In the moments following a car accident, it is normal to be disoriented. Your mind may be racing with a million questions: Am I going to be okay? Is anyone hurt? What do I do? Who should I call?
Bowling Green, OH car accident lawyers have seen this before and are here to help. After a car accident, calling an injury attorney can be one of the most important steps you take after seeking medical attention.
Recovering Damages After a Crash
The purpose of a civil lawsuit is to compensate you for your losses. This includes the physical, emotional, and financial damage you sustained in the crash. An attorney cannot guarantee a positive outcome or predict with certainty what your case is worth, but they can advise you on the types of damages available. Some examples include:
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Car repair costs
- Past and future medical bills
- Diminished future earning power
A clear understanding of what your case is worth is invaluable. Let the Bowling Green auto collision attorneys at Charles E. Boyk Law Offices review the facts of your accident today.
Our No Fee Promise
We are confident in our ability to serve as your advocate, and we are proud of our track record of success in car accident injury cases. Our No Fee Promise means you will never owe us our fee unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we retain a portion of your settlement instead of billing by the hour or asking for payment upfront. This allows you to move forward with your case regardless of your financial situation. In the rare situations where we are unsuccessful, you will not owe us anything.
What If I Am Partially at Fault for My Car Wreck?
A central aspect of a personal injury claim is determining who is at fault. Often, there is little doubt that the crash would not have happened but for the actions of the other party. In this scenario, they are entirely at fault for any damage that occurred.
Not every car accident case is so cut and dry. If you are partially to blame for the accident, a standard known as comparative negligence comes into play. Under the law, you are not barred from seeking compensation following a car accident, even if you were partially to blame. An individual is only prohibited from recovering damages if their percentage of fault is greater than the other driver’s.
This standard also impacts the value of your award. If you are successful at trial, the court will award you a percentage of your damages based on the value of the claim. For example, anyone found 25 percent at fault for a crash would lose out on a quarter of their recovery. Our seasoned Bowling Green attorneys can help further explain comparative negligence during a complimentary and confidential consultation.
There Is Limited Time to File a Lawsuit
The statute of limitations governs every car accident injury case. According to state law, this legal deadline generally expires two years from the date of the collision. The consequences of noncompliance are steep, as anyone who waits too long to file their lawsuit could be prohibited from ever recovering compensation.
Some exceptions apply to the statute of limitations that generally provide a plaintiff (the person seeking damages) additional time to file their case. The most common exception that tolls—or pauses—the statutory period is a legal disability. This includes a person’s age when they are younger than 18. In that scenario, the clock only starts to count down when the injured party reaches the age of majority. Other exceptions might involve defendants who fled the state to avoid the lawsuit or are currently incarcerated.
It is never a good idea to assume there are exceptions in a given situation. And on occasion, certain details may even lessen the statute of limitations. A car accident attorney in Bowling Green can carefully review the facts to determine when the deadline actually expires.
Why You Need An Auto Accident Attorney
Everyone knows someone who has been in a serious accident. Everyone has heard of or seen the devastating or even deadly consequences that can occur when someone drinks and drives, does not pay adequate attention or even falls asleep at the wheel.
When another person’s negligent actions result in serious bodily injury or loss of a loved one, people owe it to themselves to seek compensation with the help of a trusted Bowling Green, OH car accident attorney.
Making a claim is a chance to hold the responsible party accountable so they and others will be more careful in the future. It is also a chance to cope with the expenses that often accompany a major accident. Again, the injuries that may result from a car accident are varied and extensive.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Bowling Green car wreck attorneys have years of experience helping injured parties obtain just compensation. Lawyers understand that each case is unique and will work to secure a fair amount based on their client’s circumstances. Some of the common injuries we have seen — and successfully assisted with — include:
- Broken bones
- Punctured or otherwise ruptured organs
- Brain, nerve, and spine injuries
- Paralysis
Such injuries can have lifelong and painful consequences. Adjusted living and working facilities, cost of care and medication, surgeries, and time taken from work: these are just a few of the financial stressors that lay in the aftermath of a car accident.
When individuals are struggling with serious or long-term injuries, attorneys certainly do not want them to endure the added financial burden of medical and therapy bills.
Contacting an experienced and qualified attorney is one way to ensure people do not settle for less than they deserve.
Making a Case with a Personal Injury Lawyer
When speaking to a car accident lawyer in Bowling Green, OH they are likely to tell clients to gather any information relevant to their accident. Things they may not even remember right away, or things that seemed insignificant at the time can make all the difference in a case. The following tips may be useful for those who find themselves in an accident:
- Obtain medical records. Not only is seeking immediate medical attention important to the individual’s health, the records are an indication that their injuries are real, and not simply an act to get money.They can also help prove the extent, the severity and the financial cost of the injury.
- Take photos. If safely able to do so, using any camera available can help paint a clear picture of the accident to an attorney.Photograph the injuries, road signs, the weather conditions, and anything that may have contributed to or been impacted by the collision.
- Talk to witnesses. The more people who can corroborate the claimant’s version of events, the better.Insurance claims adjusters are paid to offer as little money as possible. It is important that credibility remains airtight.
Contact a Bowling Green Car Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Bowling Green, it is important that you speak to a legal professional as early as possible.
With attentiveness, patience, and tenacity, we will listen to your story, gather the evidence and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our Bowling Green, OH car accident lawyers today.
