Personal Injury Attorney in Archbold, Ohio
We Secure Fair Settlements for Accident Victims
You’ve been in an accident, and it wasn’t your fault. You’re in the hospital, recovering from serious injuries and stressed about the future. While you may have the insurance information from the other party involved, it hasn’t provided the quick resolution you expected.
Instead, you start getting the run-around from the insurance company. They stop taking your calls, try to pressure you into taking a payout that won’t even cover your current expenses, and maybe even start to imply that the accident isn’t their responsibility. It feels like things just keep piling up.
The accident was bad, but for many victims of personal injury cases, the aftermath only adds to their challenges. If you’ve been seriously injured as a result of an accident, you can benefit greatly by talking to an Archbold, Ohio personal injury attorney. They can help you get the compensation you deserve with no up-front costs.
What Does Negligence Mean in a Personal Injury Case?
Whether or not you have a case depends on if the other party was considered negligent. To understand whether or not you can pursue a personal injury case depends on understanding negligence. Accidents happen, and sometimes they happen without anyone being at fault. However, sometimes accidents could have been prevented, either by acting a certain way or failing to act a certain way.
If someone fails to take reasonable care to prevent a foreseeable accident, that can be deemed negligence. For example, a homeowner who fails to contain their dog to their property can be held responsible if the unprovoked dog bites someone. The homeowner failed to act.
Excessive speeding can be deemed as negligence in a car accident. The driver acted in a way that caused the accident.
Whether or not someone acted negligently is measured against how a reasonable person would act in similar circumstances. If a driver is speeding, running a red light, failing to maintain their vehicle, or driving while intoxicated or drowsy, the driver will be considered negligent.
We all have a legal obligation to prevent injuries to others. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else, you are entitled to fair compensation.
How Can an Archbold, Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
Some accidents are true accidents, and some are the fault of others, and for a personal injury case, you need to prove your accident was someone else’s fault. In order to have a personal injury case, you need to prove that the other party owed you a duty of care, they breached that duty, and you were injured as a result of that breach.
Proving negligence can be tricky, even if it seems obvious to you. You will need to obtain evidence to prove each element of negligence. The evidence varies depending on the type of personal injury case you are involved in. A personal injury attorney has the right experience to prove that the other party was negligent. Your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf, help you understand the legal process, and advise you on what to do and what to expect. When you hire an Archbold, Ohio personal injury attorney with experience in cases like yours, you will likely get a faster and much more fair settlement.
What Damages Can I Claim in a Personal Injury Case?
Depending on the nature of your accident, your claim may cover many things. You will need to establish the value of your claim, which is inclusive of all the damages and expenses you’ve incurred as a result of your accident, as well as the negative impact the accident may have had on your life, and any future expenses you can expect.
Medical and Hospital Expenses
When you are calculating these expenses, it’s important to work with an attorney who can help you estimate future expenses as well as what you already incurred immediately following the accident. If you have an injury that has caused long-lasting or permanent damage and will need continuous care, you will need to account for this in your claim.
Property Damage
This can include damage to your car, motorcycle, or bike, as well as any other property that was damaged as a result of the accident.
Current and Future Loss of Earnings
Not only can you claim damages for missed work, but if your earning potential decreases due to your injuries or recovery, you can also claim future earnings loss.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering can be difficult to put a price tag on, but your Archbold, Ohio personal injury attorney can help you get compensation for what you went through as a result of the accident.
Reduced Quality of Life
If you have permanent injuries or limitations and the quality of your life has been impacted, you can get compensation for this loss.
Can You Afford an Archbold, Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you are already feeling financially strapped after an accident, you may worry about the cost of hiring an attorney. Most attorneys who handle personal injury cases will work with you to make sure that cost is not a factor. Working on contingency means that your attorney will only get paid if you win your case or negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. Your attorney will get paid directly from your settlement proceeds, usually a percentage of your total settlement. Our Fair and Square Fee Guarantee, offered by Arthur Law Firm, means that when your case is resolved, your legal fees will never exceed your net recovery. No matter what, your attorney should explain the fee structure to you and put the agreement in writing. In most personal injury cases, you can’t afford not to hire an attorney.
Arthur Law Firm Fair & Square Fee Guarantee
At Arthur Law Firm, we know firsthand that sometimes a settlement can’t cover all the out-of-pocket expenses a person incurs after an accident. Our Fair & Square Fee Guarantee is a commitment to you that our fee will never exceed your net recovery when your case is resolved.
Injury Occurs
During the first step when the injury occurs, emergency services will respond and medical treatment will begin. If possible, witnesses should be questioned and photos obtained.
Follow Through with Medical Treatment
After your injury, follow through with medical treatment, document all symptoms during the healing process, and get referrals to specialists, if necessary.
Property Damage Claim Resolved
In this stage you will contact insurance adjusters about your claim, secure estimates for repair, and secure a rental vehicle. Continue to document the process and costs.
Medical Bills Addressed
Determine whether to process bills through medical insurance, auto insurance, or Medicare/Medicaid. You will be responsible for all accruing medical bills until determined otherwise. If necessary, issue Promise to Pay letters.
Completion of Medical Treatment
You will finish your treatment and recover from your injuries. By taking the time to heal before submitting your claim, you will be able to heal and know what your true injuries and damages are. If you attempt to settle too soon, you may find other injuries arise that you will not be able to seek additional compensation for.
Order Medical Bills and Records
This is the step where you make sure your attorney has access to all your medical records, medical bills, and lost wage information. When you release all this information to your attorney, they can analyze, review, and follow up on all the information, which is necessary to put together a proposed settlement.
Demand Letter for Settlement
Your attorney will put together a demand letter with the total compensation you are seeking. Your attorney will calculate all the damages incurred, including your medical bills, the severity of your injuries, any future care needs, and the amount of missed wages. Pain and suffering can also be calculated into this amount.
Lien Resolution
After your claim is settled, various entities will need to be reimbursed. Subrogation is the legal principle that requires reimbursement for anyone who paid medical bills or other benefits on your behalf. If your health insurance paid for your medical treatment and you receive a settlement that includes medical bills, you will reimburse your insurance company. Your attorney will help you through the subrogation claims.
Settle or File Suit
The process of settling your claim or filing your suit can take several months, depending on your injuries. It’s important to be within the Statute of Limitations (2 years in Ohio), and your attorney can help you negotiate your settlement, or, if necessary, file the suit to collect damages.
Case Resolved
When your settlement is resolved, either through negotiation or a ruling in court, you will receive damages. You will receive an amount, and then distribution will be made to your attorneys and any lien holders.
The Arthur Law Firm Difference
When working through the aftermath of a serious accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need more than just an insurance company’s quick offer—you deserve justice and a fair settlement. At Arthur Law Firm, we’re proud to serve Archbold residents with personalized, local representation to help you move forward after an accident.
Don’t face the challenges of a personal injury claim alone. Contact Arthur Law Firm right away (419) 782-9881 for a free consultation. Let us help you fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
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Arthur Law Firm knows the aftermath of an injury can be hard for you and your loved ones. Fill out the form below to talk with an experienced member of our legal team.