You have to start the legal process by the two-year mark to qualify for compensation for your:
There is no law mandating that you must hire an attorney when seeking compensation after a car accident. Some victims of car accidents choose to seek legal counsel and representation so that they can focus on their health and recovery while also pursuing legal action.
Insurance company attorneys and claims adjusters begin working on claims right away after an accident. In accidents where their insured may have been liable, they may try to shift that liability onto the other driver to minimize their own financial exposure.
Keep in mind that some car accident injuries may only display symptoms days or even weeks after an accident. For example, whiplash may take several days to manifest, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
It is in your best interest to contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a car accident.
When you are trying to decide which attorney to hire to help you with your car accident legal issues, you need to look for a personal injury law firm with a history and proven track record of fighting for car accident victims.
Settlements vary depending on how severe the damages are and upon the case built for your claim. An insurance company may offer you a quick settlement amount based upon data and formulas which allow them to determine how much they are willing to give you.
After you hire an attorney to pursue your claim you may be eligible for some or all of the following:
The length of an automobile accident lawsuit varies depending on a number of factors but in general it may take anywhere from a few months to 1 or 2 years. Determining factors include, but are not limited to, whether or not fault has been admitted or determined, the insurance carriers involved, putting together the case, and determining the cost of past, present, and future medical treatments and income loss.
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis meaning they do not get paid until or unless you are compensated for your claims. When you are preparing to hire a car accident lawyer, they will discuss their contingency fee agreement with you and outline how much they will charge if your case is successful.
A minor car crash may not be so minor as it first appears. Sometimes it may take days for an injury due to the accident to present itself. After a wreck you should still file your claim with insurance, but be mindful not to say anything which could impact your compensation in the event that further damages, such as injury, appear.
If you are injured in a car accident in Ohio, you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit to collect compensation. There are a few exceptions to this rule, including:
In the midst of your challenges, the good news is that you can file a personal injury claim and you may be able to recover compensation for your damages.
Most people give no thought to hiring a personal injury attorney until they need one. At that point, however, they are unsure of where to turn to or what to look for in legal counsel. Here are some tips when it comes time to hire an attorney:
You’ve been offered a low-ball settlement by the other driver’s insurance carrier.
Negotiate with insurance carriers . Most lawsuits arising from car accidents settle out of court. Typically, the insurance company for the party with legal liability pays money to the injured party in exchange for the injured party giving up a legal claim. Just because lawsuits normally settle, however, does not mean that it is easy to achieve the largest settlement available. Only a skilled lawyer with years of experience interacting with insurance adjusters can navigate the give-and-take of a settlement negotiation to a client’s maximum advantage. Non-lawyers who attempt to negotiate their own claims with insurance companies virtually always end up getting steamrolled.
According to the lawsuit, the 30-year-old woman was thrown from her car after the other driver caused the accident by crashing into it.
Insurance company attorneys and claims adjusters begin working on claims right away after an accident. In accidents where their insured may have been liable, they may try to shift that liability onto the other driver to minimize their own financial exposure.
According to PennDOT, one out of every 164 Pennsylvania residents sustained injuries in a car accident in 2018. This equals about nine car accident injuries every hour resulting from the 352 crashes that occur each day of the year (on average).
The woman suffered severe injuries in the crash, including broken ribs, a punctured lung, deep lacerations on her head and body, a broken nose, internal damage to her liver and kidney, a serious leg wound, and road rash. According to PennDOT, one out of every 164 Pennsylvania residents sustained injuries in a car accident in 2018.
If you are wondering, “why should I hire an attorney after a car accident,” the answer is simple – they have legal experience and knowledge you do not possess. Their legal background in managing car accident cases will be beneficial to you in every way. This is especially true if you have been seriously injured.
When you hire an attorney to represent your car accident claim, your attorney will provide you with the following services:
If you are wondering when to hire a lawyer after a car accident, the answer is as soon as possible. However, there is a limitation on the time you have to file a lawsuit for compensation.
Serious injuries can change your life. You may need to have extensive medical care to treat the injury, and you may not be able to return to work. The losses that you experience are not your fault, and the responsible party should be held accountable.