Do You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Columbus, Ohio?
A personal injury attorney can help when someone is injured by the negligence of another. Negligence essentially means that someone did not act reasonably under the circumstances; in plain English, the other person did something stupid. For example, a person who caused injury to another while texting and driving would be negligent because he or she was not fully focused on the task of driving safely. When you are injured by the negligence of another, you have a right to assert a personal injury claim against the insurance company that insured the wrongdoer. It is impossible to turn back the clock to before the injury, so a personal injury claim is meant to provide the financial resources you need after any type of injury. After an injury, an attorney can assist in a variety of ways. A personal injury attorney can guide you through the process of making an insurance claim, dealing with the insurance company, taking care of medical expenses and health insurance liens. A seasoned personal injury attorney knows how to handle all aspects of the claim – not just settling with an insurance company.
What Types Of Compensation Can Be Recovered In A Personal Injury Lawsuit In Ohio?
Compensation can be recovered for:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Why Hire Our Firm For Your Personal Injury Case?
We have handled thousands of personal injury cases with unparalleled results. We prepare every case for trial and work hand-in-hand with our clients through the process. We don’t just settle cases, we work for the best outcome in your personal injury case. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured, the personal injury lawyers at Beausay & Nichols Law Firm are here to help. We firmly believe that the best measure of competence is results, and we are proud to have a record of success helping injury victims in:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Accidents on another’s property (premises liability)
- Dog bites
- Wrongful death
- Product liability (injuries resulting from defective products)
What Are Some Do’s And Don’ts After A Personal Injury?
Do:
- Seek medical treatment
- Call the police
- Document the scene
- Get contact information
If you are injured, see a doctor immediately. If necessary, call an ambulance. The police will file a report, which is important for your records. Take pictures of the scene of the crash using a cellphone or camera. Get the name, phone number and license plate numbers of the other party involved in the crash, plus any witnesses.
Don’t:
- Apologize
- Leave the scene
- Say, “It’s O.K.”
- Talk to insurance companies
Although it is a natural instinct to apologize, do not do this, as it might be taken as an admission of liability. Even if the accident is minor, do not leave the scene until you have the other driver’s contact information and you have documented the scene. This can also be taken as an admission of fault. Insurance companies will want to talk to you. They may want to record your statement. Don’t do it. Insurance companies want to minimize your damages. They do not have your best interests in mind. So be careful in any interaction with an insurance company.
What Can You Expect From Our Columbus Personal Injury Lawyers When Handling Your Case?
Getting a personal injury case settled or tried is a process. When we are retained as your personal injury lawyer, here is what we do:
- Investigate the accident
- Obtain all medical records and bills related to your injury
- Determine all insurance coverage and policy limits that are available to you
- Communicate with the insurance company (or companies) involved in the case
- Protect you from bill collectors, healthcare providers, and lien holders
- Present a settlement proposal to the insurance company or companies
If we cannot settle your claim, we then will file a civil action in the appropriate court. Filing a lawsuit usually results in a delay in your recovery and, for that reason, we try to avoid filing. Lawsuits normally take 12-18 months from the filing date. The case can and often do settle before trial. When a case is filed, the process is as follows:
- File a complaint
- Defendant(s) file an answer
- Exchange of information (discovery)
- Depositions
- Trial
We of course are in contact with you throughout this process. We want you to be involved in the key decision-making.
What Are The Steps In A Personal Injury Claim In Ohio?
Meeting With An Attorney The very first step in a personal injury claim is to hire a reputable, trustworthy lawyer like the ones at Beausay & Nichols Law Firm. In your free consultation, we will discuss the accident and your injuries. We will determine whether you have a case, and then we will proceed to the next step. Filing The Paperwork Then, we will file a complaint, or petition, with the court. These are the official documents that outline your case against the defendant. These papers state the facts of your case, including when, where and how the injury occurred. Discovery In discovery, each side gathers facts and evidence about the case. This may include written statements, depositions, medical records or other important documents. This step allows each party to discover as much evidence as possible to support their case. Pretrial Motions Before the case goes to trial, the other side may file a motion to have the case dismissed due to lack of evidence, lack of jurisdiction or another reason. If the judge denies the motion, then our case will proceed to court. Settlement Or Trial Many times, we can settle your case out of court. The benefit of this is that it usually takes less time and less money. But if the other party does not offer a settlement that we feel is fair, then we will go to trial. A judge or jury will issue a decision regarding the case, including how much compensation, if any, the other side must pay.
Your Personal Injury Case Deserves Skilled Lawyers
Beausay & Nichols Law Firm is a family of lawyers dedicated to getting the best outcome for those suffering serious injuries in Ohio. From our Columbus-based office we offer clients strong litigation skills, vast experience, and impressive results. We offer free consultations and do not get paid unless we win your case. Don’t settle for a personal injury lawyer that just settles; join our family and get the team your case deserves. Find out more about how our success can become yours by calling 614-529-3476 or reaching out to us through email.
