Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Columbus After a Collision
In a moment, a car accident can alter your life. One minute you’re on your way to work, picking up your kids, running errands and the next, you’re facing physical pain, emotional distress, soaring medical costs and a wrecked car. Dealing with the aftermath of a collision can be overwhelming, particularly when someone else’s negligence caused it. Where situations like this arise, it’s not just a good idea to contact experienced car accident lawyers in Columbus — it’s also a critical one. A reputable lawyer can also help you avoid making any mistakes that would complicate the claims process and ultimately prevent you from receiving the damages you deserve to rebuild your life from this trauma.
Top Reason You Need a Car Accident Lawyer After a Collision: Protect Your Rights
After an accident, the fallout can be a lot to process and you may not be fully aware of the legal options you have. Although insurance companies may seem to offer assistance, their true priority is to safeguard their own bottom line. They might pressure you to accept a quick settlement for significantly less than what your case is worth. When you hire car accident lawyers, you have someone who is focused on what’s best for you — not a for-profit insurance company.
Once you hire an attorney, they will love to take your legal stress off your shoulders. They are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies and will gather the evidence required to support your claim, and work hard to demonstrate liability and damages. This may involve examining police reports, gathering witness statements, obtaining medical records, inspecting vehicle damage, and more — for cases where accident reconstruction experts are required, the firm will enlist them. Columbus-based car accident attorneys understand Ohio’s traffic laws and personal injury statutes, and you can be sure they will fight to take the advantage of the legal system in your favor.
Contacting a lawyer immediately is also essential in protecting crucial evidence and avoiding costly mistakes. In the days after a crash, it’s all too easy to say something that can be held against you later — particularly if you’re dealing directly with insurance adjusters. An experienced attorney will tell you what to say, not say, and how not to jeopardize your claim. They’ll also confirm that key deadlines are met. In Ohio, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim, but waiting too long can seriously compromise your case.
The injuries suffered in motor vehicle accidents are not always evident immediately. You might feel fine at the scene but serious symptoms could develop days or even weeks later. Injuries like whiplash, concussions, soft tissue injuries and internal bleeding can be slow to show themselves. Car accident lawyers are familiar with the process of identifying the relevant health care specialists to ensure that your injuries are adequately documented to bolster your legal claim against those responsible for the collision. This is critical for not only determining your present medical bills, but also potential future treatment expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages and the lifetime effect on your quality of life.
Knowledgeable car accident lawyers will also understand how to account for your non-economic damages; pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, etc. These are damages that aren’t easy to calculate, and yet they echo loudly in the big picture of your recovery. Some car accident lawyers in Columbus work to ensure that every detail of your loss is represented, and that you pursue the complete and equitable compensation for your injuries.
If your case goes beyond negotiations, your lawyer will be ready to take your case to court. Though many cases will settle well before going to court, having an attorney at the ready who is prepared and able to litigate sends a message to insurance companies that you mean business — and it can often result in better offers. You will receive professional, determined legal representation from your trial-experienced legal team, who will fight for your rights in front of a judge and jury if this applies.
Helping you recover is why hiring car accident attorneys in Columbus is so important — because we give you the best possible chance at full recovery, not just the filing of a claim. Investigating your case, negotiating with insurance companies, securing evidence, representing you in court, your attorney is your advocate, your protector, your guide through a complicated legal process. If you have experienced a car accident, don’t leave your future to luck. Contact an experienced legal team that will stand up for you throughout this process.
