Car Accident Attorney in Toledo
After an injury car accident, you may have questions about next steps and what your options may be.
Going through a serious car accident is more than an inconvenience. Navigating the legal process and negotiating with insurance adjusters can be overwhelming, especially when you are recovering from injuries. The other party seemed responsive initially, but now you are getting the run-around from their insurance company. They’ve stopped taking your calls, stopped responding to your emails, and your claim is at a stand-still. Medical bills are piling up, you’ve lost wages due to your recovery, and you feel like you’re running out of options to get the resolution you need to move forward. Scheduling a consultation with an experienced car accident attorney is an important first step towards the settlement you deserve.
An Experienced Attorney is Invaluable
You’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you’ve had to take time off of work, and you’re currently without a vehicle while your claim is in limbo. You’re not in a financial position to pay the medical bills and car repairs out of pocket, and pretty soon your credit may take a hit as the debt collection calls start coming.
An experienced accident attorney has been through this before, and they know what you are up against. Your lawyer will guide you through every step of the process, speak on your behalf, and handle negotiations with the insurance adjusters to get you the compensation you are entitled to. Insurance companies will leverage your inexperience and pressure you into taking a lower settlement, but an experienced car accident attorney will know how to proceed for an equitable resolution.
Personal Injury. Personal Attention.®
10 Step Process of a Car Accident Case
1. Injury Occurs
If you’re ever in a car accident, your number one priority is to get medical attention right away. If you are able, try to get some photos and contact information from witnesses.
2. Medical Treatment
Sometimes you can feel like your injuries are not very severe immediately following an accident. Some pain and complications can set in after the fact, and if you don’t seek immediate medical attention after a car accident, insurance companies may later question if the injuries you suffered were, in fact, related to the car accident at all. Get medical care immediately and follow up with any additional care that is suggested by your medical team. Document everything you can during your recovery including medical bills and photos of your injuries.
3. Property Damage Claim Resolve
You may be offered an amount based on the initial investigation from the insurance adjuster. You can choose to accept the offer or negotiate, but it is important not to make any decisions without first discussing the details with your attorney.
4. Medical Bills Addressed
No medical bills will be paid by any other party until your claim is complete. You are responsible for those bills until everything has been resolved. If your insurance company receives the claims and pays them, your attorney will work to get them reimbursed.
5. Completion of Medical Treatment
In some cases where injuries from a car accident are severe, completing all the medical treatment before filing your claim will allow you to see what your true injuries and long term needs are. As long as you are within the statute of limitations to file your claim, it may make sense to wait until treatment is complete before proceeding with your case
6. Order Medical Bills and Records
Grant your car accident attorney access to retrieving your medical records and provide any information you have documenting the amount of your lost wages. You will need these records to make your car accident claim. Your car accident attorney can obtain medical documents if you sign a medical authorization allowing them to do so.
7. Demand Letter for Settlement
The total compensation will be determined by calculating all the types of damages incurred from the car accident. Ideally, this will be after all medical treatment is completed so all damages can be calculated and submitted to the insurance adjuster.
8. Lien Resolution
Lien resolution involves a legal principle called subrogation, which requires someone to be reimbursed if they paid medical bills on your behalf, and then you collect money. Lien resolution will be addressed once the settlement or judgment is obtained.
9. Settle or File Suit
Many car accident settlements are reached without ever needing to file a lawsuit and your attorney and the car insurance adjuster will agree on a settlement. However, if you have not settled when the Statute of Limitations date is approaching, you may need to file a lawsuit to avoid delaying the case any further.
10. Case Resolved
Once your case is resolved, your car accident attorney will make arrangements for you to sign the releases for the claim noting the amount of the final settlement. Your attorney will review the summary with you, including the amount that will go to the attorney and how the remaining settlement money will be disbursed.
Collecting Information and Evidence After A Car Accident
Collecting and tracking all information and evidence throughout your recovery is imperative and can directly affect the outcome of your claim. This includes keeping all of your medical, financial, and personal records organized and available.
- An accident report
- Photos and videos from the scene
- Witness statements
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reimbursable payments you’ve made
How Long Does an Insurance Claim Take?
Auto insurance claims may take longer if your accident is severe, and the insurance adjusters need to determine the value of the settlement based on your injuries. The amount of an insurance claim is based on your medical bills and expenses, lost wages from work or other income, pain and suffering, physical disability, loss of property, and emotional damages. When you speak with an attorney at a our Toledo office, we will be able to give you a rough timeline of what you can expect.
How Long Do I Have in Ohio to Hire a Lawyer?
The time between the accident and the last date you can file a case is called the Statute of Limitations. In Ohio, you have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit to collect compensation from the responsible parties. Because it can take time to work through the process and file a case, it’s smart to contact an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss the deadline for filing. You don’t want to wait on hiring an attorney to find out then it’s too late to start the process. Your attorney will need time to collect and document pertinent evidence and proceed accordingly.
How to Receive a Favorable Accident Settlement
If you want to receive a favorable car accident settlement, you need to avoid certain mistakes that can cost you. Accepting the first offer the insurance company offers you, failing to seek medical treatment, not getting the necessary documentation, admitting a degree of fault in the accident, and making legal decisions without consulting with a lawyer are all ways to sabotage your settlement.
Tips for Receiving a Fair Settlement
- Seek medical treatment right away, and continue with the treatment, even if you feel ok. Car accident victims want to believe they are fine, but avoiding medical attention signals to the insurance company that your accident was not significant.
- Get the documentation you need. If you are able, use your phone to capture the accident scene, damage to your car, and your injuries.
- Be careful about what you say. Many feel tempted to apologize for their role in the accident, even if their role was simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you make any statement that admits any degree of fault, the insurance company will use it against you. Do not admit fault or apologize. You can ask if the other party is ok without apologizing. This also goes for posting on social media. Be very careful what you say.
- Understand that the insurance company has their best interests in mind, not yours. The insurance company is hoping you will accept a fast offer and would rather not negotiate with you or your attorney.
- Consult with a car accident attorney right away and let them handle negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf. They will be your trusted, knowledgeable guide throughout the legal process.
Personal Injury. Personal Attention.®
Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer in Toledo
Fortunately, most people don’t have a lot of experience with serious car accidents. It’s why you need a trusted ally on your side from the start. There are many benefits to hiring a local car accident attorney after a serious car accident, and the experience they bring will greatly improve the outcome of your case.
Professional and Objective
Because your attorney won’t be emotionally involved in your case, they can make objective decisions from a professional perspective.
Skilled in the Art of Negotiation
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers who are experienced at negotiating the lowest settlement they can get away with. You may be pressured by the insurance company to take their offer or risk losing your payout altogether. A car accident lawyer is skilled in the art of negotiation and has the experience to know exactly how to get you a fair settlement.
Effective Decision Making
Making a mistake in a legal situation can cost you significantly. An attorney can guide you through the process and provide you with the best plan of action to avoid common missteps in your case.
Fair Compensation Faster
If you don’t have a lawyer working for you, your case will likely move slowly. This is intentional and fueled by the insurance company’s strategic process, which is designed to be difficult to understand. A car accident lawyer has experience with all the legalities involved in your case and will understand how to navigate the system quickly to get you a fair settlement so you can focus on your family and your recovery.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Most attorneys work on a contingency basis, where the fee is dependent on the outcome. If your case is successful, your car accident attorney will be paid a percentage of the settlement. This is, however, just the attorney fee. The cost of a car accident lawyer in Toledo depends on how quickly your case is resolved and whether or not the case goes to trial, because the actual costs and expenses of taking a car accident case to trial can add up quickly.
However, if you need your attorney to bring a case to trial and properly fight your case, the additional costs beyond the attorney fees are necessary. You need to trust that your car accident attorney is fighting for you and that the costs are necessary to get you a settlement that will allow you to move forward with your life.
Expected Costs and Fees in a Car Accident Case
- Medical record requests
- Expert witnesses (doctors who will testify or write opinion letters)
- Travel
- Court filing fees
- Deposition transcripts
- Appearance fees
- Mediation fees
- Mailing and postage
- Photocopying
Fees V. Costs
To many, the words “fee” and “cost” are the same thing. But in a car accident case, they are different and will be calculated differently.
Fee
The fee is what you will pay your attorney for their work, which will usually be done on a contingency agreement and be paid after your case is settled. A car accident attorney contingency fee will be a percentage of your settlement and will be collected once your case is resolved.
Costs
The costs are any other expenses related to your case. This includes court costs, administrative costs, investigation costs, deposition costs, and more. You, as the claimant, are usually responsible for all the legal costs related to your case.
How to Pay for a Car Accident Lawyer
If you are already dealing with lost wages and mounting medical bills, the cost of hiring an attorney can feel like it’s just too much. However, with a contingency fee arrangement, you will only pay attorney fees if your lawyer is able to resolve your case successfully, whether that is through a settlement with the insurance company or a verdict after a lawsuit.
At the resolution of your case, their fee will come out of the money awarded to you. The fee is generally a fixed percentage of your financial recovery, which will be agreed upon before you hire. When you have your free consultation with a car accident attorney, you will discuss all the fees and payments associated with your case, so there won’t be any surprises throughout the process.
Fair & Square Fee Guarantee®
Arthur Law Firm guarantees that when your case is resolved, our attorney fees will never exceed your net recovery. With our Fair & Square Fee Guarantee, you can trust Arthur Law Firm to protect your rights and recover all damages you are entitled to under the law without the fear of paying more in legal fees than you recover from your settlement. If our Attorney fee exceeds your net recovery, we will reduce our fee.
Choose Arthur Law Firm for Your Toledo Car Accident Lawyer Needs
If you’ve been injured and are facing serious damages and lost wages after a car accident, you need to know your options. The financial stress and sorting through your claim to move forward can make your recovery period overwhelming. You don’t have to go through it alone, and you shouldn’t bear the financial weight of a car accident that wasn’t your fault. You need an advocate who can explain your options and fight for what you’re entitled to. You need results.
At Arthur Law Firm, we understand the trauma you and your loved ones are suffering after a serious car accident. We are strong advocates for your rights to damages and a fair settlement. Your road to recovery starts here. If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, contact our office at (419) 782-9881 to schedule a free consultation
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