The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) investigates tens of thousands of motor vehicle accidents every year. These accidents leave drivers and passengers facing serious injuries and property damage. If you were one of the many people hurt in an accident in Springfield, you could be eligible to get compensation for your losses.
A Springfield car accident lawyer may be able to step in to handle your claim right now. Find out how to get legal help in your corner by contacting the Fitch Law Firm. We can assess your situation right now; just call us at (937) 247-6521.
Car Accidents in Ohio by the Numbers
There were more than 64,000 investigated car accidents by the OSHP in 2019. Most of those accidents (45,452) only resulted in property damage. However, many of these accidents also resulted in injuries. The OHSP suspected that there were:
- Serious injuries in 1,868 accidents
- Minor injuries in 10,686 accidents
There were also a reported 505 fatalities in crashes throughout Ohio in 2019. As you can see, car accidents in Springfield and the surrounding areas may have very serious results. You may get help recovering compensation after one of these accidents by contacting the Fitch Law Firm.
Steps To Take After a Springfield Car Accident
If you were involved in a car accident in Springfield, there are a number of steps you should take right away. Before you even leave the scene of your accident, you should:
- Report the accident to the police
- Take pictures of your injuries and the damage to your vehicle
- Get contact information from witnesses and the driver who struck you
Once you take these steps, you need to determine if you suffered injuries in the accident. If you sustained injuries, it is important that you seek medical attention. Getting help soon after may demonstrate that your injuries were a result of the car accident in Springfield.
Finally, it may be in your interest to reach out to a Springfield car accident lawyer after your collision. A lawyer may begin working on your claim right away after a collision with another driver. Start getting legal help on your side now with a free case review. Call the Fitch Law Firm at (937) 247-6521.
Types of Car Accidents in Springfield
There are several types of car accidents that you could experience in the Springfield area. You may want to get legal help on your side if you were involved in a:
Head-On Collision
A head-on collision occurs when two vehicles strike one another while driving in opposite directions. These accidents may occur in an intersection or on a straight-away if a driver crosses the centerline. They often result in serious injuries.
Rear-End Collision
You may end up in a rear-end collision if another driver strikes you from behind. Drivers who are not paying attention at stop-signs or red-lights may cause rear-end collisions in the Springfield area.
Side-Impact Collision
You may hear side-impact collisions called T-bone collisions in some situations. These collisions occur if a driver hits another vehicle on the side. They often take place in intersections, or when a driver makes an improper left turn.
Injuries Associated With Springfield Car Accidents
Car accidents often leave individuals with serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment. You may require medical care if you are in a car accident and have:
- Fractures or broken bones
- Head, brain, neck, or back injuries
- Damage to your internal organs
- Cuts, burns, or abrasions
In many cases, we recommend that you get medical treatment as soon as possible after your accident. Waiting to get medical care may allow insurance agents to claim that the accident did not cause your injuries. This tactic may allow them to deny compensation for your:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Surgical procedures and medical tests
- Medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
You may work with a Springfield car accident lawyer to focus on getting compensation for all of these losses. A lawyer may also help secure damages for your lost wages at work, vehicle repair costs, pain, and suffering.
Note that it is important for you to keep records of all the losses you experienced after a car accident. Make sure you keep your medical records and any bills you receive from the hospital. In many cases, you may be unable to resolve your claim until you know how much you lost as a result of a collision.
Liability for Springfield Car Accidents
In order to get compensation after a collision with another driver, you must be able to show that the other driver caused your accident, which may require your lawyer to investigate the facts about what happened in your collision.
A lawyer may be able to speak with any of the witnesses who saw the collision in order to determine what happened. Your lawyer could also require your police report and may even work with accident reconstruction specialists.
Taking these steps may allow your lawyer to build a strong claim for you. Note that Ohio is a comparative negligence state, Ohio Revised Code § 2315.33, which means that your compensation may be reduced by the percentage you share in the responsibility for the collision.
Your lawyer may work to show that you were not at-fault for a car accident. After gathering information about your case, your lawyer may begin negotiating with insurance agents on your behalf. In many cases, this could result in your lawyer securing you a settlement offer to cover your losses, even without a courtroom battle.
However, there are times when a lawyer may advise you to file a lawsuit against the driver who struck you. Find out more about the best way to handle your car accident in Springfield by contacting the Fitch Law Firm.
Get in Touch With a Springfield Car Accident Lawyer
You may be able to get help securing compensation after a motor vehicle collision with the Fitch Law Firm. A Springfield car accident lawyer could be able to begin working on your claim now. Find out more by calling (937) 247-6521 or completing our online contact form.
Reach out to us for a legal consultation regarding your case.