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Frequently Asked Questions

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These are the most common questions that clients ask us with regard to personal injury. Bear in mind that the circumstances of every injury case are unique.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?

Many people think that it could cost thousands to hire a personal injury attorney in Columbus, OH. Many times, because they believe that they are unable to afford an attorney, they will try to handle the case themselves. This could include speaking with the insurance companies, finding medical providers, repairing their car, obtaining a rental car – all while trying to treat and recover from their injuries. When they are not successful with the outcome months later, they wonder what they could have done differently. Many may question their decision to not hire an experienced lawyer at the beginning of their claim. 

Personal injury lawyers in Columbus receive many inquiries from injury victims who are interested in reopening their claim. They thought they could handle their claim on their own and were not satisfied with the result; they then would like to have a do over. While there may be an opportunity to appeal, there is no guarantee that this is an option and the damage may already be done. The judge that hears that appeal may also be the same judge who was involved in the first case. Under these circumstances, there may be very little – if anything – that an injury lawyer may be able to do to assist. 

If you suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, these are some of the reasons why it is wise to think about hiring a lawyer as soon as you are medically able to. There are no upfront costs to hire an attorney. If you are able to obtain a positive recovery (money) for your case, the lawyer will get a percentage of the recovery for their fee. This fee is because the lawyer has provided a service to their client and they, as most everyone else, are not able to work for free. However, if you do not win your case, then the lawyer does not get anything. They are taking a risk on their client. If the case is not strong enough or if the client did not give information to the attorney at the beginning of the case, then the attorney may get blindsided later on. The lawyer could potentially put hundreds of hours into a case and walk away with nothing. 

How Much of Your Settlement Does Your Personal Injury Attorney Receive?

One of the first questions many attorneys hear from their personal injury clients is how much of their settlement will they take. If your case does not go to trial, an injury lawyer will generally receive one-third of your settlement or judgment, or 33%. If your case does go to trial, they’ll receive around 40%. This increase in fees is to cover the costs of trial preparation, including hiring additional experts, preparing exhibits to display to present at court, and the additional time needed to prepare your case. 

While these fees may sound like a lot of money, considering the situation described above, it is better to have 66% of a recovery as opposed to nothing or very little if you attempted to handle your case yourself and were not successful. A skilled attorney can prepare the evidence needed to prove that the other driver is at fault; they will hire experts to show how serious your injuries were; they will negotiate with the medical providers on your bills; and they will negotiate with the insurance adjuster to attempt to settle your claim. If they are unable to settle then the case may go to court. Lawyers spend every day practicing law and are familiar with the procedures, strategies and law, and are able to handle claims properly and in the client’s best interest.

What Happens if You Lose Your Case?

Many clients ask what will happen if they lose their case? If a client does not receive a favorable outcome and they are not awarded any compensation, how do personal injury lawyers get paid? The simple answer is that they do not get paid. 

If a client does not win or settle their case, then the attorney gets nothing. This may seem unfair as the attorney has put many hours of work into the case and generated many expenses; however, it is a risk that the lawyer takes. This is why attorneys are careful about which cases they will handle. After reviewing the accident and injury, if the attorney feels that the injured victim does not have a realistic chance of winning the claim, then the attorney will not represent them. This is because the attorney does not want to waste time and resources.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney In Columbus, Ohio if You Have Been Hurt

If you are hurt in an accident in Columbus, it is important to call an experienced Columbus personal injury attorney to discuss your legal rights. The firm can review your case and discuss your options; this will not cost you anything upfront. 

Call now and schedule your free consultation. It is completely free to discuss your injuries and accident. When you work with an experienced injury attorney, you have the peace of mind knowing that you have a skilled Columbus personal injury lawyer by your side throughout the entire case.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Represent My Claim?

If you or someone you love sustained injuries in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be feeling overwhelmed with emotions and stress. You may have a lot of questions, including how you will pay for your medical bills, manage your finances as a result of lost income, and travel to places while your car is being repaired. You may also be wondering if you should hire a Columbus personal injury attorney to help you with all of these matters. 

An experienced personal injury attorney can help answer your questions about your injuries and walk you through the process of a personal injury claim. This guidance can help you get back on your feet. 

If you suffered significant injuries or even loss of life, the stakes are high. If your injury involved a commercial vehicle, such as an 18-wheeler, there may be additional steps needed to resolve your case. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the tedious personal injury claim process while you focus on your recovery.

Do I Really Need to Hire a Lawyer to Handle a Personal Injury Claim?

When dealing with a personal injury claim, it is not a legal requirement to hire a personal injury claim. You may file all of the required paperwork and represent yourself in court; however, hiring an experienced attorney that practices law every day and is familiar with the procedures and laws may increase your chances of receiving the compensation that you deserve. 

Depending on the circumstances of your injuries and claim, you may have to hire expert witnesses, review documents provided by the defendant, hire medical personnel to review medical records, hire accident scene recreationist specialists, and prepare research. You will also need to follow the complex rules of evidence and procedures to file motions, present your case, make objections and more. If you attempt to settle your claim outside of court, you will try to maximize the amount you are able to recover. Having an attorney to help navigate the system can help ensure that the procedures and practices are followed correctly to help obtain maximum compensation for you. 

Insurance companies are in the business of protecting their bottom line and maximizing their profits. They may attempt to minimize their payout to do this. Insurance companies do this every day, all day, while this may be your first attempt at handling a claim. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help level the playing field by handling negotiations, maneuvering the pre-trial process, and if in the best interest of your claim, taking a case to trial. A lawyer can help fight to secure the compensation that you deserve after being hurt by someone else’s negligence.

What are the Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you chose to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company on your own behalf, or the at-fault party directly, the chances are that you will only get a settlement offer that is not fair and does not adequately cover your medical bills, car repair bills, lost time from work and other expenses.

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

A personal injury lawyer will help you every step of the way with your claim. They will listen as you explain how you were injured, review the circumstances surrounding your injury, help you obtain medical treatment, gather evidence to show how the other party was negligent, advise you on your options and help guide you through the process. This also includes: 

  • Listen to your concerns and answer questions
  • Assist in finding medical providers for your treatment
  • Review medical records to document the extent of your injuries and potential future care needs
  • Identify all areas of lost income and wages plus expenses that you have incurred as a result of the accident
  • Identify any future care plans
  • Ensure that all court documents and paperwork are filed correctly
  • Gather all evidence and hire witnesses as needed to prepare this evidence
  • Represent you during discussions and negotiations with the insurance companies
  • Propose settlement offers and act in your best interest

A personal injury lawyer and their team will take the burden of the legal process off of your plate and provide you with the guidance needed during this complex and tedious process.

How to Choose a Personal Injury Attorney

When it comes to selecting a personal injury lawyer for your claim, there are many options that are available. You can search online, watch attorney commercials, check with the local or state Bar associations, or ask friends and family for a recommendation. 

After you have decided on a personal injury lawyer, reach out to the lawyer to schedule an initial consultation. Most injury attorneys will offer this service free of charge. During the consultation, your legal issues will be evaluated to determine if the lawyer will represent you. You want to take your time in selecting which attorney you would like to work with so that you will feel like you can trust them and will be confident that they will provide you with proper guidance and effective representation.

Questions to Ask Your Potential Personal Injury Lawyer

Hiring an injury attorney is a major decision to make. It is important to understand and be familiar with the background of the injury lawyer that you meet with, including how long they have been practicing, if they have experience dealing with your type of case, how they handle cases like yours, etc. When you are researching potential attorneys, questions to ask may include: 

  • How long have you been in practice?
  • Do you specialize in personal injury law? 
  • How frequently do you deal with cases similar to mine? 
  • What factors do you see that could help my case and what things may work against me?
  • What types of verdicts and settlements have you won for cases that are similar to mine?

Is There a Limit on How Much Time Can Pass Before I File a Personal Injury Claim?

A statute of limitations is a limited time window on when you can file a personal injury claim. In most states, the statute of limitations to file a claim is two years. 

If you do not file a claim within the statute of limitations, you may lose your right to file a personal injury claim for compensation with the courts system. 

If you are looking to hire a personal injury attorney that you can trust, reach out to our law firm today to schedule a free consultation. Our team can help you understand your rights and determine the value of your injury claim.

Do I Have a Personal Injury Claim?

If you have been injured by another party’s negligence, you may have many questions. How am I going to pay my bills, what kind of doctor do I need, how am I going to get my car repaired? You may also wonder if you have a personal injury claim.

What is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury lawsuit may be filed if you were injured by the negligence or intentional wrongful act of another person or entity. If there is negligence, another person may be legally responsible and the insurance company of that person or entity may provide compensation (money) to the injured party for medical bills, lost wages, lost future earnings, pain and suffering and other economic losses sustained as the result of the injury. It can range from a car accident to a slip and fall accident to a dog bite. It can also involve medical malpractice or product liability.

Did Another Person or Company Cause You to Be Injured?

If another person or entity causes you to be injured, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim. If you are driving and are rear-ended, resulting in whiplash and back pain, then you may be able to file a personal injury claim. However, if your car is struck while parked in a parking lot and you were not in the vehicle, then you would not have a personal injury claim as no physical harm has occurred.

Did the Accident Cause the Injury?

The cause of an injury and who is responsible for the injury can be a complicated question. If you have a pre-existing condition, such as back pain, and you are in an accident, it is important to prove how the accident made your pre-existing injury worse. If you have never had back pain and are suddenly experiencing it after being t-boned, then an attorney can show how the accident caused the injury.

Is There a Deadline to File a Personal Injury Claim?

If you have been injured and are looking to file a lawsuit against the negligent party for damages, there is a designated time window in which you must file. This time window is called the Statute of Limitations. If you do not file within this designated time frame, you may lose your right to file the claim. For many states, the Statute of Limitations for a personal injury claim is two years from the date the injury happened; this means if you attempt to file after two years you will not be able to file the claim.

What Should I Do After an Accident?

If you are involved in an accident, the first thing to do is seek medical help for your injuries. Even if you do not immediately feel any pain it is important to have a medical provider provide a medical exam as some injuries may not be felt immediately. Additionally, if you are not taken from the scene by ambulance, it is important to try and obtain the contact information for any witnesses, exchange information with all parties including insurance information, take photos of the accident scene, and write down any notes involving the accident. This may involve the time of day, the weather and condition of the roads, and if you noticed the other driver(s) engaging in any behavior that may have resulted in them being distracted, such as texting. When you are able, you should also write down exactly what you can remember about the accident and how it occurred, including as many details as you are able.

Do I Need An Attorney?

If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to understand your rights. Insurance companies may attempt to undervalue or outright deny an accident claim; they are in the business to make money and have teams of employees and lawyers that handle accident claims every day. An experienced lawyer will have the knowledge necessary to answer any questions that you may have about your accident, your injuries and the claims process. They will represent you and your best interests and fight to obtain compensation on your behalf from the other negligent parties. Throughout your case, your attorney will provide you with guidance and direction to help protect your best interests.

What Types of Damages Can I Collect In a Personal Injury Claim?

Filing a personal injury lawsuit allows the injured victim to seek financial compensation from the negligent party of entities for damages that result from the accident. These economic and non-economic damages may include:

  • Compensation for lost wages and future earnings
  • Compensation for medical bills, including diagnostic testing, physical therapy and surgical costs
  • Compensation for travel to and from medical providers
  • Compensation for repair or replacement of your vehicle
  • Pain and suffering and emotional suffering
  • Loss of consortium

How Much is My Personal Injury Claim Worth?

No two accidents are exactly the same. The compensation received in an injury claim depends on a number of factors, including the extent of the injuries, what financial losses were incurred, how much work was missed, will there be reduced earning ability in the future, will you need ongoing care, and any other financial losses that incurred as the result of the injury. An experienced personal injury attorney will review the accident information along with your medical records and treatment to gather the needed information to discuss your claim with the insurance company. 

If you are injured due to someone else’s negligence, reach out to an injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights.

What to Do After an Accident?

After an accident, it is important to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. If you are not transported to a medical facility from the scene of the accident, it is critical to gather as much information as you are medically able. This information includes the contact information for the other driver(s), witnesses, photographs of the accident scene and the road conditions, the time of day, the weather, and anything that other driver(s) may say related to their driving during the accident. Documenting this information can help provide evidence as to how the accident occurred and what injuries you suffered. This can help provide the insurance company with an outline of the economic losses you suffered as a direct result of the accident and how you should be compensated for these losses.

What Factors Determine How Much a Claim is Worth?

There are many factors that may contribute to what a case is worth. These factors include the various injuries, the type of insurance coverage, the culpability in the accident, lost wages, future lost earning potential, and medical expenses may make one person’s claim greater or less than another injured victim. When determining how much your claim is worth, an experienced auto accident attorney will evaluate this information to obtain a settlement claim that can help with these financial losses.

How Can a Lawyer Help with a Personal Injury Claim?

If you are injured in a personal injury claim, an experienced injury attorney will review all of the information and facts related to the case. He will then identify the expenses that occurred as a result of the accident and injuries and present this information to the insurance company. These efforts may include reviewing medical records and hiring experts to help determine your case value.

Understand Your Legal Rights if You Have Been Injured

If you have been injured it is important to understand your legal rights and what compensation may be available to you. A car accident settlement may help compensate you for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering that are a direct result of the accident and injuries. Contact a lawyer today to review your legal rights.

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