Cars are ubiquitous in modern life but are also one of the most dangerous forms of transportation. A car accident can alter your life in an instant, causing grievous injuries, permanent disability, and emotional trauma. After an accident, you might feel like there is nowhere to go and no one to turn to for assistance.
If a negligent driver has injured you, Oliver Law Office wants to help. Your injuries were the fault of another person, and you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our attorneys can analyze your case and file a claim to recover your losses. We cannot make it so the accident didn’t happen, but we can fight for the funds you need to rebuild and move forward with your life. Contact our car accident attorneys serving Marion today to see what we can do for you.
According to official data, the Ohio State Patrol investigates over 16,000 injury-causing crashes in Ohio each year, a significant portion of which cause serious life-threatening injuries. Car accidents cause roughly 500 fatalities per year, and there are over 40,000 crashes annually that cause only property damage. Overall, Ohio has a car accident fatality rate of 10.8 per 100,000 people, which is on the lower end of the scale compared to many other states.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the economic cost of car accidents in Ohio surpasses $10 billion annually, most of which relates to medical costs and reduced quality of life from injuries. Based on data from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, nearly 50 percent of all car crashes in Ohio involve alcohol, and one in four serious injury crashes involve speeding.
Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Marion and the Columbus area include:
Failure to yield the right-of-way
Distracted driving
Improperly changing lanes
Following too closely
Ignoring road signs and traffic signals
Aggressive driving behaviors
Poor road conditions
Bad weather
Inherently dangerous road design
In most car accident cases, the party liable for injuries is the party whose negligence caused the accident and injuries. Insurance companies and courts look at several types of evidence to determine whether negligence was a factor in the accident, such as police reports, photo and video recordings, police reports, eyewitness accounts, and expert testimony. Our experienced car accident attorneys at Oliver Law Office know how to approach these cases to minimize your fault and recover the maximum compensation.
When you are in a car accident in Ohio, you will usually file a claim for compensation with the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. Ohio requires every driver to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage to pay for injuries and property damage from accidents, such as:
Lost income
Medical bills and continuing medical expenses
Reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Loss of consortium
Mental anguish
Property damage
The first thing the insurance company will do when you open a claim is investigate the accident. They will ask for documentation of your injuries and a record of your expenses. Insurance companies are notorious for using tactics to minimize how much in claims they pay out, so your attorney should perform a separate investigation to note any disputes.
After investigating, the insurance company will offer a settlement. Generally, you shouldn’t accept the first settlement offer you get, as your attorney will likely be able to negotiate a higher payout. If the at-fault party’s liability policy does not provide enough coverage, we can file a lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver to pursue the full amount of your losses.
In Ohio, the deadline for filing an auto accident claim is usually two years from the date of the injury, though the deadline can differ in some cases. If your injuries were not initially detectable, the timer starts counting from the date you discovered your condition, not the date of the accident.
If two years elapse, you will no longer be eligible to file a claim for compensation. Two years seems like a long time, but it can pass quickly, especially in the chaotic aftermath of a serious car accident injury. An attorney can jumpstart the claims process so you can recover your compensation with as few delays as possible.
The outcomes of car accident claims are extremely sensitive to the facts of the case. If you have not built a strong case, insurance companies and courts might reduce or outright deny your claims. In many cases, claims are dismissed because the injured party did not provide enough evidence of their injuries or they missed some filing deadline.
Attorneys understand the intricacies of tort law liability, so they can analyze your case to find the strongest angle of approach. They can ensure you meet all filing requirements and that there are no unexpected delays when pursuing your claim. Your choice of attorney can mean the difference between recovering full compensation and recovering no compensation.
Specific tasks a car accident attorney performs might include:
Investigating the accident scene for evidence and clues
Gathering eyewitness testimony and police accident reports
Obtaining medical documentation of your injuries
Calculating a total figure for financial compensation
Recovering vehicle data, such as GPS records or maintenance logs
Working with experts to recreate the scene of the accident
Sending demand letter to responsible parties
Meeting claim filing deadlines
Negotiating insurance company settlements
Filing a formal lawsuit against liable entities
An injury from a car accident can shake the foundations of your life, creating a heavy financial and emotional burden. Our attorneys at Oliver Law Office believe you shouldn’t have to bear those consequences alone. We can help you pursue the parties responsible for your car accident so you can find healing and respite.
For over 20 years, we have stood firm as an advocate for the rights of the injured in Marion. Our clients are more than just a number to us – they are human beings who deserve to have someone hear their side of the story and fight for them. Our compassionate and empathetic approach allows us to understand our clients and always put their interests first. Contact our Dublin office online or by phone to schedule an in-home or virtual case consultation.
To visit our office at 7240 Muirfield Dr, Ste 120, Dublin, OH 43017:
From the North:
Start on I-270 West.
Take the OH-161/US-33 Exit toward Marysville.
Exit at Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn right onto Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn left on Muirfield Drive.
Your destination will be on the left.
From the South:
Start on I-270 North.
Take the OH-161/US-33 Exit toward Marysville.
Exit at Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn right onto Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn left on Muirfield Drive.
Your destination will be on the left.
From the East:
Start on I-270 West.
Take the OH-161/US-33 Exit toward Marysville.
Exit at Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn right onto Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn left on Muirfield Drive.
Your destination will be on the left.
From the West:
Start on I-270 East.
Take the OH-161/US-33 Exit toward Marysville.
Exit at Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn right onto Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn left on Muirfield Drive.
Your destination will be on the left.
