Columbus Car Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a crash, you may be wondering if you should respond to an auto insurer’s requests for a recorded statement, or to a questionnaire about the crash from a company acting on behalf of your health insurer. You may have received your first unpaid medical bill, or missed your first paycheck and are increasingly anxious to know who will be paying your medical bills and how you will be recovering your lost wages.

You may even have noticed inaccuracies, or outright falsehoods, in the police report and witness statements and are unsure of what to do next. An experienced attorney can guide you through these and the many issues and pitfalls that arise after a serious auto accident. Many aspects of your auto accident case are time sensitive, and receiving sound legal guidance sooner rather than later will serve to protect your rights and interest through this complex, unfamiliar and often unforgiving process.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim?

The statute of limitations to file a car accident claim in Ohio is two years. This means that you have to years from the date of your accident to file a claim or you will lose your right to compensation. Additionally, the state of Ohio is a "modified comparative negligence" state. This means that even if you were at partially at fault for an accident, you can still file a claim to recover damages as long as you are not more then fifty percent at fault. Whatever compensation is recovered will be reduced by the percentage of fault you are determined to be responsible for.

Hear what our clients are saying about their experiences with Rourke & Blumenthal.

Who Is Liable for a Car Accident in Ohio?

The state of Ohio is a “fault” state when it comes to car accident liability. This simply means that the party responsible for causing the accident is responsible for any resulting damages, although the at-fault party’s insurance company is typically the one actually paying these damages.

Fault state allows injury victims to file personal injury claims with more ease and then those living in “no-fault” states. In no-fault states, every driver is required to carry a special type of insurance called personal injury protection coverage (PIP). In the event of an accident, an injured party would file a claim with their own insurance and recover compensation under their PIP policy. This system makes filing a personal injury claim against another driver a much more complicated process as certain conditions must be met in order to file a claim.

In Ohio, every driver has the option to file a personal injury claim against a negligent driver, even if they share fault in causing the accident. This is called a “comparative fault” rule, and it allows drivers who are less than 50% at fault for the accident that led to their injuries to pursue compensation. In this situation, however, your total compensation would be reduced by the percentage of fault you are determined to be responsible for.

Click here to view verdicts and settlements for some of auto accident cases.

Why Should I Contact Rourke & Blumenthal?

When You Call Rourke & Blumenthal, You Will Speak With An Experienced Attorney Familiar With Every Aspect Of Auto Injury Cases.

Unlike many firms in Ohio, we do not pass off callers to paralegals or assistants. During your free consultation, an attorney will take the time to explain the issues, answer your questions, and get you on track to obtain a successful resolution of your claim.

Rourke & Blumenthal Has The Resources Necessary To Investigate The Crash And Win Your Case.

Accident cases often involve disputed facts, and insurance companies will not pay unless you can break the tie. If warranted by the facts in your case, Rourke & Blumenthal will work with top experts in accident reconstruction to obtain the information needed to prove your case. If we are not successful in obtaining a recovery for your auto accident case, you will not be responsible for repaying Rourke & Blumenthal for the expenses advanced by Rourke & Blumenthal to pursue your claim.

Our Attorneys Have The Expertise And Grit Necessary To Effectively Negotiate With Insurers.

It is not the job of insurance companies to give you a fair deal. They will do their best to pay as little as possible and to undermine your claim. Insurance adjusters know that the attorneys at Rourke & Blumenthal passionately pursue our client’s cases during negotiations and, if necessary, in litigation. This allows us to achieve great results for our clients.

We Have The Respect Of Peers And Professionals Throughout Ohio And An Earned Reputation Of Success.

Many Ohio attorneys look to Rourke & Blumenthal for assistance with complex and challenging cases. The majority of our clients find Rourke and Blumenthal LLC after being referred by a trusted attorney. Defense attorneys and insurance adjusters alike are well aware of our work ethic and expertise and have referred injured friends and family members to Rourke & Blumenthal for help. While many firms employ aggressive sales and solicitation tactics, Rourke & Blumenthal receives nearly all of our cases from former clients and attorney referrals.

Can I File A Car Accident Claim After Insurance Pays?

Most settlement offers include in the agreement that no additional compensation beyond the settlement amount can be collected after a settlement is signed. This is true even if your injuries become more severe in the following weeks and months after your accident, as is common with injuries sustained in a car accident. If you have been offered a settlement, or if you have already signed one, call Rourke & Blumenthal today to talk about your case.