Flickinger Legal Group
Our personal injury law firm helps people who have been injured due to the negligence of others.
We will do everything we can to help injury victims get better in all aspects of your lives.
Car Accident Attorney Grove City, OH
Whether you’re sideswiped while driving down Columbus Street in Grove City or rear-ended on US-62, a car accident changes your life in an instant. If you believe the other driver is responsible for your pain and loss, you could seek compensation. However, arguing with an insurance adjuster when you’re injured is probably the last thing you feel like doing.
For over two decades, Flickinger Legal Group has helped the injured in Grove City and throughout Franklin County get the justice and financial support they need after an accident or injury. Our award-winning law firm can investigate the accident, identify those responsible, and demand maximum compensation on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Grove City, and let us help you during this challenging time.
What are Common Types of Car Accidents in Grove City, Ohio?
Grove City may be a quiet village in Franklin County, but car accidents happen regularly. The most common types of crashes that occur on Grove City’s well-traveled roads include:
- Rear-End Collisions – These are often caused by the driver in the rear tailgating or driving while distracted.
- T-Bone Accidents – Side impact accidents frequently occur at intersections when one or both drivers fail to follow the rules of the road.
- Head-on Collisions – These accidents typically happen when one car crosses the center line or a motorist drives the wrong way.
- Multi-Vehicle Pile-Ups – Chain reaction car accidents can happen on US-62 and other highways, especially in heavy traffic or poor weather.
What Causes Most Car Accidents in Grove City?
The most common cause of crashes is driver behavior, when a motorist fails to take reasonable precautions to prevent injuring others. The most common driver errors are:
- Distracted Driving – Texting is a leading factor in distracted driving accidents, but it is only one. Using a GPS, eating, adjusting the climate control, or even talking via Bluetooth (hands-free) takes a driver’s attention off the road.
- Driving Under the Influence – Even one alcoholic drink can impair a driver’s judgment and reflexes. Nearly one-third of car accident fatalities involve a drunk driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- Driving at Excessive Speeds – Speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the risk of a crash. Excessive speed also increases the force of impact and usually causes extensive injuries.
- Reckless Driving – Reckless driving takes many forms, including running red lights or stop signs, following too closely, or driving aggressively (road rage).
What are common Injuries After a Car Accident?
There is no such thing as a minor crash if it leaves you in pain. While some injuries resolve themselves without needing significant medical care, others require surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and even long-term care. Grove City car accidents commonly result in injuries like:
- Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash
- Head injuries, including concussions and more serious traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in complete or partial paralysis
- Deep lacerations
- Burns from vehicle fires or chemical exposure
- Emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
How a grove city Car Accident Lawyer Help?
If you are the victim of an accident caused by someone’s negligence, you might think that pursuing compensation is straightforward. As experienced car accident lawyers, we know that insurance companies prefer to settle for as little as possible. They don’t care if their offer isn’t enough to cover your bills, and do all they can to delay or deny your claim.
When you let us handle your case, we relentlessly pursue justice with a proven process that includes:
- A free initial consultation at your home, our office, or virtually
- A thorough investigation of your case using evidence that you, the police, or our team recovers, like police reports and traffic cam footage
- A careful examination of the facts to identify those responsible for your injuries and loss
- A consultation with your doctors to understand how your injuries affect your ability to work, perform daily tasks, and resume a pre-accident lifestyle
- A detailed claim that we send to the at-fault driver’s insurance company seeking full and fair compensation
In many cases, our attorneys serving Grove City successfully negotiate a settlement without the need to go to court. However, we are skilled litigators who can prepare a solid case to argue before a judge or jury.
How do Ohio Car Accident Laws Work?
Ohio is a fault-based state for personal injuries like car accidents. The person who caused the accident is legally and financially responsible for the damage they caused. Here are a few things you need to know about Ohio car accident laws:
- Ohio is a comparative negligence state that allows you to seek compensation even if you are partially at fault for the crash.
- Your percentage of fault cannot exceed 50 percent.
- Your percentage of fault reduces any compensation you receive. For example, if you are found to be 25 percent at fault for the crash for failing to signal, a $100,000 settlement is reduced by $25,000, or 25 percent.
- Ohio gives you two years from your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you forfeit your right to legal action.
Compensation You Might Be Entitled to After a Crash
Ohio recognizes that car accident victims suffer more than one type of loss. A car accident lawyer serving Grove City can calculate your entire losses to pursue compensation accordingly for:
Economic Damages
These are easily quantifiable expenses that include:
- Medical treatment, both current and future
- Lost wages for the time you are recovering
- Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your old job or work at all
- Property damage to repair or replace your vehicle and personal items
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are sometimes called emotional damages because they compensate you for your mental suffering. They are:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Scarring or disfigurement
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are different from economic and non-economic damages. While they are rare in Ohio, the court may affix an amount for reckless or intentional conduct by the at-fault driver.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Grove City, Ohio
The initial weeks after a car accident can impact your health and your opportunity to pursue compensation from those responsible. Taking the following suggested steps can help:
- Get medical attention right away so you do not jeopardize your health. You also want a medical professional to document your injuries.
- Collect and keep any documents or evidence related to the crash. These might include a copy of the police report, pictures of the scene and your injuries, and contact information for witnesses supporting your claim.
- Decline to give a statement to the insurance company, even your own, without first talking to a car accident lawyer.
- Call a car accident attorney serving Grove City who is familiar with many types of crashes. You want a law firm dedicated to helping the injured, not protecting the insurance company’s interests.
Grove City Car Accident FAQs
Car accidents often leave you facing a lot of questions without any clear answers. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions Grove City clients ask our law firm:
You do not legally require a lawyer to pursue compensation in a car accident claim, but handling a case independently can prove exceptionally challenging. You face strict filing deadlines, detailed evidence collection, complicated laws, and insurance companies with extensive experience in weakening claims and minimizing payouts. A skilled Grove City attorney levels the playing field and helps you protect your rights.
Yes. Some car accident injuries, such as whiplash and internal damage, don’t necessarily show symptoms right away. Not only that, but insurers often claim delays in medical care suggest that your injuries are unrelated to the accident. You should always see a doctor as soon as possible, whether you have obvious injuries or not.
To recover compensation, you must not only prove that the at-fault party caused you harm, but also place a clear monetary value on that harm. To do this, your Grove City attorney will likely seek the following:
- Police reports
- Accident scene photos and videos
- Traffic camera and dashcam footage
- Witness testimony
- Medical and financial records
- Expert analysis
Even minor errors can compromise your claim and reduce your payout. Some of the most important things to avoid when pursuing your claim include:
- Offering recorded statements to insurers
- Speculating when speaking with insurers
- Accepting quick settlements without legal advice
- Missing important deadlines
Working with an experienced car accident law firm can help you avoid these critical errors and protect your claim. Your attorney can handle all insurance communications and keep you up-to-date with key deadlines.
No two car accidents occur under the same exact circumstances, which means every car accident claim is unique. That also means that the value of your claim will depend on the circumstances of the collision.
Key factors that determine a claim’s value include:
- Severity of injuries
- Length of recovery
- Medical costs
- Lost income
- Permanent limitations
- Strength of evidence
Timelines vary widely in car accident claims. Your case's timeline depends on several factors, including:
- Severity of injuries
- Ongoing medical treatment
- Disputed liability
- Whether the case goes to court
Â
More minor accident cases can be resolved within a few months, while complicated cases involving severe injuries and disputed liability can take up to a year or longer. Your lawyer can help avoid any preventable issues that might slow down your case and keep it moving as smoothly as possible.
Most cases do not go to court. The majority resolve through insurance negotiations and settlements. However, if the insurance company disputes fault, undervalues your claim, denies a valid claim, or refuses to make a fair offer, filing a lawsuit may become necessary.
Some cases settle without going to court, even after a lawsuit has been filed. If your case does go to court, working with a seasoned trial attorney can make a tremendous difference in securing a favorable verdict.
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing up front to retain our services, and we only charge you if we recover compensation on your behalf. If we do recover compensation, our fees come as a percentage of the overall recovery that will be clearly laid out before we begin working with you.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer Serving Grove City
Whether you live near Haugh Road or work in Columbus and commute from Grove City, you deserve legal representation that puts your needs first. Flickinger Legal Group believes in holding accountable parties who cause bodily harm and financial loss.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Grove City, and let us help you rebuild your life after a car accident that someone else caused