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Being in an auto accident is challenging. Whether you are a driver or a passenger, there’s always going to be a time when you have to deal with bad drivers on the road. This can happen to almost anyone and for those dealing with a car accident in Ohio, it’s important to understand what the local regulations are like. While the process can become difficult as you navigate through the legal system, it’s essential to remain focused and receive professional advice from a certified car accident lawyer in Dayton.

Young, Reverman, & Mazzei is a qualified law firm with attorneys ready to assist you. Our firm has been helping clients since 1972 and recognizes what’s required to ensure your case is fought properly. We are more than happy to offer a detailed consultation free of cost to discuss the accident and what legal steps you can take. Our team is passionate when it comes to helping accident victims receive what they deserve. Our goal is to ensure we take up the legal responsibilities associated with your case while allowing you to recover from the accident. Call 513-721-1200 or fill out a contact form to learn how we can help your accident claim.

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What Happens After You Are Injured in an Auto Accident?

Even if you are the best driver in Dayton, Ohio, it’s still possible to get into a car accident. Once the accident takes place, there are several moving parts involved in the process and this also comes along with a sudden change in your state of mind due to the trauma. When a situation such as this arises, it’s essential to prepare and understand what comes next. By making the right decisions, it becomes easier to set up a proper case and receive fair compensation for what you’ve gone through.

Receive Treatment

It’s best to start with the basics by staying relaxed and reaching out to a medical professional as soon as possible. Sometimes, a person may get into an auto accident and assume they’re okay. This isn’t always true because adrenaline kicks in and keeps the pain away for a bit. This is why it’s best to call 911 and make sure you receive appropriate treatment if necessary. You don’t want those injuries to linger and/or go undiagnosed for too long. If you seek medical attention, you will also receive official statements, which can be used in the court of law.

Collect Key Information From Everyone

Anyone involved in the auto accident including witnesses should be spoken to right away. The goal should be to seek out details such as names, insurance information, and other relevant details. You want to have all of this information in hand as soon as possible. It’s essential when it’s time to piece things together. Remember, you can also collect this information from the on-site police officer if someone refuses to give it to you.

Collect Evidence

It’s important to collect evidence of what’s taken place to make sure there are visuals in hand. This includes taking photos and/or videos of the accident, potential injuries, and any other type of damage caused by the involved parties.

Preserve Your Receipts

In general, there are going to be receipts of everything after the accident takes place including potential medical treatment. You want to have information regarding all of these events (i.e. ambulance, medical services) written on official documents. This makes it easier to verify what you went through when it is time to put in a claim. For medical situations, it’s always nice to have information relating to your actual condition at the time of the accident as well.

Speak with Your Insurance Company

It’s always smart to reach out to your insurance company to let them know about the auto accident. You don’t have to reach out to anyone else’s insurance agency as that is their responsibility. You will have to remember this information may be used against you later on. You have to make sure to avoid admitting fault when it comes to a situation such as this. It’s the only way to ensure you don’t end up on the wrong end of things. You have to put in the claim and move forward from there. If you are going to reach out to your insurance company, please take the time to sit down with a legal professional beforehand. Read more about what to avoid saying to insurance companies after an accident here.

A man calling a lawyer after a car accident in Dayton.

Speak with a Qualified Car Accident Lawyer

It’s important to ensure you learn more about the legal options available to you after an auto accident. This can be done by going with a top-tier car accident attorney in the city of Dayton. They will help shed light on what’s required, what to look out for, and what is going to happen moving forward. This is key information and can be a great way to receive compensation. Allowing things to drag on will only weaken your case and it’s important to get legal representation as soon as you can.

When you have an attorney on hand, they can make sure all of these details are taken care of including potential settlement offers that are made. You will want someone who has seen it all and will know what to do when it comes to receiving fair compensation.

What are Some of the Damages You Can Collect For in an Ohio Car Accident Case?

The first thing people think about as they put together a legal case is the type of damages they can claim. You are going to have to understand what the situation entails before moving forward. This can include medical bills, missed workdays, and other related expenses based on your injuries. You can also file for damages associated with your mental well-being due to the stress that comes with a situation such as this. You will have the ability to receive compensation for current and future expenses.

Here are some of the damages you can put in a claim for:

Lost wages, loss of earning potential, and loss of promotion

Medical bills such as ambulance fees, prescriptions, surgical procedures, hospitalization, follow-up appointments, medical devices, and/or other treatment options

These are just some of the options available when it comes time to claim damages. A legal professional can pinpoint what can be done based on the evidence. This is why a qualified lawyer from Young, Reverman, & Mazzei is the way to go. Our personal injury attorneys will go through the damages and pinpoint what needs to be done before filing a lawsuit. Settlement offers take time and it’s important to consult with your attorney on this matter.

Understanding Liability Laws in Ohio

Ohio has a clear-cut law when it comes to negligence. It’s termed as the comparative negligence law, which means victims receive compensation for the accident even if they are partially at fault. This is an improvement upon previous laws where the injured person couldn’t claim for compensation if they were deemed to be at fault.

A car speeding towards a stop sign.

With this particular type of law, the idea is based on proportionate compensation after the fault has been determined. This means let’s assume you were responsible for 25% of the accident and are seeking damages up to $100,000. This means you would only get 25% of that amount ($25,000). However, if you are more than 51% responsible then you are the guilty party and receive no compensation.

This is why focusing on the other driver’s fault is essential when it comes time to reduce your liability. You want to make sure you get the most of your desired amount and this is only possible with the help of a qualified car accident lawyer in Ohio. The goal is to build a proper case, find relevant evidence, and make sure everything is done professionally.

What if the Other Party is Uninsured?

Let’s assume you have gotten into an auto accident and the other party doesn’t have auto insurance. What happens in a situation such as this if there are damages involved? Based on state regulations for liabilities, the motorist will have to carry a minimum amount of insurance to cover these costs.

If you are in a position where there is no insurance then it’s time to sue the driver. This may not lead to the compensation you want but it’s an essential step in the right direction. You should also take the time to look into your insurance policy to learn more about this particular situation. Each insurance policy is unique as to what it offers when a situation such as this arises. If you have a no-fault policy in place, then you are going to be protected.

When Should You Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Ohio?

In general, you are going to want to hire a car accident attorney right away and move forward with the case. However, you should have one within two years or the statute of limitations will kick in. This means you can’t put in a claim for damages.

You are going to want to have everything mapped out within two years and acting sooner is always better. This is why speaking to a car accident lawyer is essential and it’s important to understand what evidence is available right now. You want to acquire all of the evidence and make sure the case is well-structured for proper results. This includes speaking to witnesses and building a proper case.

Insurance companies will also need time to understand what’s going on as that’s essential over the long-term. You want to bring a qualified car accident lawyer on-board to see what can be done on your end of things.

Who Will Repair Your Vehicle After an Auto Accident?

This is always based on you. The owner of the vehicle determines who is going to repair their vehicle and the bill is paid by the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

Remember, determine who is at fault isn’t reliant on the police report as that is just one variable. You are also going to want to look at other details such as the evidence and what the investigations offer. You will want to have a professional legal team pour through this information including the police report, witness statements, and photos/videos.

What are the Legal Expenses for Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer in Ohio?

A car accident lawyer is going to have a fee associated with their work on your case. In most situations, the lawyer is going to set up a contingency fee. This type of fee is built on the idea of paying when the compensation is received rather than making an upfront payment. The fees can vary depending on the case and there’s no limit.

The car accident lawyer will set a percentage of the fee and receive this amount as soon as the settlement goes through. Remember, a legal professional has years of experience and will often lead to higher compensation than what you would have otherwise received. This can help cover up your legal and/or administrative fees.

A car accident lawyer in Dayton reviewing evidence for a claim.

With Young, Reverman & Mazzei, we take the time to battle hard and only receive payment when we win. Even our consultations are free of cost ensuring you get fair legal representation every step of the way.

What are the Advantages of Going with a Qualified Personal Injury Lawyer for Auto Accident Cases

A car accident lawyer has professional expertise and understands what’s needed to help you with your compensation. This includes how to handle settlement proceedings and ensuring the right steps are taken during the process. This expertise is essential in understanding what works and what doesn’t.

Consult with a Qualified Dayton Car Accident Lawyer Free of Cost

Young, Reverman, & Mazzei is happy to set up a free consultation to help understand what’s going on and what needs to happen. We have a professional team with a passion for helping clients in receiving full compensation after an auto accident. Schedule a free consultation here to meet with us and know you are going to receive access to the best legal team in Ohio.