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    AUTO & MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

    Auto Accident Lawyer Columbus Ohio

    Hurt in a car accident in Columbus or Franklin County? Latif Law represents drivers and passengers in collision claims on a flat 33% contingency fee — no recovery, no fee.

    What to Do After a Crash in Columbus

    1. 1. Call 911. Get a police report (Ohio Crash Report OH-1) — it documents the scene before memories fade.
    2. 2. Get medical attention. Soft-tissue injuries often don't show symptoms for hours or days. The medical record is the foundation of the claim.
    3. 3. Photograph everything. Vehicle damage from multiple angles, the scene, skid marks, traffic signals, your injuries, and the other driver's license and insurance card.
    4. 4. Get witness contact information. Names, phone numbers, what they saw. Witnesses become very hard to find a few weeks later.
    5. 5. Notify your insurance carrier. Required by your policy. Stick to the basic facts — date, location, vehicles involved.
    6. 6. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver's carrier. Speak with a lawyer first.
    7. 7. Save everything. Medical bills, prescription receipts, repair estimates, time off work documentation, and out-of-pocket expenses.

    Two-year deadline: Ohio's statute of limitations for car accident injury claims is two years from the date of the crash (R.C. §2305.10). Earlier consultation gives the best chance to preserve evidence.

    Types of Auto Cases We Handle

    Rear-end collisions

    The trailing driver is presumed at fault under Ohio's assured-clear-distance statute (R.C. §4511.21(A)). Liability is usually straightforward.

    Intersection crashes

    Failure-to-yield, running a red light, or making an unsafe left turn. Liability turns on traffic signals, signage, and witness accounts.

    Highway and merge collisions

    I-70, I-71, I-270, and I-670 crashes. Speed and lane-change disputes are common and often need accident-reconstruction analysis.

    Hit-and-run

    Even when the at-fault driver is never identified, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may pay your claim.

    Uninsured / underinsured motorist

    Roughly one in eight Ohio drivers is uninsured. UM/UIM coverage on your own policy lets you recover when the at-fault driver can't pay.

    Drunk driving and reckless driving

    Punitive damages may be available against intoxicated drivers under Ohio law in addition to compensatory damages.

    Comparative Negligence in Ohio

    Ohio uses modified comparative negligence under R.C. §2315.33. You can recover so long as you are not more than 50% at fault. If you are partly at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds your damages are $100,000 and you were 20% at fault, you recover $80,000. If you were 51% at fault, you recover nothing.

    Insurance carriers often try to inflate the injured person's share of fault to reduce or defeat the claim. Documenting fault carefully — with the police report, photos, witness statements, and (when needed) accident reconstruction — is one of the most important parts of a strong case.

    Damages Recoverable in an Ohio Auto Case

    Emergency room and hospital bills
    Ongoing physical therapy and follow-up care
    Future medical expenses
    Lost wages and lost overtime
    Lost earning capacity (for serious injuries)
    Vehicle repair or fair market replacement value
    Rental car expenses while your vehicle is being repaired
    Pain, suffering, and inconvenience
    Mental anguish and emotional distress
    Loss of consortium for your spouse

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much is my car accident case worth?

    Case value depends on liability strength, medical bills incurred and reasonably expected, lost income, the seriousness and permanence of your injuries, and available insurance coverage. A lawyer can give a meaningful range only after reviewing the police report and medical records.

    The insurance adjuster offered me a settlement quickly. Should I take it?

    Almost never. Early offers are usually well below fair value and require a full release of all future claims — even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than you knew at the time. Have any offer reviewed before signing.

    What if my own injuries don't show up until later?

    Whiplash, back injuries, and concussions often present days after a crash. Get medical attention as soon as symptoms appear and tell the provider the symptoms are from the accident. A documented gap in treatment is a common defense argument.

    Will my own insurance rates go up if I make a UM claim?

    Ohio law does not let your insurer raise your rates or cancel your policy because you used uninsured motorist coverage you already paid premiums for. Carriers occasionally violate this — we handle that if it comes up.

    Serving Columbus and Central Ohio

    Columbus, OHDublin, OHWesterville, OHHilliard, OHGahanna, OHGrove City, OHUpper Arlington, OHWorthington, OHPickerington, OHNew Albany, OHPowell, OHReynoldsburg, OHFranklin County, OHDelaware County, OH

    Hurt in a Crash? Call Today.

    Free consultation. Flat 33% contingency. We don't get paid unless you do.