A statute of limitations is like a legal deadline that defines how much time a person has to file a legal claim. In Ohio, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years. This means that a person injured in an accident must file a claim within two years of the date of the accident, or they may be barred from recovering damages. In certain cases, such as when the victim is a minor, the statute of limitations may be tolled, giving victims more time to file a case. It is always a good idea to take prompt action and contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to improve your chances of securing compensation.

In general, personal injury victims may receive compensation for standard damages (which include economic and non-economic damages) as well as punitive damages in some cases. Economic damages are meant to compensate a person for financial losses they have suffered due to an injury. This includes lost wages if they are unable to work, medical expenses, and the cost of any necessary long-term care. In contrast, non-economic damages provide compensation for subjective losses that are hard to quantify, such as pain and suffering. Punitive damages are typically awarded in cases where the defendant acted recklessly or with willful disregard for the safety of others. Ask an experienced personal injury attorney which type of damages may be available for your case.

A personal injury case is filed when someone is injured due to a negligent or wrongful act of another party. It is a civil action, and the injured person is entitled to seek damages from the other party by proving the defendant’s negligence was the direct cause of their injuries. A wrongful death case is when someone dies due to a negligent or wrongful act of another party. This is a civil action much like a personal injury case, but because the victim succumbed to their injuries, the personal representative of the estate of the deceased person seeks damages from the other party. The damages are awarded to the decedent’s estate and distributed to their beneficiaries in accordance with Ohio’s intestacy laws.

After filing an insurance claim, it is best to be careful if you are asked to give a recorded statement to the insurance company. It is not unusual for insurance carriers to try to use what you said in a recorded statement against you in an attempt to reduce the amount of compensation they owe you. They may also try to take your words out of context in an attempt to show that you are partially responsible for the injury or accident or that your injuries and damages are not as severe as you claim. If you are not comfortable talking to the insurance company, an experienced personal injury attorney can handle all communications on your behalf.

A skilled personal injury attorney will focus on resolving your case in the most efficient manner possible without sacrificing your chances of receiving maximum compensation. Many claims are settled before they even reach the courtroom, especially when a client is represented by a personal injury lawyer who the insurance companies know can take them to trial if necessary. When you are dealing with a complex personal injury claim, it is in your best interest to be represented by a personal injury lawyer, even if your case does not end up going to trial.

The time it takes for a personal injury victim to receive a settlement can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the case and whether the victim is filing an insurance claim or taking the case to the courtroom. Insurance claims can usually be settled in less time than most personal injury lawsuits. Some insurance companies may issue a settlement check in a few weeks or months after the claim is submitted. In contrast, a personal injury lawsuit can take a year or longer to resolve but typically results in higher settlements than an insurance claim. A personal injury lawyer can give you a better idea of how long your particular claim may take to be resolved.

Personal injury claims are based on negligence, meaning the plaintiff (the victim) has to prove that the basic elements of negligence apply to their case. For a successful claim, the plaintiff needs to be prepared to demonstrate that the defendant owed them a duty of care and that their duty of care was breached when the defendant acted with negligence or recklessness. Next, the plaintiff should prove that the defendant’s breach of duty of care was the direct cause of their injuries and damages and that the defendant is, therefore, financially liable for the plaintiff’s injuries and losses. A personal injury lawyer can assist with the process of gathering evidence to prove negligence for your case.

Many clients worry about how much money they may receive for their case, especially if they have been unable to work due to their injuries. In general, the value of any single claim is determined by the severity of the claimant’s injuries and the resulting economic and non-economic damages. The more serious the injuries and the more significant the damages incurred, the higher the value of the case may be. However, each personal injury case is unique – some may require filing multiple insurance claims, some may have more than one at-fault party, and some may even include compensation for punitive damages. The only way to get a better idea of your case value is to speak to a personal injury lawyer.