Car Accident Attorney in Toledo

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 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.

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.