Were you hurt in a car crash in Westlake, Ohio? If another driver’s negligence caused your wreck, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and other losses. The Westlake car accident lawyers at Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers can help you seek accountability and financial relief. Call (419) 502-5821 for a free consultation.
We have over 180 years of combined experience handling car accident cases. We’ve recovered more than $100 million for clients across Ohio. We know how to get you the answers and compensation you need to move forward. Reach out to our Westlake personal injury attorneys when you are ready to learn more about your rights.
Why Choose Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers After a Car Accident in Westlake, OH?
Car accidents can upend your life both physically and financially. To make matters worse, the insurance company will try to break you down by undervaluing your damages or even blaming you for the accident. An experienced Westlake car accident attorney can help you level the playing field.
Clients choose Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers because we offer:
- Over a century of combined legal experience handling complex car accident and personal injury cases
- Tens of millions recovered for injured clients across Ohio
- Recognition from respected legal organizations like Super Lawyers, Multi-Million Dollar
- Client satisfaction backed by hundreds of 5-star reviews on Google
- Direct access to your legal team and clear communication throughout your case
- Local knowledge of the relevant courts, judges, and defense attorneys in Westlake, OH
- Contingency fee arrangements with no up-front fees
Contact our office today to arrange a free case review with a Westlake personal injury lawyer. We’re here to help you set things right after your car accident.
How Much Is My Westlake Car Accident Case Worth?
There is no standard value for a car accident claim. The amount of compensation you can recover depends on the specific facts of your case. That’s a positive—your case should be based on your unique injuries, not an algorithm or similar case.
Factors that often influence the value of a Westlake car accident case include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether you require ongoing treatment or future surgery
- The length of time you are unable to work
- Permanent impairments or long-term limitations
- Your pain and emotional distress
- Damage to or loss of your vehicle
- Available insurance coverage
- Whether you are being blamed for your accident
- The strength of the evidence in your case
Insurance companies often make early offers that fail to account for many of these factors. Before accepting any settlement, it is critical to consult an experienced lawyer to help you understand the true value of your claim. Having strong legal representation can help you recover the full value of your losses after a wreck.
At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, we conduct a detailed evaluation of every case. When appropriate, we work with experts in multiple disciplines to ensure your damages are fully documented and accurately valued.
What Kinds of Compensation Can I Recover After a Car Accident in Ohio?
Ohio follows a fault-based system for car accidents. This means the driver who caused the crash is generally responsible for the resulting damages. After an accident, you may pursue compensation by filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or, if necessary, by filing a lawsuit.
Ohio law allows car accident victims to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. These damages are intended to address the full range of monetary and non-monetary losses you’ve experienced.
Depending on your case, your compensation award may include money for:
- Past medical bills related to the accident
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages while you recover
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Funeral expenses and loss of support (wrongful death cases)
In rare cases, punitive damages may be available. These damages punish the at-fault party for extreme misconduct like drunk driving. However, they are only available in select claims. Our experienced attorneys can help you identify all the damages available in your case once they learn more about what happened.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Westlake Car Accident Lawyer?
Most car accident claims feature contingency fee arrangements. This means you do not pay any upfront costs, retainers, or hourly legal fees to hire an attorney. Rather, your attorney advances the expenses necessary to build your case, such as obtaining medical records, consulting with experts, and filing court documents.
Beyond this, you only pay attorney fees if your lawyer recovers compensation for you. Their fees are merely a percentage of your award, pre-agreed upon at the start of your case. The exact percentage usually varies depending on case complexity, attorney experience, and other factors.
This fee structure allows injured individuals to pursue justice without adding financial strain during an already stressful time. Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers offers contingency fees and free consultations to all personal injury clients.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Car Accident in Ohio?
It is possible because Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this system, you can typically recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% at fault for the accident (i.e., only partly at fault). However, your total recovery will generally be reduced by the percentage of responsibility you bear.
For example, if your damages total $200,000 and you are found 25% at fault, your recovery would likely be reduced to $150,000. If you are found more than 50% responsible, you usually cannot recover compensation in court.
Insurance companies often use this rule to try to limit what they owe, even when liability is clear. Our attorneys challenge unsupported allegations of blame and demonstrate that the other driver’s negligence caused your injuries.
What Causes Most Car Accidents in Westlake?
Many car accidents are caused by preventable driver errors. In other words, the majority of collisions are due to negligence.
In Westlake, common causes of motor vehicle crashes include:
- Distracted driving, including texting or phone use
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Unsafe lane changes
- Following too closely
- Driver fatigue
- Poor road conditions or weather hazards
Many crashes involve multiple contributing factors. Identifying each cause helps establish if there are multiple liable parties in your case (unlocking additional sources of compensation) or whether you are limited to seeking damages from one defendant.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Westlake, OH
Car accidents can cause all types of injuries, from minor scrapes and bruises to catastrophic injuries.
Our law firm regularly represents clients suffering from injuries such as:
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal organ injuries
- Severe burns
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Wrongful death
The most serious accidents result in multiple injuries throughout the body. If you suffered one of these injuries, you have the right to demand compensation through a personal injury claim. An injury claim can’t take you back to life before the accident, but it can help you get the medical treatment and resources you need to heal and move forward.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Ohio?
Ohio law generally gives car accident victims two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members typically have two years from the date of death to bring a claim.
If you miss the applicable deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation through the courts. Exceptions can apply in limited situations. It is best to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident to protect your claim.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Westlake?
The steps you take after a crash can significantly affect your health and your ability to recover compensation.
After a car accident, you should take the following actions:
- Call 911 and report the crash
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Exchange contact and insurance information with all drivers involved
- Take photographs of the scene, vehicles, injuries, and road conditions
- Collect contact information from witnesses, if possible
- Avoid admitting fault or speculating about the cause of the crash
- Decline recorded statements to insurance companies without legal advice
Finally, you should contact an experienced car accident lawyer to help you understand your rights and legal options. A skilled attorney will help you navigate your claim and protect you from mistakes that could hurt your chances of obtaining compensation.
Contact a Westlake Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Westlake, Ohio, you have legal rights. You deserve an advocate who can be your voice during this difficult time. Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers is here to pursue the full compensation you deserve after a motor vehicle crash.
Call today to schedule your free consultation with a Westlake car accident lawyer. There is no cost to speak with us.