Columbus Car Accident Attorney
Why Should I Contact an Attorney after an Auto Accident?
If you have been injured in a crash, you may be wondering if you should respond to an auto insurer’s requests for a recorded statement, or to a questionnaire about the crash from a company acting on behalf of your health insurer. You may have received your first unpaid medical bill, or missed your first paycheck and are increasingly anxious to know who will be paying your medical bills and how you will be recovering your lost wages.
You may even have noticed inaccuracies, or outright falsehoods, in the police report and witness statements and are unsure of what to do next. An experienced attorney can guide you through these and the many issues and pitfalls that arise after a serious auto accident. Many aspects of your auto accident case are time sensitive, and receiving sound legal guidance sooner rather than later will serve to protect your rights and interest through this complex, unfamiliar and often unforgiving process.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim?
The statute of limitations to file a car accident claim in Ohio is two years. This means that you have to years from the date of your accident to file a claim or you will lose your right to compensation. Additionally, the state of Ohio is a "modified comparative negligence" state. This means that even if you were at partially at fault for an accident, you can still file a claim to recover damages as long as you are not more then fifty percent at fault. Whatever compensation is recovered will be reduced by the percentage of fault you are determined to be responsible for.
Hear what our clients are saying about their experiences with Rourke & Blumenthal.
Who Is Liable for a Car Accident in Ohio?
The state of Ohio is a “fault” state when it comes to car accident liability. This simply means that the party responsible for causing the accident is responsible for any resulting damages, although the at-fault party’s insurance company is typically the one actually paying these damages.
Fault state allows injury victims to file personal injury claims with more ease and then those living in “no-fault” states. In no-fault states, every driver is required to carry a special type of insurance called personal injury protection coverage (PIP). In the event of an accident, an injured party would file a claim with their own insurance and recover compensation under their PIP policy. This system makes filing a personal injury claim against another driver a much more complicated process as certain conditions must be met in order to file a claim.
In Ohio, every driver has the option to file a personal injury claim against a negligent driver, even if they share fault in causing the accident. This is called a “comparative fault” rule, and it allows drivers who are less than 50% at fault for the accident that led to their injuries to pursue compensation. In this situation, however, your total compensation would be reduced by the percentage of fault you are determined to be responsible for.
Click here to view verdicts and settlements for some of auto accident cases.
Can I File A Car Accident Claim After Insurance Pays?
Most settlement offers include in the agreement that no additional compensation beyond the settlement amount can be collected after a settlement is signed. This is true even if your injuries become more severe in the following weeks and months after your accident, as is common with injuries sustained in a car accident. If you have been offered a settlement, or if you have already signed one, call Rourke & Blumenthal today to talk about your case.
To find out more about our firm and how much you could be owed, please call us at (614) 321-3212 to request your free consultation now!
A Proven Track Record of Success
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$20,800,000 Drunk Driving Accident
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$8,500,000 Verdict for Amputation Injury
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$7,400,000 Accident Causing Amputation
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$6,500,000 Wrongful Deaths Caused By Arson
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Record-Setting $6,000,000 Wrongful Death
We Come Highly Recommended
Learn what our happy clients have to say about working with our team
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"You NEED attorneys who are experienced in TBI cases."Wonderful firm! We have worked with other attorneys in the past and Mike and Tim blew us away. If you have a brain injury in the State of Ohio, you NEED attorneys who are experienced in TBI cases, not just motor vehicle accidents or other personal injury matters. It makes a huge difference having an attorney who understands the medical, emotional, and financial issues a family suffers after a TBI. They are professional, compassionate, and great communicators. I would recommend this office to anyone.- Suzanne
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"Attorney Stoudt is the best lawyer I've ever worked with."Attorney Jon Stoudt is the best lawyer I've ever worked with. He did everything he could to help me. From the start, Jon was very responsive and always explained everything in terms I could easily understand. Jon's staff was also kind and responsive. I highly recommend Jon and would use him again in the future. Several months after being done with my case, another lawyer, handling a different part of the case, commented on how well Jon handled my civil suit.- Jillian
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"Mr. Rourke and his team were extremely compassionate, knowledgeable and friendly"From the very beginning and to the very end of a long process, Mr. Rourke and his team were extremely compassionate, knowledgeable and friendly. I found them to be honest and easy to communicate with, day or night, weekday or weekend. Mr. Rourke was always professional but at the same time made you feel important and took as much time that was needed to explain the many steps in this process. Everyone of his team were very respectful and caring of everyone in my family involved in our case. I will have an admiration for Mr. Rourke and his team for the remainder of my life.- Kelly
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"Excellent Counsel"Jonathan Stoudt gave us excellent counsel during our time with him.- Cathy
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"I always felt that he had my best interests as the top priority."Mr Timothy Mahler represented me after a personal injury auto accident. He was professional, knowledgeable, empathetic and experienced. I always felt that he had my best interests as the top priority. I was relieved from the intricate and time-consuming tasks related to the accident, free to focus on healing and recovery. He managed the complicated insurance and settlement to the best outcome. His team always treated me with respect. I would highly recommend Mr Mahler and his team. Thank you.- Cathy B.
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"I will forever be grateful for their help!"I suffered physical injuries and a concussion from an auto accident in December of 2020. The team, from receptionist to attorneys, were nothing less than stellar, professional, kind, and hard working. The accident and aftermath were extremely stressful; but the Rourkes, Michael Senior and Michael Junior, helped me navigate the process while I focused on healing. For me, recovery from the accident was the most important part of the process. While I worked on recovering, Rourke and Blumenthal worked on negotiating a fantastic settlement for me. I will forever be grateful for their help!- Maggie S.
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"These attorneys always do what they promise."Attys. Mike Rourke, Sr. and Mike Rourke, Jr., helped us understand and settle all the legalities after my husband was hit be a car while riding his bicycle. Their extensive knowledge with injury cases, and their professionalism were ever-present, along with their empathy and understanding of what people experience after injuries that change lives. These attorneys always do what they promise, and in a timely and concise manner.. We would recommend Rourke & Blumenthal for anyone who needs legal services related to an accident or injury.- Stefanie M.
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"Our family is so grateful to have Rob Miller represent my daughter’s personal injury case."Our family is so grateful to have Rob Miller represent my daughter’s personal injury case. He is extremely knowledgeable about Ohio Law and was very patient with my numerous questions. Rob was always genuinely concerned about my daughter’s recovery and well being first. He is professional, knowledgeable, understanding, patient and we are so pleased with the outcome of the settlement. I would highly recommend Rob Miller to anyone looking for a top personal injury attorney.- Kathy
What Sets Us Apart From The Rest?
Rourke & Blumenthal is here to help you get the results you need with a team you can trust.
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Evening & Weekend Appointments - We Will Come to You
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We Don't Get Paid Unless We Recover Money for You
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We are Able to Handle Complex Cases that Other Lawyers Can't
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Attorneys Who Have Been Included in Ohio Super Lawyers®
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AV® Rated - Top Rating for Ethics and Legal Skill
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Member of Million Dollar Advocates Forum®