Columbus car crashes happen much more often than they should, on major highways through the city like I-70 and on neighborhood roads. Some deadly motor vehicle collisions even happen in parking lots or when a motorist is pulling out of his or her driveway.

Since nobody expects to get hurt in a car accident, it can be difficult to know what steps you should take after a car accident in Columbus. I often work with plaintiffs who have been injured in collisions caused by someone else’s negligence, and I want to emphasize how essential it is to have an experienced Columbus car accident attorney on your side. Beyond hiring an aggressive lawyer, the following are some of the most important steps to take after a Columbus car crash to preserve your right to compensation.

Document the Scene of the Accident

Take as many photographs at the scene of the accident as possible. I can use these as evidence to support your version of events when we seek a settlement or take your case to court. 

Make Sure to Get Contact Information from Everyone at the Scene 

It is essential to get contact information from everyone at the scene of the crash, from anyone injured to any witnesses. Make sure to also get contact details and license information from the other driver (or drivers) involved in the collision.

See a Doctor as Soon as Possible

Under Ohio’s comparative negligence law, you may not be able to obtain full compensation if you are partially at fault for the accident or the severity of your injuries. Accordingly, you should see a doctor to get assessed and treated as soon as possible. If you wait to seek medical attention, the other side might argue that your damages award should be reduced. 

Let Your Insurance Company Know About the Crash 

You will need to report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. However, be careful about what you say. 

No insurance company is on the side of an injury victim—not your own insurance company, and not the at-fault driver’s insurance company. As such, make sure you do not say anything to the insurance company about who might be at fault when you report your accident to your own insurer. Stick to the objective facts until you have spoken with a car crash lawyer in Columbus.

Begin Working with a Columbus Auto Accident Lawyer to File a Claim

When you call me, we will likely start the process of seeking financial compensation by filing an auto insurance claim. I can help you to determine whether it makes more sense to file a first-party claim through your own insurance company or a third-party claim through the negligent driver’s insurance company. Either way, I will fight tirelessly to get you a strong settlement offer. If we cannot get the settlement offer you deserve, we can move onto filing a car accident lawsuit. Do not wait too long to get in touch. Under Ohio law (Ohio Rev. Code Section 2305.10), you typically have only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.

Contact Me to Get Started on Your Columbus Car Crash Claim 

Careless and reckless drivers cause too many motor vehicle collisions in Columbus, and innocent motorists and their passengers often suffer the consequences. I know how difficult it can be to deal with medical bills and hospital visits, not to mention lost wages due to the inability to work, after a serious car crash in Columbus. I am dedicated to holding drivers responsible for what they do on the road. I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office today at 877.614.9524 to discuss your options for filing a car accident claim.

Accidents Blog