A car accident is an upsetting experience, regardless of how minor they seem. In a crash, you experience pain, property damage, and emotional distress, among others; a traffic collision can impact an individual’s life significantly.
While most people file an injury claim immediately after the accident, because their injuries surface immediately after the accident, some do not even realize they are injured until later on.
Wounds that delay are referred to as delayed onset injuries. For people in this category, they have a limited time frame called the “Statute of limitation.”
How Long After a Car Accident Can You Claim Injury?
As aforementioned, in Ohio, there is a statute of limitation regarding car accidents. The law is the limited time frame you have to file a lawsuit against another individual. Because of this limitation, it is crucial to act fast when reporting your injuries.
Ohio law states that if an individual does not claim injury two years after the car accident, they cannot say that the occurrence was the cause of their wound. This is because the more time that passes after the crash, the more difficult it becomes to prove that your injuries resulted from the accident.
The countdown for you to file a personal injury claim in Ohio starts when you know your injury or after the accident occurs. Once the time limit expires, the victim cannot claim compensation for the accident anymore. Only in very few exceptions can an individual’s claim succeed once the time limit is up.
Waiting until the last minute before making your claim can give the other driver leverage to threaten your request. Most importantly, you will need an Ohio car accident attorney whenever you decide to claim injury.
What to Do After a Car Accident
In filing a personal injury lawsuit after an accident, you have to carry out some steps immediately after the crash carefully. The steps you take after your car accident can determine if the Ohio court will favor your claim or otherwise.
Stay Calm
After a car accident, it is natural for the victim to be upset, agitated, or even scared. But, lawyers, and law enforcement agents advise people to remain calm in such situations. Failure to remain calm could put your claim at risk and stand against you in court.
Get Medical Help
Next, inspect yourself for any external injuries or pains. Proceed to call 911 for medical help afterward. Even if it was a minor car accident, it is essential to get medical help because, as we have said above, some injuries are masked due to the accident’s psychological effects. Also, proving that you got medical help after the accident can help strengthen your claim.
Contact the Police
Calling the police to the accident scene is another crucial step to take after a car accident. The Ohio police are responsible for filing the report, which will later come in handy should you decide to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Gather Information
At the accident scene, gather as much information as you can. The information you get should include names and contact addresses of witnesses and the name, insurance information, and contact of the other driver(s). Also, take pictures of the crash scene and the cars.
Inform Your Insurance Company
You are to bring the car accident to the attention of your insurance company. You should do this within 24 hours of the crash because your insurance company will work hand-in-hand with your attorney to help with your claim.
Don’t Admit Fault
One important rule to note after a car accident is never to admit fault, even if you think you are the at-fault driver. In addition to not admitting guilt, do not give any recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company, which can be used against you.
Ohio Car Accident Lawyers Can Help With Your Car Accident Claim
If you or anyone you know has been hurt in a car accident and you need help in filing your claim, you should contact Ohio Car Accident Lawyers. They will help protect you and your loved ones legally. These car accident attorneys will also tell you whether or not you should receive an insurance company’s settlement offer.
If you are too hurt to file the personal injury claim, our attorneys will file the claim on your behalf and pursue it to its conclusion. Furthermore, we are available to review your case free of charge. Contact us today for efficient legal assistance and to schedule a free consultation.
