You were seriously injured in an accident that was not your fault. You have the insurance information from the one who caused the accident, but you still haven’t managed to get a fair settlement offer. Maybe the insurance company is dodging your calls, maybe they’ve made a lowball offer, or maybe they’re trying to argue that you don’t have a claim at all. Meanwhile, you are recovering from an injury, facing lost wages, dealing with mounting medical bills, and are getting more frustrated and overwhelmed about how to move forward with your life. For the best outcome, you need a personal injury attorney to help you get the compensation you are entitled to.
Personal Injury Attorney in Ottawa Hills, Ohio
When an Accident Happens, Lean on Us
Protecting Victims and Seeking Justice
Personal injury law is designed to protect victims who have been injured or harmed because of someone else. This harm can be the result of an act (such as a driver speeding and causing an accident) or a failure to act (such as a dog owner neglecting to secure their dog and allowing it to bite a victim). A personal injury claim looks to get compensation for the victim from the one who caused the harm.
Types of Ottawa Hills Personal Injury Accidents
Personal injury lawyers in Ottawa Hills, Ohio can help residents with many types of personal injury accidents. This includes:
Personal injury lawyers fight for the victim who was not at fault and has been seriously injured following a car accident.
Personal injury after an accident with a semi-truck is complicated by commercial insurance agencies representing the trucking company. Regulations are strict, and personal injury attorneys are needed to deal with the complexity.
Victims of motorcycle accidents often face severe injuries and long recoveries.
Bicyclists who are injured by car traffic will often get the runaround from the insurance company and need an attorney on their side.
Pedestrian accidents, where a pedestrian is hit by a car, can be devastating to the victim. Having a strong attorney can help pedestrians get the settlement they need to recover.
Dog bite victims face psychological challenges as well as physical recovery. Dog bite liability can be complicated, so it’s extremely helpful to have an attorney on your side.
What to Expect When Filing a Personal Injury Claim
Many of the accidents listed above are caused by negligence. The legal theory of negligence identifies actions and omissions by individuals that may injure others. For example, in Ohio, an injury-causing motor vehicle accident may be the result of a driver who was speeding, which, based on the circumstances, can be considered a negligent act.
When determining if a party was negligent in causing another person’s injuries, a court will determine if the negligent individual acted reasonably. If a person responds to a situation the way a reasonable person would, it may be found that they also acted reasonably. However, if the individual acts unreasonably, they may be liable for the harm they cause to others.
Many actions and behaviors may be deemed negligent regarding motor vehicle accidents. A driver who operates too fast for weather conditions, such as not driving cautiously on icy or wet roads, may be found to have acted unreasonable and therefore responsible for the accident they caused. Similarly, drivers who read emails or send text messages as they drive down the road may be found negligent for their unreasonable distracted driving choices.
A personal injury case built on negligence requires an injured party to show that the responsible party acted unreasonably, but also that their actions were the cause of the harmed party’s losses.
Personal injury claims based on negligence and other theories of law can be complicated and may require extensive elements of proof to persuade courts of their validity. The help of an experienced personal injury attorney can be an essential part of the success of your claim.
The Cost of Personal Injury
If you’ve never been in an accident before, you likely will not know the process of settling a personal injury claim. You may even think it’s a simple, straightforward process, where if you are injured due to another responsible party, you will receive a fair settlement. In reality, the process can be far more frustrating and has a financial impact that compounds your physical injuries.
You will likely have medical bills piling up. These have the potential to destroy your credit if they go to collections because the insurance company won’t process the payments due to an unresolved case. You will likely miss work due to your injuries, and the loss of your salary can put you on even shakier financial ground. You don’t deserve financial stress on top of injury recovery when the accident wasn’t even your fault. Personal injury lawyers in the Ottawa Hills area are here to make sure that you get the compensation you are due.
The Process of a Personal Injury Case
A severe accident can change your life in an instant. No matter what kind of accident or injury, there is a general ten step process to our personal injury cases.
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.
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.
Hiring an Experienced Ottawa Hills, Ohio Personal Injury Attorney
Ottawa Hills area residents need a personal injury attorney with experience to represent their side in what can be a complicated legal process. Experienced personal injury attorneys are professional, objective, well versed in personal injury law, and will help you understand all your options after an accident that has left you injured. You need a trusted advocate who can manage all the legal conversations and negotiations on your behalf. Arthur Law Firm fights hard for the victims in personal injury cases in the Ottawa Hills area. Our attorneys are known for excellent attention to detail, have a reputation for fighting for our clients, and will make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
In the Ottawa Hills area, Arthur Law Firm is ready to fight for you. Our Fair and Square Fee Guarantee assures you that when your case is resolved, the attorney fees will never exceed your net recovery. You can trust Arthur Law Firm to protect your rights and recover all damages you are entitled to under the law. If you’ve been seriously injured in Ottawa Hills, Ohio from an accident that wasn’t your fault, you’re entitled to compensation. We can help you get a fair settlement. Contact Arthur Law Firm right away for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
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