Personal Injury Attorneys in Lima, Ohio

Personal Injury Claims in Ohio

Ohio is an “at-fault” auto accident state. Under the state’s at-fault laws, the person who caused the accident (the at-fault party) will be held civilly and financially liable for medical expenses, property damages, and other accident-related costs suffered by the injured victims.

However, in order to recover damages, the injured person (claimant) must prove negligence or show that the negligent party’s actions caused your injuries. An experienced attorney can evaluate the extent of your injuries, help file your personal injury claims, and attempt to recover the maximum possible compensation.

Modified Comparative Negligence Rule

Furthermore, Ohio follows the modified comparative negligence rule, with a 51% bar. Under the principle, the claimant may be allowed to seek damages if they were partially or equally (50% or less) responsible for the accident or injury. However, the amount of compensation that will be recovered will be reduced by the claimant’s percentage of fault.

For instance, if the court awards $70,000 in total damages against the at-fault party but finds you to be 30% responsible for the accident, your compensation would be reduced by $21,000. You may only be allowed to recover $49,000. According to Ohio’s modified comparative negligence system, you will be barred completely from seeking damages if your negligence is greater than that of the defendant.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Ohio is two years after “the cause of action accrues.” Thus, in order to recover damages, you must commence a personal injury action against the at-fault parties within two years from the date of your injury or accident.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

Additionally, to recover damages for your personal injury, you can proceed by:

• Filing an injury claim against your own insurance carrier.
• Filing a third-party claim against the insurance company of the at-fault party.
• Filing a personal injury lawsuit in civil court against the at-fault party.

A skilled Ohio personal injury attorney can enlighten you about the available damages that you may recover and walk you through the personal injury claims process.

Damages Available

The following damages are available to personal injury victims in Ohio:

• Medical expenses, including the cost of future medical treatment
• Lost wages and benefits
• Reduced earning capacity
• Repair or replacement of damaged property
• Costs of living with a disability
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain, suffering, and disfigurement
• Emotional or mental trauma
• Loss of love, companionship, affection, and comfort provided by the injured person
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages to serve as additional punishment for the at-fault party.
• Wrongful death damages, where applicable

An experienced lawyer can advocate for your legal rights and help you seek your deserved financial compensation.

Work With a Skilled Personal Injury Attorney

Getting injured in any kind of accident can be overwhelming and can affect your financial, physical, and mental health. Nonetheless, you don’t have to suffer the pain and financial liability all by yourself. Therefore, you need to act quickly and hire a highly-skilled personal injury attorney to help protect your legal rights and seek fair financial compensation for your injuries.

At Siferd & Associates, LPA, our attorneys are poised and ready to assist, support, and represent accident victims and their families in their personal injury cases. Using their in-depth understanding of the laws addressing liability in personal injury cases, our skilled legal team can help guide you through the often-complicated legal process.

Above all, we will fight compassionately for your rights and help you seek fair financial compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, other potential damages, or loss. Having our dedicated team on your side can improve your chances of the most favorable outcome in your personal injury lawsuit.