Columbus Car Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries in a car accident in Columbus, Ohio, you are not alone. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 3 million people were injured in motor vehicle accidents in the United States in one recent year. Additionally, according to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, 2,285 people were seriously injured in a recent five-year period in Columbus car accidents, and 260 died.

If you’re struggling after a car accident, help is available. A Columbus car accident lawyer can seek fair compensation through a personal injury claim. Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, is a law firm that fights for regular people who have suffered severe injuries due to the negligence of others. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, contact us today for a free case evaluation to discuss your situation and learn more about your legal options.

Why Choose Our Columbus Car Accident Attorneys?

Why should you choose our Columbus car accident attorneys? Here are a few reasons:

• We simplify the process for you. We will meet you for free wherever it’s convenient for you, and we will take all the stress of handling your car accident claim off your hands.
• We work quickly. Once you hire our experienced car accident lawyers to represent you, we will conduct an immediate, complete investigation of your car accident.
• We always tell it like it is. When you ask us a question, you can count on us for a complete and honest answer.
• We are always available. Whether you contact us by phone, text, or email, you will never have any problem reaching us.

As one of our testimonials says:

“I am very pleased with the way Amourgis & Associates treated me. They are very respectful attorneys and I am very happy with their representation.”

What to Do After a Car Accident in Columbus

After a car accident, you’re likely to feel disoriented, and you may not know what to do next. You’ve just survived a terrifying experience, and you probably just want to get home to your family, but failing to take some critical steps right now can impact your ability to pursue compensation. That’s why it’s a good idea to plan ahead of time. After an auto accident in Columbus, you should:

• Pull your car off the road if possible.
• Call 911 and report the accident to the police.
• Take photos or video of your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, and the crash area.
• Exchange information with the other driver and any witnesses to the accident.
• Seek medical attention immediately, even if you think your injuries are minor.
• If the insurance company calls, tell them your lawyer will contact them soon. Don’t speculate about the cause of the accident or say anything in detail about your injuries.
• Contact a car accident law firm in Columbus, Ohio, as soon as possible.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Columbus, OH

The most common causes of car accidents in Columbus, OH, include:

• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Driving under the influence
• Failure to yield the right of way when necessary
• Changing lanes unsafely
• Dangerous road conditions, such as fog or ice

Dangerous road conditions can cause accidents even when no one does anything reckless or negligent. Speeding or changing lanes without signaling becomes even more dangerous when road conditions are bad. Driver error is a factor in many accidents. According to the NHTSA, 45 percent of all fatal accidents involve drunk driving, speeding, or failure to wear a seatbelt. When people drive without consideration for the safety or well-being of others, life-changing injuries are often the result. Filing a personal injury claim can hold the person who injured you accountable for their negligence.

Common Car Accident Injuries & Their Impact

Common car crash injuries include:

• Soft tissue injuries, including sprains or strains. Soft tissue injuries cause swelling, pain, and loss of range of motion.
• Broken bones and fractures to the legs, arms, ribs, or skull.
• Whiplash, a neck injury that occurs when the head is whipped back and forth by an impact. Whiplash causes headaches, stiffness, and neck pain.
• Spinal cord injuries, sometimes resulting in paralysis.
• Internal bleeding or damage to the internal organs.
• Traumatic brain injuries. TBIs can cause dizziness, memory problems, or unconsciousness.
• Burn injuries. Not every accident results in a fire, but in some cases, the vehicle catches fire before the accident victim can escape.

Car accident injuries have extensive impacts on the lives of accident victims, some of them short-term and some long-term. Impacts can include:

• Chronic pain and other medical problems
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Compensation Available for Car Accident Victims

In Columbus, Ohio, a car accident victim can seek compensation for:

• Medical bills and expenses of all kinds, including emergency room bills, doctor bills, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing care, and any future medical care for your accident injuries
• Lost income, including wages you couldn’t earn because you were recovering from your injuries, commissions you couldn’t earn, promotions or raises you couldn’t go for, and loss of long-term earning potential
• Pain and suffering caused by your injuries, as well as emotional distress or other psychological harm you may have suffered

Compensation for medical expenses and lost income are economic damages, while compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress are noneconomic damages. Ohio caps noneconomic damages at $250,000 or three times the total value of economic damages, whichever is greater, except in catastrophic injury cases.

In many accident cases, the total amount you can collect is limited to the other driver’s insurance coverage. Ohio requires all drivers to carry a minimum personal injury coverage of $25,000 for one person or $50,000 for more than one. You can also carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage for any losses beyond the other driver’s insurance coverage.

Ohio Car Accident Laws & Statute of Limitations

According to the Ohio Department of Insurance, Ohio’s comparative negligence law governs compensation for car accidents. When there’s a car accident in Ohio, the court will determine what percentage of fault each driver has for the accident. The driver with less than 50 percent of the fault can collect damages minus their percentage of fault. For example, if you were 10 percent responsible for the accident, the court would reduce your compensation by 10 percent.

Under the Ohio Statute of Limitations, you have two years to file a personal injury case. If you try to file a lawsuit more than two years after the accident, the court will dismiss the case. It may seem like two years is plenty of time, but it can pass quickly. Your lawyer will need time to investigate the case and negotiate with the insurance carrier, so contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Car Accidents in Columbus

Frequently asked questions about car accidents in Columbus include:

How much is my Columbus car accident case worth?

That depends on the details of your accident. Every accident is different, so you should ask your Columbus car accident lawyer to help determine what your case is worth. Your lawyer will talk to you about what happened, investigate the accident, review your medical history, and consult with experts before deciding the likely value of your settlement.

What if the other driver is uninsured?

If the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, you can file a claim with your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. According to the Ohio Department of Insurance, UM coverage serves the same purpose as the liability coverage the other driver was supposed to carry but didn’t. UIM coverage covers any losses you may have that the other driver’s insurance does not cover. The amount of UM/UIM coverage you can carry is limited to the amount of liability coverage you carry. If you carry only the minimum liability coverage, you can only have the same amount of UM/UIM coverage.

What happens if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Under Ohio’s comparative negligence law, the court will reduce your compensation based on your percentage of responsibility for the accident. When your lawyer negotiates with the insurance company, your percentage of fault will also be a major factor in determining your settlement. That’s one reason it’s so important to have a skilled car accident lawyer on your side. You need someone with the experience to prove the other driver’s liability and convince the insurance company that they have no choice but to pay full compensation.

Contact a Columbus Car Accident Attorney Today

A car accident attorney in Columbus, Ohio, can help you assemble a strong case and negotiate for maximum compensation from the insurance company. Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, is a skilled personal injury attorney with extensive car accident experience. When you hire us to represent you in your personal injury case, we will:

• Recover all available evidence from your car accident scene
• Consult with medical, financial, and engineering experts to prove the other driver’s liability and document the full extent of your injuries
• Negotiate with the insurance carrier for full compensation
• Take your case to trial if the insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Columbus, Ohio, contact Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, for your free consultation today.