Car crashes can happen anywhere, at any time. The unpredictable nature of these incidents, coupled with their preventability in many cases, makes them one of the most devastating experiences anyone can endure. Unfortunately, car accidents often result in painful and potentially life-changing injuries. It is during these difficult times that you need reliable and proficient legal representation from a Columbus car accident lawyer.
At Plevin and Gallucci, our Columbus car accident lawyers are here to support you through the aftermath of your accident. With a strong focus on advocacy and a commitment to your well-being, we strive to secure the compensation and care you need to focus on recovery. You can rely on us to handle your case with the thoroughness and dedication it deserves. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call 1-855-4-PLEVIN.
Why Hire Us for Your Columbus Car Accident Claim?
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a car accident in Columbus, selecting the right legal representation can make a significant difference. Here’s why Plevin & Gallucci should be your top choice:
- Focused Case Strategy: Right from the start, we take a close look at your case to determine the best approach. Our goal is to set up your claim for success by making sure we understand every detail. This way, we can best advocate for your interests.
- Expert Resources: We don’t just rely on the usual resources. We actively seek out and work with leading medical experts, accident reconstructionists, and consultants who specialize in areas relevant to car accidents. This helps ensure that your claim is stronger and that your medical and recovery needs are fully understood.
- Strong Courtroom Advocacy: We’re known for our strong advocacy and commitment to protecting your rights. Our experienced car accident attorneys know how to present a strong case and stand up for you in court.
- Trusted Reputation: Courts throughout Ohio recognize our experienced lawyers for their preparation, dedication, and ability to deliver results. This reputation helps when we represent you, as it adds weight to your case.
At Plevin & Gallucci, we understand the stresses involved and work diligently to make the legal process as clear and effective as possible. Choose us to stand by your side and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Car Crashes Rarely Happen by ‘Accident’
It’s important to recognize that what we often call “car accidents” are more accurately described as “car crashes.” These incidents occur not by chance but as a direct consequence of someone’s actions. Whether due to distraction, reckless driving, or a lack of attention, these crashes are preventable and often stem from irresponsible behavior behind the wheel.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Columbus
Every year, hundreds of motor vehicle accidents take place across Ohio, some of them fatal. (There were 118 fatal collisions in Franklin County alone in 2023.) Below is an overview of the most common causes of car accidents in the state, most of them preventable.
- Distracted Driving: This is one of the leading causes of car accidents in Columbus as well as nationwide. Activities that divert the driver’s attention from the road — such as texting, using a smartphone, eating, or adjusting the radio — constitute reckless driving and can lead to severe accidents.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s reaction times, reflexes, and decision-making skills, increasing the risk of a drunk driving accident.
- Speeding: Driving above the speed limit or too fast for conditions is a common cause of accidents. It reduces a driver’s ability to move safely around obstacles or curves in the roadway and extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle.
- Failure to Yield the Right of Way: Accidents often occur when drivers fail to obey yield signs, especially at intersections. This practice leads to collisions with other vehicles that have the right of way.
- Weather Conditions: Columbus experiences a variety of weather conditions that can affect driving safety. Rain, snow, and ice are frequent in the area and can make roads slippery, reduce visibility, and increase the likelihood of accidents.
- Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, uneven roads, and unmarked construction zones can also lead to car accidents. It’s crucial for drivers to remain cautious and adjust their driving according to road conditions.
It is important to note that motor vehicle accidents don’t just involve cars. They also include:
- Truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
All of these incidents can lead to physical injuries like broken bones, internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries as well as mental and emotional trauma. Accident victims should speak to a personal injury lawyer to determine the right way to file an insurance claim for their financial losses.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Columbus
Experiencing a car accident can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps immediately after the incident can help protect your health and strengthen your position in any subsequent personal injury claim.
- Ensure Safety: First and foremost, assess the situation for safety. If possible, move vehicles out of the traffic to a safe location. Turn on hazard lights to alert other drivers.
- Check for Injuries: Check yourself and others for injuries. Do not move anyone who is seriously injured unless it is absolutely necessary to avoid further harm.
- Call Emergency Services: Dial 911. Reporting the accident to the police is crucial; they will document the scene and create an official accident report, which is vital for insurance and legal processes. If there are any injuries, ensure that medical help is on the way.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you think your injuries are minor, it is important to see a doctor. Injuries like whiplash might not be immediately apparent. Medical records will also serve as important documentation of your physical condition after the accident.
- Take Photos and Videos: Document the accident scene with your smartphone. Take pictures from different angles of all vehicles involved, any visible damages, and road conditions. Also, capture street signs or other landmarks to identify the location.
- Gather Information: Exchange information with the other driver, including names, contact details, insurance information, and vehicle details (make, model, and license plate number). If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information as well.
- Obtain a Copy of the Police Report: The responding officer will provide you with a report number. Use this to obtain an official accident report from the police department, as it will be crucial for your insurance claim and any legal proceedings.
- Get Legal Advice From a Columbus Car Accident Lawyer: Consult with a personal injury attorney who can review your case, assign a value to it, and pursue maximum compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
How Can a Columbus Car Accident Attorney Help?
Hiring an experienced attorney can make a big difference in the outcome of your personal injury lawsuit. Once you retain legal counsel, they will support your case by:
- Identifying Responsible Parties: One of the first steps your auto accident lawyer will take is to determine who is at fault for the accident. This may involve one or more parties, and identifying them accurately is crucial for directing your claims appropriately.
- Gathering Evidence: Your auto accident attorney will handle the retrieval of essential documents and evidence, which may include the police crash report, video footage from traffic cameras or dashcams, and witness statements. This evidence is vital for supporting your claim.
- Reviewing Insurance Policies: An experienced attorney will review all relevant insurance policies involved in your case to determine the maximum amount of compensation you might be eligible for.
- Managing Communications: Dealing with insurance companies can be daunting and complex. An experienced car accident lawyer will take on the task of contacting the at-fault party’s insurance company and managing all subsequent communications. This ensures that your interests are protected and that you do not say anything that could potentially harm your claim.
- Negotiating Insurance Settlements: A significant part of your lawyer’s role is to negotiate with insurance adjusters. They will discuss settlement terms on your behalf, striving to get you a fair compensation package that covers your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses.
- Guiding Legal Decisions: Your attorney will advise you on the strategic legal decisions throughout your case, including whether it’s advisable to settle or proceed to trial. If negotiations with the insurance company stall or if they fail to offer a fair settlement, your attorney is prepared to escalate the matter.
- Filing Lawsuits and Litigation: Should it become necessary, your car accident attorney can prepare and file a lawsuit to pursue maximum compensation through court. They will represent you throughout the legal proceedings, advocating on your behalf and presenting your case in court to secure the best possible outcome.
Compensation in a Car Accident Claim
Understanding the types of compensation available can help you recognize the full scope of your potential recovery. Here’s an overview of the damages that you can typically seek after a car accident:
- Medical Expenses: This covers all medical treatments related to your accident injuries, including emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and any future medical care required.
- Property Damage: This is compensation for repairs to or replacement of your vehicle and any other personal property damaged as a result of the accident.
- Loss of Income: If you’re unable to work due to catastrophic injuries, compensation can include lost wages from the time of the accident as well as future income loss if your ability to earn money is compromised.
- Emotional and Physical Pain and Suffering: This non-economic damage compensates you for the physical pain and discomfort experienced during and after the accident, as well as ongoing mental distress.
- Reduced Earning Potential: If your injuries affect your ability to work or earn at the same capacity as before the accident, you may be compensated for this reduction in earning ability. If permanent injuries prevent you from working at all, your financial recovery may be higher.
- Emotional Distress: Separate from pain and suffering, this compensation addresses the psychological impact of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues.
- Diminished Quality of Life: If the injuries you sustain prevent you from enjoying daily activities or hobbies that were part of your life before the accident, you may seek damages for this loss.
- Permanent Disability or Physical Disfigurement: Your compensation can include the long-term impacts of any permanent disabilities or disfigurement caused by the accident.
- Loss of Consortium: If your relationships with your spouse or family members are negatively affected due to the accident, you may be compensated for the loss of companionship or support.
Your car accident attorney will discuss any specific damage limitations that might apply to your case. They will also help you document and quantify all damages to ensure that your claim or lawsuit reflects the true extent of what you have endured as a result of the accident.
What If I Was Injured in a Hit and Run?
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident in Ohio, who will pay for your medical bills and other expenses depends on a few different scenarios.
If the Hit-and-Run Driver is Located and Identified
If the police manage to locate and identify the at-fault party who fled the scene, you may be able to seek compensation through the driver’s insurance policy, assuming they have one. However, it’s common for drivers who leave the scene of an accident to do so because they lack insurance. In such cases, if the negligent driver has any significant assets, you might try to pursue a claim against them personally, though these claims can be challenging and less likely to result in successful compensation.
If the Driver is Uninsured or Cannot Be Identified
In situations where the hit-and-run driver cannot be found or is uninsured, you may need to rely on your own insurance if you have the appropriate coverage:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance: This type of insurance is optional in Ohio and can provide up to $10,000 in coverage for medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault for the accident. It’s designed to cover you, the policyholder, without the need to establish fault, making it a valuable asset in hit-and-run cases.
- Med Pay Coverage: Medical Payments Coverage, or Med Pay, also provides for the medical costs incurred by you and any passengers in your vehicle. Like PIP, it is accessible regardless of fault, which means it can be used in the absence of the at-fault driver or if they lack insurance.
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage: This is another type of optional insurance that covers your damages if you are injured in a hit-and-run or by a driver who does not have insurance. It acts as a substitute for the at-fault driver’s insurance, covering costs such as medical expenses and, in some policies, lost wages and pain and suffering.
If you are unsure about the details of your insurance policy or need assistance pursuing a claim after a hit-and-run, consulting with a knowledgeable attorney can provide guidance.
Speak to a Columbus Car Accident Lawyer Today
At Plevin & Gallucci, we stand ready to help you fight for the compensation you need after a preventable car accident. Our experienced team will handle all aspects of your case, from gathering evidence and dealing with insurance companies to representing you in court if necessary. Don’t deal with this challenging time alone. Contact our law firm today to schedule your free initial consultation and find out how we can help you move forward with confidence.
