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Columbus Car Accident Lawyer

Have you suffered debilitating injuries after being involved in a car accident? Get help seeking justice by contacting a reputable car accident lawyer in Columbus.

After being injured in a car accident, you may be confused and unsure of what to expect next. On top of your physical injuries, you’ll also likely be dealing with considerable financial losses and emotional trauma from the car accident itself. Thankfully, you can take your recovery into your own hands by holding the liable party accountable for their negligence. 

Probably the last thing you want to have to handle while recuperating is a difficult litigation process. Fortunately, when you choose a qualified Columbus car accident lawyer at Rafidi, Pallante & Melewski LLC to represent your interests, you can simply focus on recovery while we work through the legal details of your case.

Liability in Columbus Car Accidents

Arguably the most important component of any Columbus car accident lawsuit is figuring out who is responsible for causing the accident. There are many different ways in which the accident could have occurred, and your lawyer must closely review the details of the case to determine fault. 

It’s not uncommon to assume that the driver of the vehicle that hit you is liable. Some of the most common causes of driver fault in Columbus car accidents include:

  • Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Driving while fatigued
  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Failure to stop 
  • Failure to use a turn signal
  • Following too closely
  • Reckless driving

It may surprise you to learn that the driver of the other involved vehicle may not actually be at fault for the accident. In fact, there are several circumstances in which other parties could be found liable. 

If there was a faulty or defective car part, for example, then the driver would not be responsible for your injuries. Instead, the automakers, parts manufacturers, safety inspectors, suppliers, technicians performing maintenance on either vehicle, and other involved parties could all have contributed to the accident and therefore be liable.

There is also the chance that the roads could have been unsafe and caused the accident. Maybe a street sign was missing, a traffic light was broken, a sidewalk was uneven, or another hazard that caused the car accident. If this is true for your case, then whichever government agency, maybe the Ohio Department of Transportation, for example, could be found liable. 

After investigating the cause of the accident, your car accident lawyer will have a better idea of who may be responsible for compensating you for your losses.

How to Deal with the Insurance Company After a Columbus Car Accident

Before you file a claim with the liable parties insurance company, it is important that you first obtain legal representation. This is because the insurance company is not going to be advocating for your rights. In fact, you shouldn’t be surprised if the insurance company does everything it can to reduce the amount of your compensation. 

One way the adjuster does this is by asking you for a statement. They then take that statement and manipulate your words to make it appear as though you are more at fault for the accident then you actually are.

Another way is by making you a quick settlement offer. This may sound like a great idea, but the settlement offers are usually worth significantly less than the amount that your damages are actually worth. You can avoid being taken advantage of by the liable parties insurance company by having your car accident lawyer in Columbus handle the car accident insurance negotiations on your behalf. 

Getting the Most Out of Your Columbus Car Accident Claim

If negotiations with the insurance company are successful, the insurance company will be responsible for covering certain losses, including your medical expenses and the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. But there are other types of losses you may also be entitled to recover. Some of the most frequently sought after types of car accident damages include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship and love
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of household services 
  • Scarring
  • Disfigurement
  • Reputational damage
  • Lost quality of life 

These are just a few of the most common types of financial and non-financial losses you may be able to recover in your Columbus car accident claim. Your lawyer will carefully review the ways your life has been impacted both now and in the future to ensure that every single loss is taken into consideration when calculating your claim’s value.

You should never try to exaggerate or over embellish the impact that your injuries have had, as this could have a negative impact on the outcome of your case. Be honest with your lawyer, and know that you are entitled to be made whole when someone else is responsible for disrupting your life in such a traumatic way.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Columbus

Are you ready to take charge of your civil claim? If so, reach out to a respected Columbus car accident lawyer at Rafidi, Pallante & Melewski LLC by calling 1-866-494-5387. You can also schedule your free, no-obligation consultation by filling out the quick contact form we have included at the bottom of this page. 

Contact our office today to get a free consultation with one of our car accident attorneys.

Columbus Car Accident FAQ

Getting your most important questions answered can help to reduce the anxiety and intimidation you likely feel at the thought of pursuing a lawsuit. With this in mind, we have included the answers to some of our most commonly asked questions so you can better prepare for what’s to come.  If there are other questions you have that have not been discussed on this page, contact our office to get the personalized attention your case needs.

Will I have to go to court?

Court is always a possibility if you want to obtain maximum compensation for your losses. In some instances, we may be able to get your case settled with the insurance company for the full amount of your claim. But this is not always possible. Sometimes insurers don’t want to settle claims fairly, or the amount they settle for does not match the extent of your damages. In these cases, going to court may be in your best interests.

 

 

Can I still file a claim if I’m partly responsible for the accident?

Yes, you can. In Ohio, sharing fault does not prevent you from obtaining compensation for your losses. The state follows comparative fault laws, so you can still be awarded for your suffering, but you will also be held accountable for your own part in the accident. This is done by reducing the amount of your award in proportion to your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent liable for the accident, your award will be reduced by 20 percent.

How long do I have to decide if I want to file a claim?

The length of time you have to file your claim is known as the statute of limitations. In the state of Ohio, you have two years from the date of the accident to get your claim filed. Failure to file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires will result in the dismissal of your claim.