DUBLIN, OHIO CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

AFTER BEING INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT, YOUR MAIN CONCERN SHOULD BE GETTING BETTER. WE ARE HERE TO ENSURE THAT HAPPENS.

A car accident can be extremely taxing on your physical and mental health. The insurance company doesn’t believe you about your injuries, and you can’t focus on actually recovering because of the stacking medical bills. The good news is you don’t have to deal with it all alone.

The personal injury attorneys at DuPont & Blumenstiel in Dublin, Ohio are highly experienced in representing auto accident victims and understand the stress and anxiety a collision can cause. They are proud to advocate for your well-being in times of injury, and after.

You deserve to be fully compensated for the injuries you sustained and the impact those injures have on you and your loved ones. Tell us your story and allow us to work on your behalf so you can avoid expending a substantial amount of time, effort, and aggravation dealing with insurance companies.

START WITH THIS – DO YOU REALLY NEED A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER?

A common question people have after an automobile accident is whether or not they need to hire an attorney. It’s true that some minor car accidents can be settled without a lawyer. However, it is usually in your best interest to contact an attorney before you sign any insurance documents or even speak with an insurance adjuster at all. This is because the insurance company is not on your side. They aren’t even required to inform you of your rights. Their job is to give you as little money as they possibly can and have you sign away your rights to seek additional compensation. The experienced car accident attorneys at DuPont & Blumenstiel know the tactics of insurance companies and can help you reach a fair settlement. Our team will protect your rights, maximize your recovery, and advocate for your claims fully.

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON CAR ACCIDENT CLAIMS IN OHIO

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident in Ohio, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, insurance companies will pressure you to settle your claim as soon as humanly possible. This is usually before you even know the true extent of your injuries and damages, and what your legal rights are. Insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart. They simply want to give you as little money as possible and close your claim as quickly as they can. This is one of the many reasons why it is important to talk to a skilled and experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

OUR LAWYERS HAVE SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE WITH:

• “Fender benders”

• Rear-end collisions

• “T-Bone” Wrecks

• Uninsured drivers

• Wrongful death suits

• Alcohol and drug-related accidents

• Side swipe accidents

• Rollovers

• Hit-and-runs

• Speeding collisions

• Distracted driving

• Failure to yield accidents

HOW DO AUTO ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS WORK IN OHIO?

It can be an extremely frustrating process to try and get your bills paid, and be fairly compensated for your injuries, after you’ve been in a car accident. The other party’s insurance company likely won’t believe you about your injuries, and the stress of mounting bills can cause anxiety and fear at a time in which you should be focusing on recovering.

Fortunately, an experienced personal injury attorney can advocate for your well-being and take care of the claims process for you. You deserve to be fully compensated for the injuries you sustained, and the impact those injuries have had on you and your loved ones.

ESTABLISHING LIABILITY

One of the first things we must prove in order to obtain compensation for your injuries is that someone else is legally responsible for causing the accident. This establishes liability for the responsible party.

But, how does one establish liability? That can be a tricky question, as proving liability is dependent upon how the accident happened. Sometimes proving liability is easy, such as when someone rear ends another person. However, there are some circumstances in which proving liability is very complicated. For example, sometimes car accidents occur at an intersection involving traffic lights. Occasionally, there is a dispute as to which vehicle had the green light. Under such circumstances, a significant amount of fact gathering from witnesses to the accident will be required. Having an experienced personal injury attorney represent you on these matters will maximize the chances you’re able to prove legal liability of the person who caused your injuries.

PROVING DAMAGES

After liability is established, we will need to prove exactly what injuries you sustained. This will often require you to submit medical records to the insurance company demonstrating what treatment you received for your injuries. We will also need to prove that the injuries you sustained were, in fact, caused by the accident and not a pre-existing condition.

After we have submitted all documentation supporting your claim, we will then discuss what you are entitled to receive compensation for. You may be entitled to compensation for many things, including...

• Damage done to your vehicle

• Past and future medical bills

• Past and future lost wages

• Out-of-pocket expenses

• Physical pain

• Mental suffering

• The negative impact your injuries have had on your relationships with the people you love

You will need to provide evidence of your claims to receive compensation. Records commonly used as evidence in auto accident claims include...

• Photographs of damage to your vehicle

• Pre- and post-accident medical records

• Medical bills

• Lost wage documentation

• Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses

• Photographs of physical injuries

• Proof of outstanding bills relating to the accident

In some instances, you may also need a letter from a treating physician to describe the injuries you sustained in the accident and the medical treatment required for those injuries. Some complex cases will also require expert testimony from medical experts. The experienced personal injury attorneys at DuPont & Blumenstiel have access to experts that can be called upon to testify on your case.

DEMANDS AND NEGOTIATIONS

Once all evidence is gathered, we draft a demand demonstrating the other person is liable for causing the accident. The demand also summarizes our client’s relevant medical treatment and bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, and pain and suffering. A total dollar amount is given as a request for compensation. When complete and approved by the client, the demand is submitted to the insurance adjuster (or defense attorney) and the negotiations process begins. The negotiations process can be lengthy, but we have developed processes and procedures to shorten the amount of time it takes for you to get paid. After the negotiations process has begun, the insurance adjuster or defense attorney will review the evidence and decide how much they believe you should receive. Don’t be alarmed if they respond with an extremely low offer initially. It is common for insurance companies to do this. Since you most likely won’t be offered the original amount you requested, we will need to lower the demand to keep the negotiations going. This process of going back and forth with offers and demands can take some time, but we won’t settle until we receive a fair and acceptable offer that can bring you and your loved ones peace of mind.

Sometimes, an agreement cannot be made, and a settlement cannot be reached. Under those circumstances, your case will need to be presented to a jury to receive compensation. The jury will decide how much compensation you should receive. Our team will be by your side throughout the entire process. We will prepare you for trial and relay your story effectively to each juror in a way they can understand and appreciate. We are confident that we can convey your case in the best way possible. Call us at 614-389-9711 to schedule a consultation.

BRADEN A. BLUMENSTIEL, OHIO CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER

The law gives Braden a pragmatic way to solve problems using his background in clinical psychology. He is a talented presenter in the courtroom, as he understands how to effectively question witnesses and relay information. He specializes in vaccine injury, personal injury, probate litigation, and business law, and has been recognized for his work by SuperLawyers.