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Suffering from injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence can be traumatic and life-altering. Personal injuries often come with not just the wounds themselves, but also medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. And, many injury victims understandably don’t have the energy or ability to seek the compensation they need and deserve.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by someone else, working with a top-rated Ohio personal injury lawyer is the best option for getting a fair settlement. Continue reading to learn more about personal injury laws in Ohio and how a personal injury attorney can help your case.
Working with an experienced Ohio personal injury law firm can ensure your case is solid and taken seriously by the insurance company or in court. These attorneys specialize in personal injury law in Ohio and are intricately familiar with how these lawsuits work and what’s required for success.
While you can certainly file a claim or submit a civil suit without legal representation, you will miss out on the advantages of having an expert on your side. Plus, most attorneys specialize in specific personal injury practice areas, such as auto accidents or dog bites. This offers an even higher level of expertise and further increases your chances of obtaining a fair settlement for your losses and damages.
The following are statistics related to various personal injury cases in Ohio:
These are just a few of the many types of personal injuries suffered in Ohio over previous years. Personal injuries can happen in various ways; however, statistics are not readily available for all accident types.
Not every injury case qualifies for a claim or lawsuit. Personal injury attorneys typically only work with cases with strong evidence supporting them and fall within specific categories.
Some common types of cases accepted by Ohio personal injury law firms include:
If you’re unsure whether your case qualifies for representation, consider setting up a free consultation with an experienced attorney in your area to discuss the details of your injury.
Personal injury cases involve various injury types, and no specific injury must be sustained to qualify for a case. In most cases, the kind of accident will largely influence the injury or injuries incurred.
Common injuries seen in Ohio personal injury lawsuits and cases include:
Specific criteria must be met for a case to be eligible for a personal injury lawsuit in Ohio. Understanding these criteria can help you determine whether hiring an attorney to seek compensation is worthwhile.
In most cases, the following criteria must be met for Ohio personal injury lawsuits:
Your attorney can help you decide whether your case is strong enough for a lawsuit and assist in gathering the necessary evidence to support it.
There are generally two options available to personal injury victims in Ohio.
If you’ve suffered injuries due to another party’s negligence and fault and incurred damages as a result, you’ll want to file a personal injury lawsuit. These lawsuits allow you to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
A personal injury lawsuit is initiated when you or your attorney file a formal complaint with the court detailing the injury, accident, and parties involved. However, it’s important to note that 90% of personal injury cases are settled outside of court.
To ensure you meet the statute of limitations in Ohio, you must file a claim or lawsuit within two years of the injury.
If a family member or loved one was killed in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you’ll want to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of lawsuit allows you to seek compensation for damages such as medical bills, funeral expenses, burial costs, and lost future wages.
Several factors play a role in the viability and outcome of Ohio personal injury cases.
Ohio is an at-fault state, which means in the case of motor vehicle accidents, the at-fault party is responsible for covering damages for all victims. So, if you are injured in a collision caused by someone else, in most cases, you will file a personal injury claim with their insurance company.
This is also typically true for other types of accidents, such as slips and falls. For example, suppose you experience an injury after slipping on a wet spot in a store because the owner failed to put up proper signage. In that case, the property owner’s insurance is responsible for your damages.
In nearly all personal injury cases, you must be able to prove that the other party was responsible and negligent.
The severity of the accident in which you sustained injuries often plays a role in the amount and cost of damages and, therefore, the settlement amount.
Additionally, some attorneys will only work with more severe accident cases that are easy to prove. Courts may also throw out very minor accidents with little or no damages.
Similar to accident severity, how serious the injuries incurred in the accident can also impact a case’s outcome and viability. More severe injuries typically result in more extensive damages, meaning a potentially higher settlement.
Both economic and non-economic damages are considered in Ohio personal injury cases. Economic damages are those with a dollar amount, such as lost wages and medical costs. These are easier to prove and often easier to win a settlement for.
Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, can be more challenging to prove in court and may not always result in a fair payout or a settlement at all.
If you’ve been injured in an accident and want to pursue compensation, consider the following steps to obtain legal help in Ohio.
Many personal injury attorneys in Ohio provide complimentary consultations for prospective clients. These consultations allow you to inquire about the attorney’s experience and expertise. You can also ask questions about the qualifications of your case.
Several documents are needed to support and prove your case when filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Some of the most important documents to have on hand include:
The last step is to file a personal claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company or submit a complaint to the court. If you hire an attorney, they will do this on your behalf as well as represent you throughout the remainder of the process.
In short, Ohio personal injury attorneys can usually help you get a higher settlement. These professionals possess in-depth knowledge of Ohio personal injury laws, allowing them to successfully navigate a case and ensure your rights are respected and upheld.
They can also help make sure you have a strong case that would be difficult for a court or insurance company to deny.
When searching for an Ohio personal injury or accident attorney to hire for your case, consider the following qualifications:
You don’t have to search for the perfect Ohio personal injury lawyer on your own. LegalFinders is committed to helping personal injury victims like you connect with the most qualified and fit legal representation based on your unique needs and case.
If you want help finding a top-rated attorney in your area, contact LegalFinders today. We can provide you with a free case consultation to better understand your needs. From there, we will connect you with a reputable and proven personal injury lawyer who can help you get the compensation you need and deserve.
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Published: 9 April 2024
Ohio State Highway Patrol. “Activity Summaries & Complaints.” Retrieved from: https://statepatrol.ohio.gov/dashboards-statistics/statistics/activity-summaries-and-complaints/activity-summaries-and-complaints.
The Yale Ledger. “The Basics of Personal Injury.” Retrieved from: https://campuspress.yale.edu/ledger/the-basics-of-personal-injury/.
WRNJ. Data reveals New Jersey as state with third highest rate of personal injury cases nationwide.” Retrieved from: https://wrnjradio.com/data-reveals-new-jersey-as-state-with-third-highest-rate-of-personal-injury-cases-nationwide/.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Midwest Information Office.” Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/news-release/workplaceinjuriesandillnesses_ohio.htm.