Hiring an Attorney Can Make a Difference After a Car Accident in Sylvania, Ohio
Being involved in any car accident is traumatic, but especially so if you were seriously injured and not at fault. If you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident, struggling with lost wages, mounting medical bills, and other damages, you need help to get the compensation you are entitled to. Negotiating a settlement with the insurance company and navigating the legal process of your car accident claim while still recovering from your injuries is overwhelming. If you were in a car accident that was not your fault and you are struggling with serious injuries, you need a Sylvania, Ohio car accident attorney to help you get the compensation you need.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company After a Car Accident
It seems like dealing with the insurance company should be simple when a car accident was not your fault and you have documented property damage and injuries, but that is not usually the case. Insurance companies employ a team of attorneys who are hoping 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. They will often try to pressure you to accept their offer or risk losing a payout entirely. When you are recovering from an injury and facing mounting medical bills, you might be tempted to take whatever you can get. If you want someone who is looking out for you and your best interests, you need your own legal representation.
Damages You Can Claim
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 right now. 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 Sylvania, Ohio car accident attorney can help you. You are also entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, your anticipated long-term medical needs, and any future losses that may result from your accident and injuries.
How Soon Can I Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Sylvania, Ohio?
The sooner you contact a car accident attorney in Sylvania, Ohio, the sooner your attorney can begin negotiating on your behalf. It’s best to contact an attorney right away so they can begin to request and gather the required documentation and evidence needed to build your case and determine the amount of compensation you are due. 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. Your first consultation is free, so there is no harm in meeting with an attorney right away.
Avoid Mistakes to Receive a Fair Settlement
Insurance companies design the settlement process to protect themselves, not the victims, and this means that a car accident victim can unwittingly hurt their own case and cost themselves a fair settlement. Working with an attorney can help you navigate the process, but there are also simple things you can do to sidestep any mistakes. The first tip is not to delay medical attention or attempt to downplay your injuries to try and demonstrate that you are coping. Delaying medical attention can give the insurance company the impression that the accident was not serious and any injuries you claim may not even be related. After seeking medical attention, don’t lose track of any documentation you may need to prove the severity of the accident. Take pictures of your injuries, the damage to your car, and the scene. Finally, remember that the insurance company is not actually on your side. Be careful about what you say, whether it is in person or on social media, and do not apologize for anything related to the accident, as this can be construed as admitting to some fault. Having an attorney means that you will have a guide to navigate you through the process without any unintentional errors.
Using a Local Car Accident Lawyer in Sylvania, Ohio Has Many Benefits
There are numerous benefits to hiring a local car accident lawyer in Sylvania, Ohio. You likely don’t have experience in negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement, but a car accident attorney does. Your attorney will not be emotionally impacted by the case, which will allow them to stay professional and objective during the negotiations. An experienced car accident lawyer understands the process and can move things along more quickly than you can on your own, all while getting you a better settlement.
Affording a Car Accident Lawyer in Sylvania, 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 reach. 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 with the help of a car accident lawyer in Sylvania, Ohio, even after your attorney fees. Most car accident attorneys will 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 our 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 pay more in legal fees than you can recover in your settlement.
How do I Find a Car Accident Lawyer in Sylvania, Ohio?
When you’ve made the decision to hire an attorney to help you through the process, finding the right car accident attorney in Sylvania, Ohio is the next step. The most important qualities your car accident attorney should have are years of experience and an excellent track record in car accident cases like yours. You want an attorney who is extremely familiar with the strategies and tactics used by the insurance companies and has a plan to counter them. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Sylvania, Ohio and you were not at fault, contact Arthur Law Firm right away (419) 782-9881 for a free consultation to discuss your options for recovering a fair settlement.