evidence you have that proves the other driver’s fault or mitigates allegations against you can significantly affect the compensation you could recover. Our attorneys can help you gather the evidence required to support your case.
Am I Eligible to Receive Compensation if I Am Partially At-Fault for the Accident?
Yes, you can still pursue damages even if you share fault for the accident, provided you are less than 51% accountable, per Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33.
Where Can I Learn More About My Legal Options?
The legal team at Bressman Law offers a free initial consultation, where you can discuss your legal options and possible next steps. We have been helping injured people with their injury cases for over 30 years and provide our services on a no-win, no-fee basis. We are keen to hear from you, too.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
