Once you’ve been in an accident, you’ll embark on a lengthy journey toward recovery and getting compensated for the consequences of the crash. Working with a car accident lawyer in Toledo is the best way to speed things up and ensure an optimal outcome.
The legal proceedings start immediately after the accident and they continue until claim resolution. Here’s how the Ohio legal system works and what you’ll need to prepare for during the process.
The Ohio Claim Resolution Process
Car accident injury claims in Toledo involve multiple steps. The most important ones are:
Documenting the Accident
You need to do two very important things immediately after an accident. The first one is to take care of your health and make sure all other passengers are ok.
The second one involves gathering evidence and documenting the accident. To do so, you’ll need to photograph the scene, get insurance information from the other driver, and even get contact information from witnesses.
Filing a Report
In Ohio, you have to file a crash report in a number of situations. You have to do the filing with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within six months of the crash occurring whenever someone gets injured, in the event of serious property damage (exceeding 400 dollars in worth), and in the case of the other driver not having insurance.
Consulting a Car Accident Attorney in Ohio
After seeing a medical professional, gathering evidence, and contacting the authorities, you’ll have to also find the right car accident attorney in Ohio to represent you during the upcoming proceedings. The sooner you get in touch with an experienced legal professional, the easier it will be to build a strong case.
A Claim Investigation
Once you’ve submitted the documentation and evidence, your lawyer will carry out their independent investigation. Depending on the circumstances, they may look into gathering more evidence, talking to experts, and even considering an accident scene reconstruction.
Filing the Claim
A lawyer who is satisfied with the quality and quantity of evidence collected will move on to file the claim that will outline the damages you’ve incurred as a result of the accident. The claim will also highlight the financial burden of the crash (through medical expenses, lost wages, permanent disabilities, etc.).
Settlement Negotiation
Depending on the case’s specifics, it may get settled out of court. Your attorney is going to communicate directly with the insurance company to reach a mutually beneficial settlement. Several rounds of talks may be needed to reach the claim resolution and typically, some compromise will be required on behalf of both parties involved.
Going to Court
In some instances, the terms of the settlement aren’t going to be favorable enough. That’s when you and your Ohio car accident lawyer may decide to proceed to litigation. This is a whole new process that will involve filing a lawsuit, going through the discovery process, and eventually undergoing a trial in court.
Getting Compensated
Going to court is often a lengthy process but it will be essential to receive the compensation needed to help you recover after the accident. At the end of the legal proceedings, you’ll get a court judgment that determines what compensation you’ll be entitled to.
There’s one final step you may have to go through and that’s the appeal. In Ohio, both parties have the right to appeal civil court verdicts. If you are unhappy with the compensation, you and your attorney can decide to appeal the decision within 30 days of receiving it.
A Car Accident Lawyer in Toledo Can Assist You Every Step of the Way
You may be thinking about getting in touch with an insurance company on your own and avoiding the assistance of a legal professional. Accident claims, however, can be very tricky. If you fail to gather and present enough evidence about the damages you sustained, you may get compensation that’s insufficient.
A car accident lawyer in Toledo understands the intricacies of compensation claims, and the biggest challenges. They will come up with a good action plan aimed at maximizing the amount you’ll be entitled to at the end of the legal process.
As experienced Ohio car accident lawyers, we can assist you every step of the way. Contact us at 844-853-7373 for a free case review and our professional guidance.
