After a major accident, injured victims often face a long road to recovery. You may be dealing with medical bills that are starting to pile up and paychecks that have been lost. On top of it all, you may also endure physical pain and emotional distress after the traumatic experience.
At Groth & Associates, our personal injury lawyers in Toledo, OH, stand up for justice. We hold negligent defendants and insurance companies accountable. With 100 combined years of experience representing our clients, we know how to file a winning claim.
If you or your family member was severely injured in an accident in Northwest Ohio or Southern Michigan, you need a compassionate attorney on your side. To set up a free, no-obligation case evaluation, please call our Toledo law office right away.
Who is Liable for a Personal Injury?
In Ohio, personal injury cases are based on the concept of negligence. This happens when someone acts carelessly or fails to act responsibly in a situation where a reasonable person would have acted differently.
If someone’s actions or inactions harm someone else, they can be held responsible. This accountability may come through filing a claim with their insurance company or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
If the negligence of another party led to your injuries, they can be held liable for your damages. The liable party may be an individual, a business, a medical professional, or any other person or entity that contributed to your accident.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Toledo, call (419) 930-3030
Our Local Personal Injury Lawyers in Toledo Handle the Full Range of Claims
Personal injury claims come in a wide variety of forms. Our law firm handles the complete range of injury and accident cases. No matter the nature, cause, or severity of your injuries, we are prepared to take action to protect your legal rights and financial interests.
Our diverse team of Toledo personal injury lawyers handles a wide range of cases, which include:
- Toledo car accident lawyers: If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision in Ohio, our skilled Toledo car accident attorneys will help you navigate the claims process.
- Toledo truck accident lawyers: Commercial trucking drivers are required to safely operate their large vehicles. Unfortunately, truck accidents are still a significant issue, often due to trucking companies prioritizing profits over safety.
- Toledo motorcycle accident lawyers: Motorcyclists face heightened risks due to their exposure to the elements, human error, and road conditions. In the event of a crash, bikers are at a high risk of catastrophic injuries.
- Toledo bicycle accident lawyers: A moment’s lack of attention can have life-changing consequences. Bicycle accidents can lead to severe injuries, especially when hit by a car, as the cyclist has less protection than the driver.
- Toledo medical malpractice lawyers: Ohio medical malpractice laws allow for holding negligent healthcare providers accountable for harm caused to patients. Our lawyers handle various types of medical negligence claims, from misdiagnoses to surgical errors.
- Toledo construction accident lawyers: A construction accident includes any incident that occurs on a construction site and results in injury or harm to workers, visitors, or bystanders.
- Toledo workers’ compensation lawyers: Every employee deserves a safe and fair working environment. If you or a family member was injured on the job, workers’ compensation benefits are available.
- Toledo wrongful death lawyers: If a loved one has died due to someone else’s negligence, you may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. While no amount of money will replace the loss of a loved one, the compensation you receive is a valuable source of financial support during this difficult time.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030
Available Compensation to Accident Victims
Insurance companies will attempt to either deny your claim or settle it quickly for as little as possible to save themselves money. Often, a settlement will be offered before you have had a chance to make a complete recovery when the long-term ramifications of your injury are still unknown.
Under Section 2307.011 of the Ohio Revised Code, you may be entitled to the following types of compensation:
- Medical expenses and the cost of ongoing care
- Lost wages and future losses in income and benefits
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish caused by your injuries
- Compensation for intangible losses, such as loss of enjoyment in life and loss of companionship with family and friends
An experienced personal injury attorney in Toledo will defend your rights and protect your interests. When a reasonable settlement cannot be reached with the insurance company, your interests may be better served by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Toledo Will Help You After an Accident
Navigating the personal injury claims process is difficult. At Groth & Associates, we assist plaintiffs with every aspect of a personal injury case. Our attorneys have extensive experience with insurance companies. Regardless of the nature of your accident, we are ready to help you move forward.
Among other things, our Toledo, OH, personal injury lawyers will:
- Conduct a free assessment of your personal injury case
- Answer any questions about your legal rights or legal options
- Investigate your accident and secure the evidence you need to prove liability
- Work directly with doctors and medical experts to get you the right care and carefully document your injuries
- Represent you in personal injury settlement negotiations with the insurance company
- Take action to build a strong personal injury lawsuit
Our law firm has a proven record of success and a history of satisfied clients. You can read more about this in our client reviews. We are prepared to take your personal injury claim wherever it needs to go to get full financial compensation.
Often, personal injury claims are settled outside of litigation. Still, our trial-tested Toledo, OH, personal injury lawyers are always ready to file a lawsuit and take your case to court.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Should I Talk to the Insurance Company After an Accident?
If you have been seriously injured in Ohio, consult an attorney before dealing with the insurance company. Ultimately, when speaking to an insurance company representative, you should be cautious and share as little information as possible.
The insurance company is not on your side. You do not owe them long conversations about what happened. Take your time and gather your thoughts before giving any statement about your accident.
If you have been seriously injured, please remember the following five tips for dealing with insurance companies:
- Consider all conversations to be official and formal; do not talk casually about your accident
- If you are told something over the phone, be sure also to get it in writing
- Let your attorney handle all aspects of the settlement negotiations
- Do not sign a release for your medical records without approval from your attorney
- Do not sign a settlement agreement without approval from your attorney
How Long Do I Have to Bring a Personal Injury Claim in Ohio?
According to Ohio’s statute of limitations, you generally have two years to file a personal injury claim. If an intentional act caused the injuries, the deadline is only one year. If you fail to take action, you could lose out on your legal rights.
In the majority of personal injury cases, the clock starts running from the date of the accident. However, there is an exception for cases in which the injury was not evident immediately. Then, the clock starts running from the date that the victim either discovered or should have reasonably discovered their injuries (for example, in medical malpractice cases).
What are the Most Common Types of Injuries for Accident Victims?
The latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that accidental, unintentional injuries continue to be a common occurrence. Tens of millions of people visit hospital emergency rooms each year on account of personal injuries.
Common types of personal injuries include the following:
- Head and brain injuries: Occurring as the result of a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, even a minor head injury can be severe and even life-threatening.
- Back and neck injuries: These injuries can result in debilitating pain, long-term disabilities, and the need for surgery as well as physical therapy.
- Bone fractures: Broken bones encompass everything from hairline fractures to complete breaks. They may require the use of a cast and repeated surgeries to repair the damage.
- Muscle strains, sprains, and tears: They often require lengthy recuperation times and prevent people from engaging in their usual activities.
- Cuts and lacerations: While a cut may seem minor, it could open the door for dangerous infections that could impact your overall health. More serious lacerations could impair movement and result in the complete loss of use in a limb or body part.
Even minor accidents can result in serious injuries that have the potential to impact your overall health and quality of life. After any accident, get medical care immediately, as even major injuries may have symptoms that take days or even weeks to appear.
What Should I Do After an Accident?
Far too many Toledo accident victims lose out on compensation simply because they make mistakes early on in the legal process. By taking the proper steps immediately after an accident occurs, you could increase your odds of recovering fair compensation.
Seek Professional Medical Help
First, your health and safety are the most important. You need to get yourself checked out by a doctor after any accident. Sometimes, you may not initially realize the full extent of your injuries. This is often a problem in cases involving head injuries or back injuries.
Additionally, seeking early medical attention will also help you pursue any future legal claim. You will need official medical records to help prove your damages. If you fail to obtain treatment or you fail to follow your doctor’s advice, you might not receive full compensation for your injuries.
Report Your Injuries to the Appropriate Authority
All accidents should be reported. If you were injured in a Toledo car accident, the crash should be reported to the police as well as to the insurance companies. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you should report it to the property owner or the management company. Establish an immediate record of your accident.
Gather Evidence
Strong evidence is key to winning a personal injury claim, but much of it can fade or disappear soon after an accident.
For example, if you don’t take detailed photos of your injuries right away, you might lose the chance as they begin to heal. Similarly, other types of evidence, like witness testimony, will also become harder to gather as time goes on, as witnesses may move or forget important details.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Toledo
Finally, you should always consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Your lawyer will review the specific circumstances of your cases and determine your best path toward recovery.
Toledo Personal Injury FAQs
We understand that being involved in an accident is overwhelming, and you might not know what to do next. Our lawyers will tell you everything you need to know to make informed decisions about your case.
What are the Most Common Causes of Personal Injuries?
As experienced Toledo personal injury lawyers, we have handled a wide range of cases and understand that negligence takes many different forms. We recognize that every situation is unique and requires personalized attention.
Some of the most common causes for our clients’ injuries include:
- Traffic accidents
- Being struck by or against an object, such as unsecured shelving or loose fixtures
- Cuts and lacerations caused by sharp objects and surfaces
- Dog bites and attacks due to reckless dog owners
- Medical errors
- Nursing home abuse
How Do I Choose My Personal Injury Lawyer?
Choosing the right personal injury lawyer is an important decision that impacts the outcome of your case. Start by looking for a lawyer with experience in personal injury cases similar to yours, whether it’s a car accident, medical malpractice, or workplace injury.
Check their track record for winning cases and securing fair settlements. Read reviews or ask for referrals to get insights from past clients. Make sure the lawyer communicates clearly and listens to your concerns.
There are many benefits to working with Groth & Associates, such as:
- We do not charge a fee if there is no recovery in your case
- Our communication style
- How quickly we respond to messages
- How many cases we have handled that are similar to this one
After meeting with us, for a free consultation, it is best to get started as soon as possible, though you definitely want to hire a lawyer with whom you feel completely comfortable.
What is the Average Compensation for a Personal Injury Claim?
There is no average compensation for a personal injury claim. How much you recover depends on the unique details of your case. After a Toledo personal injury attorney reviews your case, they will determine how much you could recover.
Factors that influence your compensation amount include:
- Your economic losses, like medical bills and lost wages
- The severity of your injuries
- How your injuries have impacted your life, including your relationship with family
We also need to consider whether your own negligence possibly contributed to your injuries. For example, if you were T-boned in an intersection by another motorist who ran a red light, but evidence suggests that the light was red when you entered the intersection.
In this situation, both you and the other driver were negligent, and your negligence contributed to your injuries. If a jury finds that your injuries are worth $60,000 but that you were 50% responsible, then you can only receive half of that amount, or $30,000.
Is There a Maximum Amount I Can Receive in Compensation After an Accident?
There is no limit to the amount of compensation you can receive for economic losses like lost wages or medical care. However, your non-economic losses are limited to the greater of $250,000 or an amount that is 300% of your economic loss.
For example, if your economic losses total $50,000, then you can only receive a maximum of $250,000 in non-economic damages. However, if your economic losses were $100,000, then you can receive a maximum of $300,000 in non-economic damages. There is a ceiling of $350,000 for these damages.
There is an exception to the limitation for non-economic loss for damages that compensate for permanent deformity or disability. An experienced personal injury attorney in Toledo will determine how much you could recover.
What are Punitive Damages?
Punitive damages are meant to punish. As such, they seek to deter the defendant, as well as the public at large, from engaging in future reprehensible conduct. The money doesn’t go to the state, for example, but into our clients’ pockets.
Ohio has capped the maximum amount of punitive damages at two times our client’s compensatory damages (economic and non-economic losses discussed above).
For example, if our client suffers $100,000 in compensatory damages, they can receive a maximum of $200,000 in punitive damages. Also, the state sets a hard ceiling of $350,000. Therefore, if a client receives $200,000 in compensatory damages, the maximum she could receive in punitive damages is $350,000 (and not $400,000).
Most of our clients are injured because someone else was careless. For example, a driver failed to check his rearview mirror before backing out of a parking spot, or a business owner failed to properly clean up spilled liquids in a grocery store aisle, leading to a fall.
However, some people are injured intentionally. Because this conduct is more reprehensible than simple carelessness, Ohio law allows victims to ask for damages.
Can I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit Against the Government?
Yes, you can typically file a personal injury claim against a public entity. However, there are strict rules regarding these types of lawsuits. If you have a claim against the government, you will only have a limited amount of time to file a claim.
For example, if you were injured in a crash involving a Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) bus, you will have less time than in another type of personal injury case. You should call an experienced TARTA accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Can I Afford to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
Yes. Regardless of your financial circumstances, you can afford to hire a top-rated Toledo personal injury lawyer. At Groth & Associates, we handle personal injury lawsuits on a contingency fee basis.
Our law firm does not charge our clients upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees. In other words, we only get paid when you get paid. Do not go through the personal injury claims process alone. You deserve a great lawyer.
Can You Sue for Emotional Distress in Ohio?
Yes, it is possible to sue for emotional distress in Ohio. Just as you can seek compensation for physical injuries resulting from another person’s negligence or recklessness, you are entitled to financial compensation for emotional damages.
Courts set strict time limits on claims of emotional distress, but mental or behavioral problems that last for months or years are the more likely to be successful if you seek treatment. If you have suffered physical injuries or mental anguish from an accident, you may be entitled to seek damages from those responsible.
Contact an Experienced Toledo Personal Injury Attorney Today
At Groth & Associates, our Toledo, OH, personal injury lawyers are standing by, ready to help you get justice. If you have suffered a personal injury, we will advise you on the best course of action so that you can get the compensation you need.
To schedule a free consultation, please call or contact us online today. With an office in Toledo, we serve communities throughout Northwest Ohio and Southern Michigan, including Bowling Green, Fremont, and the surrounding areas.
Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
