After a car accident, your injuries, damage to your vehicle, and other expenses can cause financial strain. Because of this, recovering damages from the liable party is vital. Unfortunately, securing compensation can be challenging, especially from an uninsured or underinsured driver.
The good news is that a Columbus uninsured/underinsured motorist lawyer can help. At The Stuckey Firm, LLC, our experienced legal team can help you get the money you need.
With over three decades of combined experience, we know what it takes to win these cases and are prepared to use every available resource to help you ensure a favorable outcome. Schedule a free consultation with one of our Columbus car accident lawyers today.
Why Hiring a Columbus Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Attorney Is Critical
After any car accident in which you have suffered damages due to the negligence of another party, hiring an experienced attorney can make all the difference.
The need for knowledgeable legal representation is amplified in cases where the liable party is uninsured or underinsured, as you will need to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover the money you need.
While in other cases, you may be able to pursue the compensation you deserve through an insurance claim, when the at-fault party does not have sufficient insurance coverage, pursuing money from them directly will likely be your only option.
In these cases, attempting to represent yourself is unlikely to result in a favorable outcome.
When you hire a knowledgeable Columbus personal injury lawyer to represent you, they will handle all aspects of your legal case throughout the process.
Having legal representation will allow you to focus your energy on recovering from your injuries, knowing that an experienced professional has everything in hand.
We Are Committed to Holding Negligent Parties Accountable and Putting Your Needs First.
Be Careful to Meet All Deadlines When Filing an Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawsuit
When attempting to recover compensation after an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist, it is critical that you pay attention to all applicable deadlines.
In Ohio, the personal injury statute of limitations is two years. This means you have two years to take legal action or risk losing your right to pursue compensation.
However, it is important to note that exceptions to this deadline exist in some cases that can alter the amount of time you have to take legal action.
Consulting an experienced attorney as soon as possible is the best way to identify the exact deadline that applies to your case and ensure that all the required paperwork is filed accurately and on time.
In addition to avoiding losing your right to pursue legal action because of an unforeseen deadline, hiring a lawyer soon after your accident has the added benefit of putting them in the best position to build a strong case supporting your claim.
By starting early, they can collect evidence before it is lost or corrupted and speak with witnesses while their memories are clear.
Professional. Personable. Proven effective.
Available Damages You Can Obtain Through an Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Accident Lawsuit
After suffering losses in an uninsured/underinsured motorist accident, you will likely be eligible to pursue a variety of damages. Every accident is unique, which means the damages available following a crash vary from case to case. To recover the full value of your claim, you must identify all the damages that apply.
An experienced uninsured/underinsured motorist attorney serving Columbus can help you determine which damages you can claim. The categories of damages that may be available include:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
Economic Damages
These damages cover all of the financial losses you suffered as a result of your accident. Economic damages commonly available following a car accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist include:
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning capacity
- Property damage
- Medical costs
- Future medical bills
Non-Economic Damages
While economic damages focus on the money you spent or failed to earn because of your accident, non-economic damages are awarded to cover more intangible losses that have a profound personal impact.
Non-economic damages commonly available following a car accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist include:
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
Punitive Damages
In contrast to the compensatory damages mentioned above, punitive damages are not used to cover the losses suffered by an accident victim. Instead, the intention when awarding these damages is to punish the liable party for the role they played in causing the accident.
Punitive damages are only available in a small percentage of car accident cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm.
To find out if you qualify to pursue punitive damages, speak with an experienced uninsured/underinsured motorist lawyer in Columbus today.
“Everything he did was over and beyond what we would expect an attorney to do. He made it so that we didn’t have any worries.”.
Client | Auto AccidentAccepting a Settlement Deal Vs. Going to Court
In the majority of uninsured/underinsured motorist accident cases, negotiating a settlement deal is going to be in your best interest. Settlements are common following a car accident as they tend to offer both parties advantages over going to trial.
By avoiding going to court, you will be able to recover the money you need far more quickly than would be possible through a trial. Meanwhile, the plaintiff can save money on the legal fees they would incur by taking the case to trial, which can significantly reduce the impact the accident has on their financial situation.
However, even if you believe your case will settle, it is important to be prepared to go to court. Demonstrating a willingness to take your case to trial will help give you leverage during settlement negotiations.
Furthermore, should the other party be unwilling to agree to fair terms for a settlement, you will be well-positioned to recover the money you need through a lawsuit.
Professional. Personable. Proven effective.
Get Help From an Experienced Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Lawyer Serving Columbus Today
Following an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, one of the best things you can do to help you recover the money you need is to hire an experienced lawyer.
At The Stuckey Firm, LLC, we are dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable and have secured significant compensation for our clients through both settlement and court rulings.
Contact us today by phone or through our website to schedule a free initial case review with a member of our legal team.
Get answers and help on your way, starting today.
