If a driver is responsible for causing a car accident, then the driver is also responsible for his or her passengers and any financial damages they incur. A driver must provide everyone in their car and the occupants of other vehicles on the road with a reasonable duty of care. As a passenger, you could recover compensation for any sustained injuries and the medical bills and other losses that resulted from those injuries.
If you or a loved one was an injured passenger in a car accident, a lawyer could help you pursue the at-fault driver for economic and noneconomic damages. They can help you prove the driver’s financial liability and the value of your case. They can also help you build a convincing case file and manage the negotiation process on your behalf.
Monetary Damages a Lawyer Can Help You Recover
A car accident lawyer can help you document your monetary damages and prove the person who drove negligently caused your injuries in a car crash. Because it can take time for all your damages to become apparent, proving them can be time-consuming and complicated. A personal injury team helps you recover:
- Past and future medical care
- Past and future lost income
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional trauma
- In-home medical support
- Treatment-related travel expenses
While you recuperate, your lawyer can compile proof of all your injury-related costs for you and build a strong case file that leads to the compensation you are entitled to receive due to the at-fault driver’s negligence.
How a Lawyer Can Determine Liability
Per Ohio Revised Code Section 4549.02, you must report and file a car accident report if anyone is injured. That includes any passengers. If the at-fault driver filed a report, a lawyer can obtain a copy for you. It will tell them:
- The factors that contributed to the collision and the possible cause of the accident
- The investigating officer’s notes, diagrams, and any photos or videos
- The date, time, and location of the accident, which helps ensure compliance with the statute of limitations
The statute of limitations defines an essential part of your post-accident timeline. Your lawyer can help ensure your claim meets Ohio’s two-year deadline (general rule – there are exceptions) set by Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10, and your case is never at risk of dismissal.
Your car accident report will also contain contact information for anyone who came forward after witnessing the accident. Their testimony could help your lawyer prove the driver breached their duty to you as a passenger and caused your injuries and financial damages.
You Do Not Have to Seek Compensation Alone
One of the first things your case review team can do is listen to your version of how the accident occurred and the condition of the at-fault driver at the time. They can also start carefully compiling the documents that support your version of events. They could collect, read, and review:
- Medical records
- Medical bills
- Witness statements
- Car accident report
They can also locate and interview witnesses for you and add their statements to your evidence file. Their goal should be to settle your case out of court with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, if the insurer does not make an acceptable offer, your lawyer can take your case to court and keep fighting for the financial compensation you deserve.
Read What Previous Clients Say About Us
The best way to learn about the client service and support a lawyer can provide is by hearing from clients who experienced it. Injured clients who worked with the Fitch Law Firm LLC leave reviews and recommendations like these:
- “I had such a great experience working with Mr. Fitch and his team. They made this process very smooth after being injured in a car accident. I’d highly recommend this firm. They also kept me in the loop and up to date with everything!!!! I’m a very happy client.” – Sara.
Learn more about our process by reading these and other first-hand reviews on our client results page.
Get Your Free Consultation Today
Were you or someone you love injured as a passenger in a car accident? Our car accident team can help you determine if the driver is responsible for compensating their passengers for losses they sustained because of the collision. We can also provide our services on contingency. You pay nothing up front. We only collect our payment when we secure a settlement or award in your favor.
Contact one of our team members at the Fitch Law Firm LLC today by calling (614) 545-3930.