At HMW Law – Ohio Trial Attorneys, our car accident lawyers in Strongsville help injured people pursue compensation when another driver’s negligence causes a crash. Since 2002, our firm has represented Ohio clients with a focused approach, responsive communication, and more than 60 years of combined legal experience.
We represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and others injured in rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, distracted-driving accidents, impaired-driving collisions, hit-and-run crashes, and other preventable wrecks. We carefully select the cases we accept so we can give each client focused attention throughout the claim.
If you were injured in a collision, contact us for a free consultation with a Strongsville personal injury lawyer.
How Fault is Determined in an Ohio Car Accident Claim
A car accident claim generally requires evidence that another person failed to use reasonable care and that their conduct caused your injuries and losses. Traffic violations, distracted driving, impaired driving, unsafe lane changes, and failure to yield can all support a finding of negligence.
Evidence may include:
- Police crash reports.
- Photographs and videos.
- Witness statements.
- Traffic or business surveillance footage.
- Vehicle data.
- Medical records.
- Repair records and damage photographs.
- Testimony from qualified professionals when needed.
Ohio also follows a modified comparative fault rule. You can generally recover compensation if your share of fault is 50% or less, but your recovery is reduced according to your percentage of responsibility. If you are more than 50% at fault, Ohio law bars recovery.
Our car accident attorneys in Strongsville examine the evidence closely when an insurer tries to place some or all of the blame on you.
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Strongsville, call 216-774-0000
Common Causes of Strongsville Car Accidents
Most crashes are preventable. Identifying what the other driver did before the collision can help establish liability and determine what evidence should be preserved.
Common causes include:
- Texting or other distracted driving.
- Speeding or driving too fast for weather and traffic conditions.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Following another vehicle too closely.
- Running red lights or stop signs.
- Failing to yield while turning or entering traffic.
- Making unsafe lane changes.
- Driving while fatigued.
A lawyer can investigate the circumstances rather than relying only on the insurer’s version of events.
Strongsville Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 216-774-0000
Compensation in an Ohio Car Accident Claim
The compensation available depends on the facts of the collision, the severity of your injuries, available insurance, and the losses you can prove.
Depending on your circumstances, a claim may include compensation for:
- Emergency treatment and hospital bills.
- Doctor visits, therapy, medication, and rehabilitation.
- Reasonably anticipated future medical care.
- Lost wages.
- Loss of future earning capacity.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Vehicle damage and other property losses.
- Other documented expenses caused by the collision.
Our Strongsville car accident lawyers review both current losses and reasonably anticipated future losses before evaluating a settlement offer.
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Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims in Ohio
Not every driver who causes a serious crash has enough insurance to pay for the resulting injuries. Some drivers have no liability coverage at all.
Ohio automobile policies may include uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, or both. Ohio law does not require insurers to include this coverage, so whether it is available depends on the applicable policy.
We can review your policy and any other potentially applicable coverage to determine which insurance claims may be available.
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When Our Strongsville Car Accident Lawyers May File a Lawsuit
Many car accident claims settle without a trial. Filing a lawsuit may become appropriate when liability remains disputed, an insurer undervalues the claim, or settlement negotiations do not produce an acceptable result.
Litigation creates formal procedures for obtaining evidence and questioning witnesses. Settlement discussions can continue while a lawsuit is pending.
What Happens During Car Accident Litigation?
Depending on the case, litigation may involve:
- Written discovery.
- Requests for records and other evidence.
- Depositions of parties and witnesses.
- Medical examinations when permitted by the court.
- Pretrial motions and hearings.
- Settlement conferences or mediation.
- Trial preparation and trial.
Our legal team will explain each stage and prepare you for what comes next.
Wrongful Death Claims After Fatal Car Accidents
When a person dies because of another driver’s wrongful conduct or negligence, Ohio law allows a wrongful-death action to be brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate for the benefit of eligible family members and other qualifying beneficiaries.
Wrongful-death compensation may include:
- Loss of the deceased person’s expected financial support.
- Loss of services.
- Loss of companionship, care, guidance, and other forms of society recognized by Ohio law.
- Loss of prospective inheritance.
- Mental anguish suffered by qualifying beneficiaries.
- Reasonable funeral and burial expenses.
Separate survival claims may also be available to the estate for losses the deceased person sustained between the injury and death, depending on the circumstances.
We understand the care these cases require. Our role is to handle the legal work with compassion while pursuing accountability from those responsible.
How HMW Law Handles Car Accident Claims
We do not treat every injury claim the same. We begin by examining how the crash occurred, the available evidence, your medical treatment, and any applicable insurance policies.
Our work may include:
- Investigating the collision.
- Preserving photographs, video, records, and witness information.
- Reviewing police and medical records.
- Documenting lost income and other financial losses.
- Evaluating insurance coverage.
- Working with appropriate outside professionals when their analysis can support the claim.
- Preparing and presenting a settlement demand.
- Filing a lawsuit when litigation is warranted.
We also keep you informed about what is happening with your case. Clear communication is part of how we work, not something you should have to repeatedly request.
Ohio Car Accident Filing Deadlines
Ohio generally gives an injured person two years to file a lawsuit for bodily injury arising from a car accident. The deadline typically begins on the date the injury occurs, although exceptions can affect how a filing period is calculated.
Ohio wrongful-death actions are also generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations. Different rules can apply in certain circumstances, so you should not assume that the standard deadline applies to every claim.
Talking with a lawyer early gives us more time to identify deadlines and preserve available evidence.
Talk to a Car Accident Attorney in Strongsville
At HMW Law, we keep you informed so you know where your case stands and what decisions are ahead.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a Strongsville car accident attorney. Tell us what happened, and we can discuss your options for pursuing compensation under Ohio law.
Call or text 216-774-0000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form