Auto Accident Injury in Columbus, OH

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Columbus? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Columbus, OH that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Columbus, Ohio

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. In 2017, the total number of crashes in Columbus was 24,399. A total of 17,968 of those resulted in property damage only. There were 6,375 crashes that resulted in injury, while 56 led to fatalities.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

If you are in an auto accident in Columbus and need to file a report, you can access the crash report online. Note, however, that you can only submit the report to the Columbus, Ohio Division of Police if the accident occurred within the city limits. If it occurred elsewhere, you must file it with the police or sheriff department within that jurisdiction. While there is no legal requirement to complete and file a report, your insurance company may require you to do so. It is also important if you are in an accident involving an uninsured motorist.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

  • Full name, address, phone number and email address
  • Driver’s license state and number
  • Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

  • Burn injuries
  • Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
  • Brain and head injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries

Car accidents are costly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths from car crashes resulted in a loss of $1.67 billion in lost wages in 2018. Medical bills from the same year totaled $17 million. Compared to other states within the region, Ohio ranks near the top in costs for accident fatalities at a total of $1.69 billion. As the only state ranking higher, Illinoisans lost $1.7 billion from car crashes in 2018.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Ohio

Liability Laws for Columbus

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

It is illegal to operate a vehicle in Ohio without auto insurance. The state’s minimum coverage requirement for liability is $25,000 for the death or injury of one person and twice that amount for two or more people. The minimum level of coverage for property damage is $25,000. Ohio is not a state with no-fault insurance provisions, so insurance claims are filed with the at-fault party’s insurance provider. Furthermore, the state’s comparative negligence law stipulates that if an individual is deemed 51% or more at fault, they are not allowed to collect damages.

Statute of Limitations in Columbus

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. In Ohio, the statute of limitations for filing an insurance claim for a car crash is two years, with very few allowable exceptions.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Columbus, OH

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Ohio!

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