In the aftermath of a car accident, people often get scared and overwhelmed. Unfortunately, auto accidents are rather common in Ohio, but victims don’t get the compensation they deserve. If you (or someone you love) were involved in an accident because of someone’s fault, you could file an injury claim. For that, the first step is to call an Ohio car accident lawyer. Here are some things to discuss with an attorney during the first meeting.
Facts of the case
Your attorney will have a few questions for you, which will guide them in understanding the nature of the accident. Nevertheless, you need to share details like –
- Date, time, and place of the crash
- If you reported/alerted the local law enforcement
- If someone was seriously injured or killed in the accident
- If you suffered serious injuries
- If you called 911 for help
- Whether there was an investigating officer at the scene
- If you were agitated or blamed the other party out of anger
- If you were partly at fault
- If pedestrians were injured
- Whether there were witnesses to the scene
Ohio follows the modified comparative negligence rule. If you had a share in fault (not more than 50%), you could still recover a settlement, but the amount would be considerably lower. While an attorney can make a big difference to the eventual outcome, it is important, to be honest on your part. There is no point in hiding facts because the accident lawyer will eventually investigate the case.
Costs of the case
Car accident lawyers in the state take a contingency fee in most cases. The lawyer gets paid when they win a settlement for the client. You don’t need to pay a lawyer right away, but it would help if you knew the costs of the case in advance. An experienced lawyer will also explain other costs related to litigation and investigation. The attorney’s fee varies on many factors, but experienced accident lawyers can charge a tad more. The contingency charge in Ohio varies from 20% to 40% for accident lawsuits.
Experience of the lawyer
As a client, you should ask about the experience of the attorney. If an accident lawyer has been practicing for years, they will have good reviews and a credible profile. You can also ask about their top cases and settlements along with references.
Always remember that credible and known accident lawyers never over-promise an outcome. They can offer an assessment of the case but cannot predict everything else.
