Hearing on the news that someone got hurt in a wrong-way car accident is not unusual in Columbus, OH. Such accidents are frequent on US-33, SR-104, I-71, and other roads, and they often lead to lost lives, serious injuries, and huge property damages.
Many of their victims need months of treatment and rehabilitation to recover, and some do not even realize that they have the right to seek compensation for their injuries and property damages from the party at fault for their accident or the latter’s insurer.
The easiest way to obtain a rightful compensation is to work with an experienced wrong-way car accident lawyer in Columbus. The sooner they take over the case, the easier it will be for them to prove how the accident occurred, who was at fault for it, and to claim a fair compensation on behalf of their client.
Claiming Compensation after a Wrong-Way Car Accident in Columbus, OH
As after any car accident, in order to obtain compensation after a wrong-way car accident, the victim or their attorney will have to identify the party at fault. They also have to show how the accident occurred, that the defendant of their claim was at fault for it, and that the claimant incurred losses and expenses severe enough to justify the claimed compensation.
Columbus wrong-way traffic collisions usually follow one of these three scenarios:
- The driver at fault used the wrong freeway entrance ramp
- The driver turned to a one-way street in the wrong direction
- The driver lost control of their vehicle or took a wrong exit and ended up on the wrong side of the road or highway
No matter how the accident occurred, an experienced wrong-way car accident lawyer will have no problem proving that the driver at fault disregarded traffic signs and disobeyed traffic rules. If the respective driver missed the traffic signs and they did not realize they were driving the wrong way, they may have been intoxicated with drugs or alcohol, drowsy, or distracted. To prove their condition and liability, the lawyer may use photos and videos from the accident scene, blood test results, the accident report, witness testimonies, and even news reports.
Once the driver’s liability established, the next step in preparing the wrong-way traffic accident claim is to document the damages, injuries, and expenses the victim incurred. For this purpose, an experienced Columbus wrong-way car accident lawyer will use auto repair shop quotes and invoices, medical letters and reports, medical exam results, hospital bills, receipts for medical procedures and drugs, home care invoices, further treatment cost estimates, and more.
Depending on how serious the injuries their client incurred were, they may use employment records and income statements to prove their client’s lost income and, if necessary, lost earning capacity. Wrong-way car accident compensations can cover any or all of the following expenses:
- Car repairs or replacement, if the car is damaged beyond repair
- Repair or replacement of any other assets or goods damaged in the accident
- The cost of the physical and psychological rehabilitation of the victim
- The cost of home care and disability adjustments (personal assistant, wheelchair, home adjustments, etc.)
- Lost income and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
In order for the claim to be successful and lead to the desired compensation, it is very important that its filing take place within two years from the date of the wrong-way traffic accident. This is the deadline the Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10 stipulates for legal actions referring to bodily injuries.
However, the sooner the victim of a wrong-way accident traffic collision gets in touch with a lawyer, the higher their chances of obtaining a consistent compensation are. The attorney can help them gather all the necessary evidence and supporting documents, take over all the formalities, negotiate with the insurance company of the driver at fault, and obtain a fair settlement.
If the settlement offer they receive is not satisfactory and does not come close to the requested compensation amount, the same lawyer can file an appeal and even defend their client’s interest in court. In other words, by working with the right attorney, the victim of a wrong-way traffic collision can save time, money, effort, and gain peace of mind and a consistent compensation.
Have You Contacted a Columbus Wrong-Way Car Accident Lawyer?
If you have not yet contacted a Columbus wrong way car accident lawyer to seek compensation for the damages and injuries you sustained, now would be a good time to do it. You will find a knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated lawyer at Ohio Car Accident Lawyers. Call or use the online form to schedule a FREE Case Review Now!
