If you’ve been injured in a traffic accident, you may be able to file a claim to recover compensation for your losses. A Columbus car accident lawyer from Thomas Law Offices can evaluate your situation and help you take legal action.
The steps you take immediately following a car accident will play an important role in the final outcome of your personal injury claim. In addition to seeking medical attention, preserving evidence through photographs and eyewitness accounts, and filing a police report, you’ll want to get in touch with a Columbus car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Successful negligence claims are built on strong evidence and backed by Ohio state law. As Columbus car accident attorneys, it’s our job to guide our clients through legal situations so they have a comprehensive understanding of their rights and options. When you work with Thomas Law Offices, we’ll help you build a Columbus car accident case that proves you were wronged and shows just exactly what you’re rightfully owed for your injuries and damages.
While Columbus car accidents can happen for any number of reasons, the majority of our clients come to us after becoming involved in one of the following types of collisions:
These types of preventable car accidents happen when a driver isn’t completely focused on the road. It takes less than a second for a motorist engaged in distracted driving to lose control of their vehicle. Common distractions resulting in car accidents include:
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of rear-end collisions because when the following driver isn’t paying attention, they don’t have enough time to brake to avoid causing a car accident.
When a person is under the influence of alcohol (engages in drunk driving), their ability to make good driving decisions and focus their attention on the road is severely compromised. An intoxicated motorist may operate their vehicle recklessly by speeding, swerving in between lanes, or disregarding traffic signals.
It’s not uncommon for drunk motorists to leave their lane and travel into oncoming traffic, causing a head-on collision, often resulting in the other vehicle operator’s wrongful death. Additionally, intoxicated motorists may have difficulty recognizing pedestrians who enter their path and crash into them, causing them significant harm, such as a traumatic brain injury or costing them their life.
Sometimes, car accidents are the fault of a vehicle manufacturer. Any crashes that occur may be attributable to a design or manufacturing flaw.
If a car’s steering mechanism or brake system malfunctions and a driver loses control of their vehicle, a crash resulting in injuries or a wrongful death can occur. Our auto accident lawyers in Columbus, Ohio can determine what went wrong during the design or manufacturing process that resulted in the vehicle’s defects and point you in the right direction of how you might want to file auto accident claims.
Our Columbus car accident lawyers handle our fair share of cases in which reckless driving results in a crash. Reckless driving, such as the following, is frequently responsible for these preventable crashes:
Our Columbus car accident lawyers here at Thomas Law Offices have, unfortunately, handled our fair share of hit-and-run crash cases in which our clients’ cars were damaged in the collision, and many also have suffered a permanent injury. In cases like these, our car accident attorneys will request documentation from your insurance company to verify whether you have uninsured motorist coverage that can cover your crash-related expenses.
Another type of wreck that our Columbus car accident attorneys often handle is a rear-end crash. You might not think that this type of wreck poses such a significant personal injury risk until you have the misfortune of becoming involved in such a crash yourself.
Speed, the weight of the pursuing driver’s vehicle, and the size and design of the two vehicles involved in the crash are just some of the many factors that determine how significant the resulting damages and injuries may be.
No matter what type of incident resulted in your motor vehicle accident, the attorneys at our law firm can determine if negligence played a role in causing your car wreck. If our Columbus car accident lawyers determine that’s the case, we can advise you of your legal options and how we can help you obtain the compensation you need to pay for medical treatment you’ve already received or may require, as well as other expenses you’ve accumulated.
Meeting with a Columbus car accident attorney for a free consultation to discuss your case doesn’t cost you anything. Our Ohio law firm also takes on personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t have to pay for an experienced car accident lawyer from Thomas Law Offices to represent you unless we reach a settlement with an insurance company.
If a medical mistake harmed you or your newborn, we’ll investigate what went wrong and fight for funds for lifelong care. Start with a free case evaluation today.
A head injury can change everything. We pursue negligent drivers, companies, and providers to seek compensation for treatment, lost income, and long-term needs. Get a free case evaluation now.
Exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune (1953–1987)? This page explains what happened and potential harms—note the firm is no longer taking these cases. Explore the details and see other options.
From fender-benders to serious crashes, we help you pursue the money you need for medical bills, repairs, and time off work. Don’t face insurers alone—request a free case evaluation.
Hurt on a jobsite? We’ll identify who’s responsible beyond workers’ comp and pursue the recovery you deserve for pain, lost wages, and medical costs. Talk to us for a free case evaluation.
When care goes wrong, you deserve answers and accountability. We review records, build strong claims, and pursue compensation for the harm you suffered. Schedule a free case evaluation.
Motorcyclists are vulnerable—and insurers know it. We fight for riders injured by careless drivers and push for full compensation for medical care and recovery. Request a free case evaluation.
If your premature baby developed NEC after cow’s milk-based formula, your family may have legal options. We’re representing families seeking justice and compensation—act now for a free case evaluation.
Attacked because a property lacked basic security? We investigate owners’ failures—lighting, locks, cameras, staffing—and pursue compensation for your injuries. Start with a free case evaluation.
If a loved one was neglected or harmed in a facility, we’ll help you hold the home accountable and pursue compensation. Take action today—get a free case evaluation.
Injured because someone else was careless? We’ll handle the legal fight so you can focus on healing and getting life back on track. Start with a free case evaluation.
Used a recalled Philips CPAP/BiPAP or ventilator? We help people harmed by defective devices pursue claims tied to the recall and alleged foam exposure. Get a free case evaluation.
Hurt on someone else’s property? We pinpoint unsafe conditions, prove negligence, and pursue damages for medical bills and lost time. Don’t wait—get a free case evaluation.
Defective products shouldn’t cost you your health. We pursue manufacturers and sellers when unsafe designs or warnings lead to injury. Find out if you have a claim—free case evaluation.
Survivors deserve support and accountability. We help you understand your rights and pursue civil action against abusers and enablers. When you’re ready, request a free case evaluation.
A fall can mean ER visits, missed work, and lasting pain. If poor maintenance or hazards caused your injury, we’ll help you pursue compensation. Get a free case evaluation today.
Benefits can be hard to win alone. If a condition keeps you from working, we’ll guide you through the SSA process and strengthen your claim. Start with a free case evaluation.
Spinal trauma can bring lifelong care needs and huge costs. We fight for compensation that reflects the full impact on your mobility, work, and future. Request a free case evaluation.
Crashes with semis are complex and high-stakes. We investigate drivers and trucking companies and pursue the recovery you need after serious injuries. Get a free case evaluation now.
Injured at work in Kentucky? We help Louisville workers fight delays, denials, and lowball benefits so you can get medical care and wage support. Request a free consultation.
When negligence takes a life, accountability matters. We help families pursue a wrongful death claim and seek financial stability during an impossible time. Start with a free case evaluation.
You have enough on your plate. Get a free case evaluation and clear answers from our experienced attorneys today — we’ll take it from here.
Car accident injuries vary significantly. While many people often discuss physical injuries someone might suffer in a crash, our Columbus auto accident attorneys, in our extensive experience helping car accident victims, have found that our clients often suffer from mental health concerns too.
Car accident victims often consider themselves lucky if they walk away with only cuts and bruises following a crash. While it’s likely they’ll be sore and fatigued for a while, motorists with relatively minor injuries usually recover within a matter of weeks.
Unfortunately, not all car accidents result in minor injuries. Common, more serious injuries car accident victims suffer include:
Depending on the degree of their injury, accident victims could be looking at months of recovery time and changes in their ability to work until they’ve fully healed.
Head trauma or a traumatic brain injury, internal organ damage, and spinal cord injuries are among the most severe physical damage people sustain in car accidents. In some instances, impairments as debilitating as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries may be fatal or result in debilitating, life-long conditions.
In addition to physical injuries, you could be dealing with emotional trauma. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, who was involved, and what you’re dealing with now, you could be suffering from some of the following mental health (emotional or behavioral) concerns:
With a car accident claim in Columbus, you can take the steps you need to manage your emotional trauma—which could include therapy, counseling, or medication.
Once you’re on track with managing your injuries, you’ll most likely need to figure out what to do about your car. Property damage costs can rack up quickly—especially when vehicles are involved. Depending on the insurance company policies and the severity of the crash, your vehicle could be labeled totaled—meaning it’s no longer roadworthy. If that happens and you need to figure out how to get a new vehicle, our car accident lawyers can help you work through that process too.
The aftermath of car or truck accidents can evoke a lot of confusion. The most important step to take after any collision in Ohio is making note of certain details at the crash scene, which includes:
You’ll also need to obtain a copy of the crash report. This will include official information like:
Even if you feel fine after the crash, you’ll need to seek medical care. You could have injuries that haven’t manifested symptoms yet.
You’ll want to safeguard any medical records your health care providers give you and turn them over to your Columbus car accident attorney at our law firm for further review when you initially meet. This will aid your car accident lawyer as they look to calculate your damages and prepare a demand letter to send to the insurance company representing the at-fault motorist so that you can obtain compensation.
In addition to all the steps above, it’s also important to have an accurate account of the physical damage you incurred. Photographs and auto body shop quotes for repairs can provide your car accident lawyer at Thomas Law Offices with added insight into how your crash occurred and also help with damages calculations to ensure your monetary award we negotiate with an insurance adjuster is accurate.
If you’re wondering when is a good time to reach out to Columbus car accident lawyers, then after you’ve been checked out by a doctor is best. Knowing the extent of your injuries allows your accident lawyer to better assess for negligent drivers’ liability and to give you a ballpark estimate as to what your case may be worth.
As previously discussed, if negligence played a role in your car accident in Columbus, you have the right to seek full and fair compensation for your losses. This could include money for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, future medical expenses, or missed income. What you are entitled to will depend on your situation and the severity of the car crash.
Any insurance settlement you recover may be able to be applied to any losses associated with your car accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and more. If you lose a loved one in a wreck, you can file a wrongful death claim on their behalf to recover maximum compensation that can additionally be used to pay for funeral and burial costs.
For your insurance claim to be successful, you’ll need to be able to prove the other driver was at fault for the crash. Most personal injury claims are built on the concept of negligence.
Regarding a car accident, proving negligence involves establishing that:
Ohio is considered a modified comparative negligence state. This means that you can recover compensation against any party who was more at fault than you. In the event, however, you are deemed liable for a portion of the auto accident, your damages will be reduced by the percentage that corresponds with your liability. For example, if you are awarded $20,000 but are found to be 10% at fault, you’ll only be eligible for $18,000.
It’s important to note that the compensation you’re eligible for cannot exceed the insurance coverage limits of the negligent driver. In Ohio, the minimum liability insurance coverage is set at $25,000 for personal injury or death per person and event, $50,000 for the personal injury or death of two or more people per event, and $25,000 for property damage per event.
If you’re looking to recover more compensation, you’ll need to file a car accident lawsuit with the insurance company the at-fault driver has coverage with. Thomas Law Offices can guide you through that process and help you maneuver your way through trial so you get a fair verdict for your losses from a judge or jury in Franklin County or any other one in or around Columbus.
If your life has been upended in a car accident that someone else caused, you deserve the opportunity to hold them accountable and seek maximum compensation for your losses. Trying to do that on your own could jeopardize your award amount, which is why it’s best to seek guidance from a Columbus car accident lawyer.
At Thomas Law Offices, we have extensive experience helping car crash victims recover financially from an auto accident—which allows them to focus on healing physically and emotionally. We understand that pursuing a personal injury claim can seem intimidating, especially if you have serious injuries and have missed time away from work. However, when you work with us, we’ll do what it takes to manage your claim and fight on your behalf to ensure you receive a full and fair settlement offer.
It’s important to note that while most car accident claims settle outside of court through negotiations, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if a lawsuit is the only way to ensure success.
Contact us today to learn more about personal injury law and how a car accident claim can help you recover and secure your future. We’ll schedule a case evaluation and help you determine how best to proceed based on your unique circumstances.
Any incident of sexual assault is a traumatic violation that can impact the victim for the rest of their life. An assailant who’s convicted of such a crime is justifiably labeled as a sexual predator. With that label comes restrictions that are designed to prevent the convicted felon from ever carrying out another assault. When...
The difference between a birth injury and a birth defect typically comes down to three things: timing, cause, and preventability. When something is wrong with their newborn, families aren’t sitting around sorting medical terms for fun. They’re trying to understand what happened, why it happened, and whether anyone could have stopped it. That last question...
Every parent who goes through a pregnancy does so with a mix of anticipated joy and anxiety. They can’t wait to bring the baby into the world to start a family, but they’re also worried about the baby and the mother’s health throughout the pregnancy and delivery. There’s good reason to be concerned. Even with...
Have You Been Injured? We're Ready to Fight for You.
