Justice Through Full Compensation For Car Accident Victims

Of the thousands of automobile accidents that cause injuries and deaths in Ohio every year, many could have been prevented by more attentive and diligent drivers. If you or someone you care about has been involved in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, you are likely caught in a tangle of physical recovery, medical bills, lost wages, missed work and more. It can be hard to fathom how you will get the money to cover all the auto accident-related costs and untangle this mess. Thankfully, there is hope.

At The Stuckey Firm, LLC, assisting clients in Springfield and Columbus, Ohio, as well as in West Virginia, our car accident lawyers have a reputation for aggressively pursuing fair compensation for people like you. This was not your fault, and you should not have to bear the burden of all the bills that have come along with the car crash. Let us help you.

Talk to us for free! Whether you just have a few questions or you’re ready to move forward with a car accident claim, we offer free consultations. Call 937-471-3837 or email us today.

You Should Not Have To Pay When Someone Else Was At Fault

You need a lawyer to explain your rights and fight for full compensation to cover your costs now and in the future. We’ll start working immediately to protect your rights and build your case.

Whenever another driver is at fault for a car accident, they should be responsible for your losses. That means medical bills, lost wages and more. However, insurance companies typically don’t want to pay you what your hardship is worth and will often offer too-low settlements. We are aggressive in pushing them to do the right thing and provide full compensation.

Questions about how car accident claims work? Check out our car crash FAQ or get in touch with us for a free consultation.

A Trial Attorney Fighting For You

With more than a decade of experience, our team will vigorously protect your rights and prosecute your claims against those responsible for causing your damages. If your immediate family member was killed in a motor vehicle accident, we are prepared to bring a wrongful death claim on your behalf. While legal action cannot bring back a loved one, it can secure the benefits that will make life a little bit easier in the aftermath.

Our litigation experience can help you get the compensation you deserve and need. We prepare every case as if for trial, because we will not let you accept an unfair settlement. If we must take your claim before a judge or jury in order to pursue maximum compensation for your motor vehicle accident claim, rest assured we are fierce in the courtroom. Fighting for you is our top concern.

Representation In All Types Of Motor Vehicle Accidents

Our firm represents people in a full range of vehicular accident claims involving:

• Car crashes: Rear-end accidents, sideswipes, T-bone crashes and multicar accidents are all examples of car accident types that have injured our clients. A few may have been unavoidable, such as when the weather suddenly changed, but most could have been prevented.
• Trucking accidents: The most serious truck accidents often involve semis (also called tractor-trailers, big rigs or 18-wheelers) on highways. Crashes involving other types of commercial vehicles, such as delivery trucks and utility vehicles, tend to occur in town.
• Motorcycle crashes: With motorcyclists unprotected against impact, those who are hit by careless drivers are at risk of life-changing injuries or death.
• Biking accidents: Bicycling is a leisurely pastime for some people and a serious method of commuting for others. We represent people injured on bicycles on city streets, country roads and exercise paths.
• Accidents injuring pedestrians: Pedestrian accidents often result in serious, catastrophic and fatal accidents. Many are hit-and-run accidents. Our personal injury firm aggressively stands up for injured walkers.
• Bus wrecks: A single incident injuring many passengers of a shuttle bus or any type of bus may trigger just as many legal cases. Each injured person suffers unique losses.
• Train crashes: Our law firm can help Ohio residents who have been injured or lost loved ones in train accidents in the state or elsewhere. An Amtrak derailment, a light-rail transit accident or any type of train crash may require quick legal action to protect one’s rights to bring a claim.
• Boat collisions: A boat operator who is under the influence of alcohol can be cited for driving while intoxicated just as the driver of a car or truck can. Impaired boaters’ negligence is often the cause of boating accidents.

Common Car Crash Causes And Injuries

Common causes of car accidents include drunk driving, distracted driving, texting while driving and traffic violations, such as speeding.

When negligence is proven, people who have been injured and lost loved ones may recover badly needed compensation through claims and lawsuits. Serious injuries and fatalities from motor vehicle collisions are common. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and burns are injuries that are more likely to lead to additional medical issues down the road.

If you have been injured or someone has died due to the negligence of another, it is critical that you seek the counsel of an experienced attorney immediately. You deserve to be compensated for all you’ve been through. We can help. We have a reputation for personalized and compassionate service. While you focus on your physical recovery, we are here to help you recover compensation for medical care, lost wage replacement, and acknowledgment of your pain and suffering.

Timeline Of A Car Accident Claim

Protecting your rights as an injured victim depends on the steps you take after the accident. We share below a timeline of what the claim process looks like, so you can learn what to expect and how a skilled attorney can help you.

The Immediate Aftermath

The health and welfare of you and your loved ones are always the priority. Immediately after a car accident, get to a safe place and call 911 if you are able to do so. Also, document all you can by taking pictures and exchanging contact information with the other motorists involved and any other potential witnesses. We also recommend you get medical attention as soon as possible, keep all your medical records and remain cooperative with law enforcement and insurance representatives.

Contacting The Insurance Company

The negligent driver’s insurance company may reach out to you when the policyholder reports the accident to them, or you may need to contact them. You may also want to speak with your own auto insurance provider. When speaking with an insurance adjuster, discuss the auto accident based only on facts. Most importantly, never admit or imply you were at fault for the accident or even say “sorry.” Why? Ohio is an at-fault state, meaning the individual who caused an accident will have to pay damages to the injured victim.

The Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer

Based on the insurance representative’s own research of the car wreck, the insurance company will contact you with a settlement offer. However, it is not your obligation to accept an offer immediately, and you have a right to reject such an offer and negotiate. Damages refer to your medical bills, lost wages and the necessary car repairs. The offer can also include noneconomic damages like pain and suffering. You can consult a knowledgeable personal injury attorney to ensure the settlement is fair.

Negotiations After Rejecting The Initial Settlement

If you reject an offer, it does not mean that the insurance will deny your claim. You can request to talk to a supervisor to further discuss the issue. However, you need fact-based arguments to challenge the initial offer. Your lawyer can help you build your case and discuss and negotiate with the relevant representatives.

Going To Trial And Potential Out-Of-Court Settlements

If you find that the representative does not cooperate, your insurance policy may include specific arbitration procedures if you cannot agree on a settlement. If the damage you experienced is severe, you can also file a civil lawsuit against the party at fault. You have a period of two years from the date of the accident to do so. Most cases are settled outside the court since litigation can be expensive. Remember that you have the right to protect.

Free Car Accident Consultation

Learn how we can help you after a motor vehicle accident. Call our Springfield or Columbus office for a free consultation regarding your car or truck accident anywhere in Ohio. Reach us by phone at 937-471-3837 or contact us online. Our goal is to return every call and email promptly.

Common Questions After A Car Accident

Being in a car accident is a disorienting experience, so we hear a lot of questions at The Stuckey Firm, LLC. Here is a selection of what comes up most frequently. If you are from Springfield, Columbus or the surrounding areas in Ohio or West Virginia, do not hesitate to contact us.

When Is The Right Time To Talk To A Lawyer?

The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better your chances are of receiving the settlement you deserve. When you involve us early in the process, we can preserve critical evidence and information that might otherwise be lost. This may include valuable information from the crash site, assessments of your vehicle and more.

We can also ensure that you receive the proper care for your car accident injury as soon as possible. Not every physician has experience dealing with insurance claims, so we can recommend specialists who will thoroughly examine you and properly prepare the documentation you will need.

How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?

This question is at the forefront of many people’s minds after an accident. The answer may take time to determine and may be affected by factors such as:

• The nature and extent of the injuries and doctor’s prognosis
• Calculations by a professional life care planner after a catastrophic injury
• The causes of the accident and evidence of negligence
• Available resources of the opponent, including insurance coverage limits
• Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), if relevant

A successful outcome should ideally pay your medical bills, replace your lost wages, and compensate you for pain and suffering. Dollar amounts will become apparent as your case progresses and may ultimately be determined at trial.

What Should I Say To The Insurance Company?

Say as little as possible. Never make a recorded statement without consulting with an attorney first. While the circumstances of your car accident may seem straightforward to you, the reality is that insurance companies will likely twist your words and attempt to pin the blame on you, even if it was clearly not your fault. When you work with us, we will go over all the facts and craft an appropriate response together.

Should I Accept An Insurance Settlement Offer?

Never sign anything or cash a check from an insurer before discussing your case with a personal injury lawyer. Once you accept a settlement offer and deposit the money, it is very unlikely that you will be able to go back and ask for more if your medical condition worsens. Your personal injury attorney should educate you to the point that you will be fully informed and ready to accept an offer with confidence or push for a trial.

How Should I Deal With Car Repairs?

Your own auto insurer can typically answer this question. A full-service personal injury law firm can take a load off your mind by helping you solve practical problems associated with your accident. We address this issue for injured clients of Stuckey Firm at no additional charge.

What If I Was A Passenger Injured In A Car Accident?

You may have multiple sources of compensation in this case. You may be able to bring a claim against the driver of the car you were in, as well as a negligent driver of another vehicle. Even if the driver of the car that you were riding in is your own family member, making a claim against that driver may be the best and only way to obtain full compensation for your injuries.

Is It OK To Post About My Accident On Social Media? Start A Crowdfunding Campaign?

You should keep all public information to an absolute minimum after an accident. While this may be difficult, the reality is that insurance companies will do everything they can to use this information against you. They can’t use what they don’t have. Certain initiatives may be appropriate depending on the circumstances, but we can help you tailor your public communications so as not to jeopardize your chances for fair compensation. In the long run, that is what matters most.

What Is The Car Accident Insurance Claim Process?

Once you file an insurance claim for your accident, an insurance adjuster will review the total damages of your injuries, including property damage and lost income. Once they have reviewed the damages, they will provide you with a settlement offer to cover the costs. Depending on whether or not the initial offer is a fair one that accurately reflects the cost of your injuries, there may be other steps involving you and your attorney.

Can I Still Pursue A Car Accident Claim If I Was Partly At Fault?

Ohio uses the “modified comparative negligence” rule, which allows the victim of an accident to pursue compensation as long as they were less than 50% responsible for the accident. The compensation the victim receives will also be reduced by the amount of liability they share in the accident.

Can I Negotiate A Car Accident Settlement Offer?

You have the right to negotiate a settlement offer that accurately reflects the total cost of your injuries. Your lawyer can help you identify this value and negotiate on your behalf to earn the compensation you deserve. The representation of a skilled attorney can make the difference between getting the minimum compensation and the money you need to make ends meet.

Can I Say No To A Car Accident Settlement Offer?

You have the right to deny an insurance offer, even if the insurance agent is pressuring you to accept it. In fact, you should not accept any offer without reviewing it with a skilled personal injury attorney beforehand. Insurance companies often know if they are trying to stick you with a lowball offer, so do not be intimidated by their tactics, and do not be afraid to act in your best interests.

I Have More Questions. May I Talk Them Over With You?

Yes. We offer free consultations to all potential clients. Please use our online form to get in touch, or else call our office: 937-471-3837.