The screech of tires, the jarring impact, and the rush of fear—it all happened so fast. In the aftermath of the car crash, you were left with more than just physical injuries. You’re dealing with the stress of missed paychecks, medical bills piling up faster than you can track, and the sinking realization that the insurance company isn’t on your side. As you work to recover, both physically and emotionally, the last thing you need is to battle for the compensation you’re owed. It’s exhausting and unfair. An experienced Ottawa Hills, Ohio car accident attorney can help you take back control and move on.
Legal Support for Ottawa Hills, Ohio Car Accident Victims
What an Ottawa Hills Car Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
If the accident was not your fault, you may feel like you don’t need an attorney, but there are numerous benefits to hiring a local car accident lawyer in Ottawa Hills. While the accident report may back up your claim that you were not at fault, you likely don’t have experience in negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement. The insurance company is not on your side, and their goal is to get you to accept the lowest settlement they can get away with as soon as possible. They are counting on the fact that you will be overwhelmed and out of your league when it comes to the legal process. Your attorney will not be emotionally impacted by the case, which will allow them to stay professional and objective during the negotiations, and an experienced car accident lawyer understands the legal process thoroughly and can move things along more quickly than you can on your own.
Damages After a Car Accident
There are two types of damages you can claim after an accident: current damages and future damages. If you’ve been seriously injured, you may only be thinking of the current damages, which are the expenses you are incurring right now. This includes the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle, covering your current medical bills and lost wages, and any other expenses resulting from the accident you are facing today. These expenses are easy to document and calculate, as you’ll have bills and statements readily available, and the insurance company is happy to let you think this is all you are entitled to. Yet you are also entitled to future damages, and this is where your Ottawa Hills, Ohio car crash lawyer is there to help. You are also entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, impact to your future enjoyment of life, and any future loss of earning that can result from the accident. You may not know how to put a monetary value on these damages, but your attorney will.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company is Eye Opening
Dealing with the insurance company should be simple when the accident was not your fault and you have documented property damage and injuries, but that is not usually the case. Insurance companies are businesses, and they’re not really interested in making large settlement offers. They will use a team of attorneys to get you to accept the lowest possible settlement they can offer. The process is designed to be difficult for anyone outside of the legal community to understand, and the insurance company knows that they can prey on your vulnerability to manipulate the situation in their favor. The insurance company will often try to pressure you to accept their offer or risk losing a payout entirely. Their tactics can involve implying you need to accept possible fault, downplaying your injuries, and even suggesting that you are lucky to be getting an offer at all. When you are recovering from an injury and facing mounting medical bills, you might be tempted to take whatever they offer to put an end to your immediate financial stress, but once you sign an agreement, you forfeit your right to claim any additional damages, even if your recovery is long. Remember that if you want someone who is looking out for you, you need your own legal representation.
When to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
The sooner you contact an Ottawa Hills, Ohio car accident lawyer, the better. That way they can begin working on your behalf immediately. Most car accident cases do not go to court, but if necessary, the Statute of Limitations in Ohio gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a suit. That may seem like plenty of time, but if the insurance company drags out your negotiations and you don’t contact an attorney until you are stuck, you could find yourself unable to file.
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.
Affording a Car Accident Lawyer in Ottawa Hills, Ohio
When you are struggling to physically recover after a serious car accident and are faced with lost wages and medical bills piling up, you may think that hiring an attorney is out of your financial reach. You need to stop the financial bleeding, and you may think that hiring an attorney comes with fees – not only paying the attorney fees themselves, but the costs associated with fighting your case. Many victims try to go it alone because they feel they can’t afford an attorney.
Don’t hesitate because you think hiring an attorney is too expensive. A good car accident attorney will work with you to make sure that you get the settlement you deserve, and you will likely end up with a larger settlement more quickly, even after your attorney fees. Most car accident attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning that you will not have any up-front costs and the fees your attorney receives are paid out as a percentage of the final settlement once your case is resolved. The first consultation with the team at Arthur Law Firm is always free, and our Fair and Square Fee Guarantee ensures that your attorney fees will never exceed your net recovery. You can trust the attorneys at Arthur Law Firm to fight for you without the fear that you will end up paying more in legal fees than you can recover in your settlement. When you have your free consultation, your attorney will discuss all the fees and payments with you to avoid any surprises later.
If you’ve been the victim of an accident that was not your fault and are facing serious injuries, don’t wait until your back is against the wall to contact an Ottawa Hills, Ohio car crash lawyer. The team at Arthur Law Firm is dedicated to helping victims in Ottawa Hills get the compensation they need to move forward. Contact us right away (419) 782-9881 for a free consultation today.
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