Question 1

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?

Accepted Answer

Many people think that it could cost thousands to hire a personal injury attorney in Columbus, OH. Many times, because they believe that they are unable to afford an attorney, they will try to handle the case themselves. This could include speaking with the insurance companies, finding medical providers, repairing their car, obtaining a rental car — all while trying to treat and recover from their injuries. When they are not successful with the outcome months later, they wonder what they could have done differently.

Personal injury lawyers in Columbus receive many inquiries from injury victims who are interested in reopening their claim. They thought they could handle their claim on their own and were not satisfied with the result. While there may be an opportunity to appeal, there is no guarantee that this is an option and the damage may already be done.

If you suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, there are no upfront costs to hire an attorney. If you are able to obtain a positive recovery for your case, the lawyer will get a percentage of the recovery for their fee. However, if you do not win your case, then the lawyer does not get anything.

Question 2

How Much of Your Settlement Does Your Personal Injury Attorney Receive?

Accepted Answer

If your case does not go to trial, an injury lawyer will generally receive one-third of your settlement or judgment, or 33%. If your case does go to trial, they’ll receive around 40%. This increase in fees is to cover the costs of trial preparation, including hiring additional experts, preparing exhibits, and the additional time needed.

While these fees may sound like a lot, it is better to have 66% of a recovery as opposed to nothing if you attempted to handle your case yourself. A skilled attorney can prepare the evidence needed, negotiate with medical providers and insurance adjusters, and if necessary, take a case to court.

Question 3

What Happens if You Lose Your Case?

Accepted Answer

If a client does not receive a favorable outcome, the attorney gets nothing. This is a risk that the lawyer takes. This is why attorneys are careful about which cases they will handle — if the attorney feels that the injured victim does not have a realistic chance of winning, then the attorney will not represent them.

Question 4

Do I Need a Lawyer to Represent My Claim?

Accepted Answer

If you or someone you love sustained injuries in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, an experienced personal injury attorney can help answer your questions and walk you through the process. If you suffered significant injuries, the stakes are high. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the tedious personal injury claim process while you focus on your recovery.

Question 5

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

Accepted Answer

A personal injury lawyer will help you every step of the way. They will listen as you explain how you were injured, review the circumstances, help you obtain medical treatment, gather evidence, and guide you through the process. This includes: assisting in finding medical providers, reviewing medical records, identifying lost income and expenses, ensuring court documents are filed correctly, gathering evidence and hiring witnesses, representing you during negotiations, and proposing settlement offers.

Question 6

Is There a Limit on How Much Time Can Pass Before I File a Personal Injury Claim?

Accepted Answer

A statute of limitations is a limited time window on when you can file a personal injury claim. In most states, including Ohio, the statute of limitations to file a claim is two years. If you do not file within this window, you may lose your right to file for compensation.

Question 7

What Types of Damages Can I Collect In a Personal Injury Claim?

Accepted Answer

Filing a personal injury lawsuit allows you to seek compensation including: lost wages and future earnings, medical bills (diagnostic testing, physical therapy, surgery), travel to/from medical providers, vehicle repair or replacement, pain and suffering and emotional suffering, and loss of consortium.

Question 8

What Should I Do After an Accident?

Accepted Answer

Seek medical help immediately, even if you don’t feel pain right away. If not taken by ambulance, obtain witness contact information, exchange insurance details with all parties, take photos of the scene, and write down notes about the time, weather, road conditions, and any distracted driving behaviors you observed.

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