Dayton Car Accident? Our Lawyers Can Help
Since you’re here, you’ve likely been in a car accident and are considering contacting a Dayton car accident attorney.
You’re in the right place.
If you’re curious, you can learn how to get money from a car accident without a lawyer in our short video.
But again, we highly recommend seeking the assistance of a Dayton car accident lawyer if you want to obtain a higher settlement amount.
If you’re ready to talk, contact our office to schedule a free case review.
Ohio Car Accident Statistics
Car accidents are common—we are all likely to get into an accident at some point in our lives. Unfortunately, some people’s car accidents are worse than others.
In 2018, an estimated 36,750 people died in motor vehicle accidents. In Ohio alone, 1,068 people died and thousands more were injured.
If you were injured in a car accident and it was someone else’s fault, you can get compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and more.
It’s the least you deserve, and our Dayton car accident attorney is here to help.
DAYTON CAR ACCIDENT FAQ
Do I Need a Lawyer After an Accident?
Technically, no. But if you want a substantial settlement, you should hire a lawyer. Insurance companies don’t want to give you a large payout—it’s in their best interest to undercut your compensation.
Plus, studies show that people who hire a lawyer receive a significantly larger recovery than those who do it themselves. Even with fees, you will net considerably more with the help of a Dayton car accident lawyer.
Either way, you can learn more about how to get money from a car accident without a lawyer in the video below.
Watch the full video here.
Types of Accidents
With a rise in drunk and distracted driving, there are even more ways to get in car, truck, motorcycle, bike, or pedestrian accidents.
Most commonly, we see the following types of accidents:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Drunk driving accidents
- Distracted driving accidents (texting, fiddling with objects in a vehicle, etc.)
- Fatigued driver accidents
- Hit-and-Runs
Regardless of the type of accident, we are here to help.
DAYTON CAR ACCIDENT FAQ
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
The moments after your car accident are crucial for your case—the evidence you gather at the scene of the accident is invaluable.
That being said, take care of yours and other people’s injuries first. Your health is what matters most.
If you or someone else is able, do the following things after a car accident.
1. Call 911
Get help immediately. Medical attention is #1. The medical records are also helpful when building your case. If you can, visit the hospital after the police arrive at the scene.
2. Call the police
An officer will assess the scene and file a police report. A police report (or accident report) has information like the date, time, location of the crash, and the identities of the people involved in the accident.
Keep in mind that an accident report is important evidence for your case.
3. Identify witnesses
Did anyone see the crash? Get their names and contact information since your attorney may contact them.
4. Take photos
Get footage of the scene—photographs help build your case.
5. Don’t make statements about the crash
After a crash, most people are anxious and in shock. Because victims are disoriented or scared, they can say things that they regret. Unfortunately, insurance companies use your statements against you.
Avoid speaking to anyone without a lawyer present.
6. Contact a lawyer
Find a lawyer as soon as possible. Lawyers handle all the busy work of a claim and get you the most money from the insurance company so you can focus on recovery.
DAYTON CAR ACCIDENT FAQ
What Can I Get Compensated for After a Car Accident?
A top-rate settlement should cover the following:
- Medical bills
- Physical injuries, disfigurements, and disabilities
- Pain and suffering (emotional damages)
- Lost wages and future wages
- Loss of companionship
- Property damage and loss
To receive money for these things, you will need to prove them.
Lawyers gather all this evidence for you so you can focus on healing and getting your life back together after an accident.
CAR ACCIDENT IN DAYTON OHIO FAQ
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Car Accident?
To get compensated for your car accident, you need to file your claim with a certain period of time called the statute of limitations.
According to the Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10:
“An action based on a product liability claim and an action for bodily injury or injuring personal property shall be brought within two years after the cause of action accrues.”
Essentially, for personal injury claims of all types, the statute of limitations in Ohio is two years from the date of your legal claim, which is the reason you have to file a lawsuit.
In some cases, the severity of your injuries may not be apparent on the date of the accident.
Ohio’s personal injury statute of limitations leaves room for these types of injuries and damages.
Keep in mind that the statute of limitations is a strict cutoff.
If you don’t begin the legal process within these two years, you most likely won’t be able to get compensated for your accident.
It’s best not to wait. If you think that you have a case, you can discuss the details with us during a free, no-commitment consultation.
CAR ACCIDENT IN DAYTON OHIO FAQ
Do I Have a Strong Car Accident Claim?
A few things help build your case for compensation.
Records
Collect every medical bill, all police reports, and as many witness statements as possible.
A paper trail is hard-proof that’s difficult for the insurance company to dispute.
Photos
Take as many photos as possible from the scene of the accident and of your injuries.
This type of evidence is great for building your case.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
See a doctor as soon as possible after the accident and follow their treatment plan.
If you don’t, you could lose money—the insurance company will contest how injured you actually are.
Don’t Speak to the Insurance Company Without a Lawyer
Insurance company employees are trained to poke holes in your statements.
A car accident attorney will make sure that you don’t say anything that’s against your best interests.
These are only a few of the things that you need to build your case. A Dayton car accident attorney knows how to build the strongest case possible.
From consulting expert witnesses, using diagrams, and pursuing all possible evidence, car accident lawyers will secure the highest possible settlement.
CAR ACCIDENT IN DAYTON OHIO FAQ
Is Ohio a No-Fault Insurance State?
No, Ohio is not a no-fault insurance state.
Instead, since Ohio is a Tort state, Ohio drivers are covered by liability insurance. This means that the responsible driver has to pay for a victim’s medical expenses.
However, keep in mind that your compensation is reduced by the percentage that you were at fault.
Insurance Minimums
Everyone in Ohio is required to have a minimum amount of auto insurance.
In Ohio, these minimum amounts are:
- $25,000 for the injury or death of one person,
- $50,000 for the injury or death of two or more people, and
- $25,000 for property damage in an accident.
In severe accidents, these minimums aren’t enough to cover all your damages.
A Dayton car accident attorney helps you pursue all compensation, which can mean pursuing the responsible party’s personal finances.
How Much Will a Dayton Car Accident Lawyer Charge?
At Gounaris Abboud, you don’t pay a dime until we recover compensation for you. After we secure your settlement, we charge a percentage of the total.
If you consult with another lawyer and they charge you per hour, run the other way. This is how they maximize their payment. If they charge hourly, they also aren’t as motivated to secure the highest settlement possible.
Our car accident attorneys offer free consultations. To learn more about our personal injury practice and how we have secured millions of dollars for our clients, call us or fill out an online form today.
Some car accidents are simply unavoidable. Most, however, are the direct result of the negligence of one of the drivers.
What is meant by “negligence?”
This word is manifested through any type of driving behavior that can result in unnecessary accidents, including:
- Driving recklessly
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Texting
- Checking email
- Any action on a cell phone
- Drunk driving
In general, negligent driving is any type of action-or failure to act-which constitutes a failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid causing an accident.
If you have reason to believe that your accident should have been prevented and that the other driver is at fault, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation by filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
Our Dayton car accident attorney wants to help you recover full compensation for all your losses, including your expenses for medical care, your lost income now and in the future, and damages for your pain and suffering.
This may be a highly stressful experience for you and your family, but we are on your side and are ready to stand by you throughout the process of claiming a settlement.
Useful Information for Car Accident Claims
- How to Calculate Pain and Suffering After a Car Accident in Ohio
- Ohio Reckless Driving Overview
- Is Ohio a No-Fault State?
- How to Get Money from a Car Accident Without a Lawyer
- What to Do Following a Car Accident
Contact Gounaris Abboud’s Dayton Car Accident Attorneys Today
Contact our firm to discuss your car accident today. During a free consultation, we’ll discuss the specifics of your case and come up with a strategy together.
What our clients say…
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“They both put their heart into their work and care like nobody else I have ever encountered in the legal system.”
Karis F.
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✓ Our firm has won millions of dollars for our clients.
✓ You don’t pay a dime until we secure compensation.
✓ We have hundreds of 5 star reviews.
✓ We offer free consultations where our Dayton car accident lawyers personally assess your case.
✓ Studies show that people who hire a lawyer receive a significantly larger recovery than those who do it themselves.