Columbus Car Accident Lawyer

Columbus Car Accident Attorneys You Can Count On – The Fitch Law Firm

The Columbus car accident lawyers at The Fitch Law Firm have over 30 years of experience helping auto accident victims get the compensation they deserve. If you’ve been injured in an accident, reaching out to a Columbus car accident lawyer should be your top priority. With years of experience in helping accident victims secure the compensation they deserve, our team is dedicated to providing clear communication and outstanding service. We recognize the physical, emotional, and financial challenges an accident can create, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Filing a lawsuit with the help of our Columbus personal injury law firm could lessen that load and allow you to concentrate on getting healthier. The Fitch Law Firm has been helping people like you for over 30 years. Now, our team wants to seek justice in your case. Call for a free consultation today.

 

How an Experienced Columbus Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Our Columbus car accident lawyers recognize how crucial it is for you and your family to rebuild your lives after a personal injury. We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible so that:

• You can tell us what happened in your car accident. We will listen compassionately as you share every detail.
• We can explain your options moving forward. A member of our team will advise you about what might be the best way to pursue accident compensation.
• We can start on your case promptly. You need damages as soon as possible. Our attorneys want to start fighting for you quickly so we can put that money in your pocket.

If you were badly injured and are not cleared to travel yet, we can come to you. Members of our team can visit you at home or in the hospital to begin the legal process before the statute of limitations, which is just two years according to Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10, expires. Some of our car accident settlements include:

$1,450,000: The car accident victim suffered a leg and ankle injury, which led to a substantial loss of income.
$1,000,000: This settlement involved a brain injury.
$600,000: Our firm won this settlement for an individual who suffered many injuries, including a hip fracture.

Examples of Car Accident Negligence in Columbus, OH

One of the most crucial things our Columbus, OH, car accident attorneys can do is determine negligence. This means figuring out who failed to uphold their duties and what actions they could or should have taken to protect you. Negligence in auto accidents may be the result of:

• Hit and Run Accidents
  These occur when a driver causes an accident and leaves the scene without stopping to provide information or help. Victims may face challenges identifying the at-fault party, but uninsured motorist coverage and legal assistance can help pursue compensation.
• Texting While Driving Accidents
  Texting takes a driver’s eyes, hands, and mind off the road, making it one of the most dangerous types of distracted driving. These accidents often lead to serious collisions due to delayed reaction times.
• Uber & Lyft Accidents
  Crashes involving rideshare vehicles can be complex due to the involvement of multiple insurance policies. Whether you’re a passenger, another driver, or a pedestrian, liability depends on the driver’s status at the time of the accident.
• Rear-End Collisions
  Common at intersections and in heavy traffic, rear-end collisions usually happen due to inattention or tailgating. Even at low speeds, these crashes can result in whiplash and other soft-tissue injuries.
• Drunk Driving
  Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and increases the risk of severe or fatal crashes. Victims can pursue both civil damages and, in some cases, punitive damages.
• Distracted Driving
  This includes any activity that diverts attention from driving—eating, using a GPS, talking to passengers, or adjusting controls. Distracted driving is a leading cause of preventable accidents.
• Operating a Recalled Vehicle
  If a driver ignores a manufacturer recall, the vehicle may pose safety risks due to defective parts. Accidents caused by known defects could result in shared liability between the driver and the manufacturer.
• Poor Vehicle Maintenance
  Neglecting routine maintenance—like checking brakes, tires, or lights—can cause mechanical failures that lead to accidents. Drivers are responsible for keeping their vehicles roadworthy.
• Manufacturing Defective Vehicles
  Some crashes are caused by design flaws or manufacturing defects such as faulty airbags or brake systems. In these cases, auto manufacturers can be held liable through a product liability claim.
• Speeding
  Exceeding the posted speed limit reduces a driver’s ability to react to sudden changes in traffic and increases the severity of accidents. Speeding is a factor in nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities.
• Traveling Too Fast for Conditions
  Even if a driver is within the speed limit, going too fast for road, traffic, or weather conditions can still be negligent. Wet roads, low visibility, or construction zones require reduced speeds for safety.

Some car accident cases involve more than one at-fault party. This could complicate your case, but The Fitch Law Firm LLC can still be there to protect your future by pursuing fair compensation today.

What Can Our Car Accident Lawyers Do for Your Claim?

The Fitch Law Firm LLC can handle the bulk of your claim so you can focus on your recovery. We can take the burden off of your family by providing these services:

• Handle complex insurance claims
• Fight claim denials
• Negotiate on your behalf
• Advocate for your interests
• Help you avoid making mistakes

One of the most important things our car crash lawyers can do for you is show the at-fault party’s insurance company that you are serious about protecting your rights. Once they see that you are represented by our highly-rated legal team, they may be more inclined to cooperate with your legal action.

Why You Should Hire Our Columbus Auto Accident Lawyers

The truth is that insurance companies employ strategies to reduce the value of your settlement or perhaps avoid paying you at all. These strategies include:

• Claiming you behaved negligently
• Downplaying the severity of your injuries and losses
• Denying their client’s liability
• Pushing you to accept a fast settlement
• Saying that you will never get compensation if you do not accept their initial offer

You can safeguard your rights by having our accident injury attorneys in Columbus fight on your behalf. To help you understand your legal choices, our legal team will provide a free consultation. We are also available to clients 24/7 and can address their concerns at any time.

What Is the Standard Amount Awarded for a Car Accident Injury in Columbus?

There is no hard and fast rule as to how much you may be entitled to. Your financial compensation depends on various factors, such as the severity of your injuries and the amount of available evidence.

In addition, there is a wide range of compensatory damages that you could potentially claim after a car crash. The combination of damages you can ask for is specific to your situation. Our Columbus car accident attorneys can help you determine if you should seek money for:

• Medical bills
• Therapy or long-term care expenses
• Lost wages
• Losing the ability to earn in the future
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disability
• Loss of consortium

Injuries You May Be Facing After a Car Accident

Your settlement value is influenced by several factors, one of which is the cost of your medical expenses. The severity of your injuries and the duration of your recovery will both impact your final settlement. Some of the most common injuries that victims suffer in car accidents include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Dislocated, crushed, or broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Burns
• Scarring
• Lost limbs

These catastrophic injuries may require extensive medical care and long recovery periods. Any fair settlement offer must take into account the time you need to recover as fully as possible from your injuries. The Fitch Law Firm LLC can provide you with a compassionate assessment of your medical needs, as well as a full accounting of the other damages your car accident has left you and your family with.

Can I Still Collect Compensation If I Am at Fault in a Traffic Accident?

That depends how much you contributed to the crash. Comparative negligence, also known as comparative fault, quantifies the degree to which each party contributed to the accident. The amount the accident victim receives from the at-fault driver is then adjusted based on that figure. For instance:

• If you were found to be 25 percent responsible for the crash, you can still recover damages, but your payout will be reduced by 25 percent.
• You will not receive anything if you were 51 percent or more at fault.

To evaluate the extent to which your fault played a role in the car accident, you can allow our car crash lawyers in Columbus to investigate your case. We can show that you are not the primary at-fault party and should receive fair compensation.

How Can Our Columbus Car Accident Attorneys Prove Liability?

Who is at fault in a Columbus car accident, and what percentage of fault each party shares, will directly impact your claim. To prove your percentage of fault or that you were not at fault at all, our attorneys can provide proof of the following:

• The Driver Had a Duty to Exercise Reasonable Care Toward You: Drivers have a duty to use caution when they are on the road. They are legally obligated to follow the laws so other drivers can stay safe.
• The Driver Was Negligent in Exercising That Duty of Care: Our auto accident lawyers can find evidence that the at-fault driver was negligent when they failed to use caution on the road. Drivers understand that they may cause an accident when they take needless risks, so they assume responsibility for the consequences of their actions.
• The Driver’s Negligence Was the Cause of the Accident: Next, The Fitch Law Firm LLC can prove that the driver’s negligent action led directly to your motor vehicle accident. We may use eyewitness testimony, accident reconstruction, police reports, medical records, and other evidence to prove fault.
• You Were Physically Injured by the Driver’s Negligence: Finally, we must show that the driver’s negligent act was the cause of your injury. The other party’s insurers may try to claim you were already injured before the accident. Our legal team can make a strong case to prove that your injuries never had to happen.

Many, if not most, car accidents occur because of driver error or negligence. However, there is also the possibility that you were the victim of a careless mechanic or product manufacturer. When we investigate your collision, we can figure out who you should hold liable.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Columbus?

After an auto accident, there are things you can do to increase your chances of winning a satisfactory personal injury settlement. Here is a checklist of what you should do after a collision, according to our auto accident lawyers:

• Move your car. If you are in the flow of traffic, you are at risk of being hit and injured again. Get out of the road as quickly as you can. If you can still operate your car well enough to move it to the shoulder, do so.
• Call 911. You want to get help to your location as fast as possible. This could include the Columbus Division of Police, OSHP, and/or emergency medical services. Make sure to file an accident report. Having a police report about your accident can support your injury claim later on.
• Seek medical attention immediately. You should never make assumptions about your health. A doctor can professionally assess the full extent of the injury, preventing potentially bigger problems from arising in the future. In addition, medical statements can support your car accident claim.
• Speak to everyone at the accident scene. Get information about the vehicles involved, as well as the drivers’ names, addresses, telephone numbers, and insurance information. Be sure to request any witnesses’ names, addresses, and phone numbers.
• Collect evidence while it is fresh. Document the scene as well as you can. Take photographs of all vehicles involved, any injuries suffered, and the accident location. Also, take pictures of the possible contributing factors to the accident, such as beer bottles lying around.
• Exercise caution when speaking about the accident: Anything you say after a wreck can be used to devalue your claim. Even a simple “I’m okay” can be used to discount your injuries. It is better to say very little to the other driver than to have your words used against your claim later. When the police ask questions, keep your answers factual and short.

How Soon Should You Contact Our Columbus Car Accident Lawyers?

It is important to start your case quickly. As previously mentioned, Ohio car accident victims have just two years to start a case. After this time has passed, your attempt to sue may likely be dismissed by the court.

That said, in the immediate aftermath of an auto wreck, the activities listed above are more urgent than calling our office. Take care of as many of them as you can first. After that, if you have questions regarding your car accident in Columbus, call The Fitch Law Firm LLC for a free case consultation.

What Are the Most Common Car Accident Causes in Columbus?

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) collects data that shows how and where car crashes occur throughout the state. This is what their car accident statistics say about motor vehicle accidents in Franklin County for the year 2022:

Traffic Collisions Are Very Common

There were over 22,000 accidents in 2022, including over 7,000 collisions that involved a possible or suspected injury. Our legal counsel is here to assist injured victims like these.

Reckless Driving Plays a Key Role in Many Franklin County Accidents

Such reckless behaviors include:

• Drinking and driving (1,095 crashes)
• Running a red light or a stop sign (1,480 crashes)
• Speeding (2,418 crashes)
• Failing to yield (3,614 crashes)

Note that each and every one of these accident causes is preventable. If Columbus drivers would commit to driving sober and obeying street signs, there would be far fewer accidents.

Most Columbus Crashes Happen When Roads Are Crowded

This may sound obvious, but our car accident legal team believes it bears repeating: you should exercise additional caution in crowded conditions. This includes:

• In the middle to late afternoon when people come home from work or school
• When you are on a highway or interstate (IR-270 and US-40 saw over 1,000 accidents apiece in 2022)
• During warmer months and holidays when people are more likely to travel

How to Choose the Right Columbus Car Accident Lawyer

Many personal injury and wrongful death law firms do business in Ohio. A simple internet search gives you hundreds of results, and you may even have received referrals from friends. Here is a checklist to help you choose the right attorney for your accident case:

• How many years of personal injury law experience does the firm have?
• Does the lawyer deal with multiple areas of law, or does their practice focus only on personal injury cases, such as vehicle accidents?
• Has the lawyer succeeded in handling accident cases like yours?
• What do the law firm’s case results say about their ability to win compensation for clients?
• Do previous clients have good things to say about the lawyer or firm?
• Is the lawyer or firm available and approachable when you need to talk to them?
• Does the lawyer charge reasonable fees?
• Do you feel comfortable working with this lawyer or firm?
• Have any ethical complaints been reported against the attorney?

While finding a lawyer may not be a problem, choosing the right one can be if you do not know what to look for. You do not want to spend your time, money, and effort with a lawyer who does not give you the best chance at getting the best result for your case.

Choose a Trustworthy Columbus Car Accident Lawyer

The Fitch Law Firm LLC provides services trusted by many Ohioans for car accident cases. Our Columbus personal injury attorneys’ compassionate but determined legal support is unmatched. Here are some of the reasons our clients have chosen us to represent their claims:

• Successful and proven track record
• 30+ years of experience in personal injury law
• Received millions for clients
• Recognized by legal organizations and the media
• No upfront or hourly fees
• You pay no fee unless we win your case
• Your consultation is free
• We will travel to you as needed

For us, our clients are not just clients. They are human beings who have been through a terrible ordeal and deserve the kind of dedicated legal representation that we can provide.

Contact a Columbus Car Accident Lawyer For a Free Consultation

We are here to take your case, fight for your rights, and help you get the justice you deserve. Call The Fitch Law Firm LLC for a free initial consultation. Use our extensive knowledge to your advantage today. Our Columbus car accident lawyers are eager to start figuring out the best ways to help you—all for no upfront fees.