A serious car crash can upend your life in seconds. You are left with injuries, medical bills, time away from work, and an insurance company that starts calling before you have even left the hospital. If that is where you are right now, an experienced Ohio car accident lawyer can take that weight off your shoulders and protect your rights.
Nurenberg Paris Injury Lawyers has represented injured people across Ohio since 1928. Our partners are trial attorneys who prepare every case as if it will be decided by a jury, which is exactly why insurance companies take our clients seriously. When you are ready to talk, reach out to us for a free consultation.
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Why Injured Ohioans Trust Nurenberg Paris Injury Lawyers
Our firm has stood with injured Ohioans for nearly a century, and that history matters when your case is on the line. Nurenberg Paris Injury Lawyers is recognized as a Tier 1 Best Law Firm in Cleveland for both medical malpractice and personal injury litigation, and it holds an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®.
More telling than any list is how we work. Our partners try cases. When an insurer knows a firm is ready to take a claim to verdict, the conversation changes. You also will not deal with a single spokesperson here.
Several experienced partners handle serious auto cases, and one of them, Jordan D. Lebovitz, earned a commercial driver’s license to better understand how large-truck crashes happen.
We serve clients from offices in Cleveland and Toledo, and our No Fee Guarantee® backs every case. You do not pay us anything unless we recover money for you.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Ohio
What you do in the hours and days after a crash can shape both your recovery and your claim.
If you are able, take these steps:
- Get medical care right away. Some injuries, including concussions and internal damage, do not show symptoms for hours or days. A prompt exam protects your health and documents your injuries.
- Report the crash and get the police report. Call the police from the scene. The report becomes an official record of what happened.
- Document everything you can. Photograph the vehicles, the road, and your injuries, and collect names and contact information from any witnesses.
- Be careful with the insurance company. You do not have to give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement. Adjusters are trained to find reasons to pay less.
- Talk to a lawyer before you settle. An early offer often arrives before anyone knows the full cost of your injuries. Once you accept, you generally cannot ask for more.
The sooner you act, the more evidence your attorney can preserve. Ohio also sets a firm deadline for filing a lawsuit, which we cover below.
Common Causes of Ohio Car Accidents
Most crashes come down to a driver who wasn’t paying attention or following the rules of the road. The causes we see most often include distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, drowsy driving, and failure to yield. Bad weather and poor road conditions also play a role, especially during Northern Ohio winters.
Where a crash happens can matter as much as how. Cleveland drivers know the tight curves of the Interstate 90 Innerbelt, including the downtown bend locals call Dead Man’s Curve.
In the Toledo area, heavy traffic on Interstate 75 and the Interstate 280 bridge over the Maumee River leads to its share of serious wrecks. Identifying the cause of your crash is the first step toward proving who was at fault.
Injuries We See in Ohio Car Accident Cases
The force of a collision can cause harm that ranges from painful to life-changing.
Common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash and Soft-Tissue Injuries: Neck and back strains are common in rear-end crashes and can linger for months.
- Broken Bones: Fractures often require surgery, hardware, and long rehabilitation.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Spine damage can lead to lasting nerve problems or paralysis. Serious spinal cord injuries often need lifelong care.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even a crash with no visible head wound can cause a concussion or a more serious traumatic brain injury.
- Internal Injuries: Bleeding and organ damage are not always obvious at the scene, which is one more reason to see a doctor promptly.
Serious injuries can change how you live and work for years. The most severe crashes leave families facing catastrophic harm or the wrongful death of someone they love. Cases like these deserve careful, thorough preparation.
Is Ohio a No-Fault State? Ohio Car Accident Law Explained
Ohio is an at-fault state, sometimes called a tort state. That means the driver who caused the crash and that driver’s insurance company are responsible for paying for the harm done. It works differently from no-fault states, where you first turn to your own insurer, no matter who was at fault.
Ohio also follows a rule called modified comparative negligence. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33, you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault.
Your share of the blame reduces your compensation. If your damages come to $100,000 and you are found 20% at fault, you would recover $80,000. Cross the 50% line, though, and you recover nothing.
Because every percentage point matters, insurers often try to shift more blame onto you. Part of our job is pushing back with evidence.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Ohio?
In most Ohio car accident cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, under Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10. If a crash took a life, a wrongful death claim generally must be filed within two years of the date of death.
Two years can feel like plenty of time, but it goes fast. Evidence disappears, vehicles get repaired, and witnesses forget details. A few narrow exceptions can change the deadline, such as claims involving minors, so it is worth confirming your specific deadline early. The safest move is to talk with a lawyer soon after your crash.
What if the Other Driver Was Uninsured or Underinsured?
Too many Ohio drivers carry little or no insurance. When the at-fault driver cannot cover your losses, your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, known as UM/UIM, can step in as another source of recovery if your policy includes it.
These claims are not always simple. You are now dealing with your own insurance company, and it may question the value of your claim just as another insurer would. An experienced attorney can review every policy that might apply and handle those conversations for you.
Compensation Available After an Ohio Car Accident
Every case is different, but compensation in a car accident claim generally falls into two categories:
- Economic damages cover measurable financial losses: medical bills, future care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and vehicle repairs.
- Noneconomic damages cover the harder-to-quantify human costs, such as pain, physical limitations, and the emotional toll of a serious injury.
Ohio does cap noneconomic damages in many injury cases. Still, those caps do not apply to catastrophic injuries like the loss of use of a limb or the loss of a bodily organ system. Economic damages are generally not capped.
These caps have been challenged in court over the years, so your lawyer can walk you through the current limits. You may be entitled to compensation for all of these losses, and part of our work is helping ensure we don’t overlook any.
Questions to Ask an Ohio Car Accident Lawyer
Hiring a lawyer is a big decision, and you should feel comfortable asking questions before you commit.
A free consultation is a good time to ask questions like:
- How much trial experience does the firm have? Cases often resolve on better terms when the other side knows you are prepared to go to court.
- Who will handle my case, and how will we stay in touch? You deserve to know who is doing the work and how often you will hear from them.
- How do your fees work? Ask how the contingency fee and the No Fee Guarantee® apply to your situation.
- What is your honest view of my case? A straight answer about strengths and challenges tells you a lot about a firm.
If you want to talk through any of these, you can contact us to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about Ohio car accident claims.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Ohio Car Accident Lawyer?
You pay nothing upfront. Nurenberg Paris Injury Lawyers works on a contingency fee, and our No Fee Guarantee® means you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. Your first consultation is free.
How Much Is My Ohio Car Accident Case Worth?
There is no set formula, because the value depends on your specific losses. Serious injuries, extensive medical care, lost income, and lasting effects on your daily life all raise a claim’s value. A lawyer can evaluate your case once the full picture of your injuries is clear.
Will My Case Settle, or Do I Have to Go to Court?
Most car accident claims settle without a trial, but no one can promise that yours will. If an insurer refuses to offer a fair amount, you may need to file a lawsuit. Preparing every case for trial from the start puts you in a stronger position either way.
What Should I Bring to My Consultation?
Bring whatever you already have: the crash report, photos, insurance information, medical records, and any letters from insurance companies. If you are missing some of it, that is fine. Part of our job is helping you gather what your case needs.
Talk to an Ohio Car Accident Lawyer Today
A crash can leave you hurt, stressed, and unsure of your next move. You do not have to sort it out alone. Nurenberg Paris Injury Lawyers has been fighting for the injured since 1928, and we can put that experience to work on your case.
Whether your crash happened in the Cleveland area or near Toledo, reach out for a free, confidential consultation. There is no fee unless we recover money for you, and there is no pressure. Contact us today to tell us what happened. Fighting for the Injured Since 1928. That’s what you expect, and that’s what you deserve.
