When to Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Ohio

The aftermath of a car accident is an overwhelming and often emotional situation. Depending on the severity of your injuries and the damage to your car — as well as the other parties involved — you may be wondering whether or not you should hire an attorney. Keep reading to learn more about when to get an attorney for a car accident in Ohio.

If you’re debating whether or not to contact an attorney, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

How Serious Are Your Injuries?

Did you have to take an ambulance to the hospital? Did you have delayed injury symptoms that required a visit to the emergency room or doctor? If you answer “yes” to either of those questions, you probably sustained serious injuries. These injuries can often cause people to miss work and rack up hefty medical bills. In these situations, it’s important to speak with an attorney who can help you navigate seeking compensation for your injuries and lost time at work.

What/Who Caused the Accident?

If the accident was clearly the fault of you or another party, it’s important to speak with an attorney. You can easily determine who was at fault based on who the responding police officer issued a ticket to. Or, perhaps the other party said, “I’m so sorry! This was all my fault!” That’s considered admitting fault, and an attorney can help you file a claim to seek compensation in these cases.

If you were the one who admitted fault or received a ticket, an attorney can help you protect yourself by building a strong case in your defense, mitigating the amount of damages you have to pay.

Even if it’s unclear who or what caused the accident and nobody admitted fault, an attorney is still helpful in investigating the accident and compiling evidence to help support your case and protect you.

If you've been in an accident that caused injury in Ohio, there are several reasons you should hire an attorney, including:

Delayed Symptoms

Often in car accident cases, people can be seriously injured and not even realize it. After an event like a car accident, the body releases a lot of adrenaline, which can make us not pay attention to our injuries. This means that you could be injured, but you may tell the responding officer that you are fine because you don’t notice any symptoms in the aftermath of the accident. When you get home, you may notice your neck is stiff and your head is throbbing. Now what? 

You need an attorney. Some injuries may also take days or even weeks to start showing symptoms. This is why we recommend everyone get checked out after an accident by a medical professional because these delayed injuries can cause insurance companies or opposing counsel to downplay or deny your claims. Your attorney will protect your rights and fight for what you deserve.

A Thorough Investigation

Car accident attorneys are skilled investigators. They are experienced at requesting car accident reports, finding and interviewing witnesses and video evidence, examining the wreckage of the accident, and much more. All of this evidence they gather can then be used to build a strong case in your favor.

Identify Liable Parties

It’s not always the at-fault driver who is the only person that caused an accident. Some accidents are far more complex. Other parties who may be responsible include:

• Auto part manufacturer (if the accident is caused by a vehicle defect)
• The at-fault driver’s employer (if the crash happened while they were on the clock and/or driving a company vehicle)
• The owner of the vehicle (who may be different from the person who was driving at the time of the accident)

A car accident attorney can identify and find all liable parties and hold them responsible.

Claim Value

Anyone who’s been in an accident or has worked with an insurance company on any matter knows that insurance companies are out to protect their bottom line and are looking for any reason to reject claims, even from people who are seriously injured. Qualified attorneys don’t rely on the insurance adjusters and know how to accurately calculate the costs — including all past, current, and long-term costs — associated with the accident.

There are several benefits of hiring an attorney after a car accident in Ohio, including:

Having a Knowledgeable Professional By Your Side

You may be feeling overwhelmed or traumatized after your accident, and the thought of dealing with legal proceedings is too much to handle. This is where an experienced and skillful attorney comes in. All you have to do is sit back and speak with your attorney while they do the heavy-lifting of filing motions, compiling evidence, and pleading your case to advocate for you.

Your attorney will handle all aspects of your case, from calling the insurance company to talking with opposing counsel and other people and parties involved. This frees you up to focus on seeking any medical attention you may need, including physical therapy and getting back to your daily routine.

Negotiate a Settlement

Lawyers are skilled negotiators. Your lawyer will prepare your claim and then work diligently to negotiate a settlement that’s in your favor. They will take several factors into consideration during these negotiations, including all damages sustained in the accident, such as:

• Medical expenses and future medical treatment needs
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Any other income that is lost from the accident’s residual effects
• Property damage

Representation in a Lawsuit

Not all car accidents will escalate to a lawsuit. But if yours does, there is no better protection than having an attorney on your side. During this process, your attorney is responsible for proving your case to a jury. Nothing will provide you with more peace of mind during this process than knowing an experienced attorney is at the helm. This is another reason finding an experienced and skilled attorney to work with is so important.

If you’ve recently been involved in a car accident in Ohio, don’t wait any longer. Contact an attorney today to start seeking the compensation you deserve.