Auto Accidents
Put Thirty Years of Experience To Work For You - Columbus Auto Accident Lawyer Scott Elliot Smith
Car accidents on Central Ohio roads and highways are common, whether you are in Franklin County, Delaware County, Licking County, Fairfield County, Pickaway County, Madison County or Union County. Columbus car accident lawyer Scott Elliot Smith has been representing personal injury accident victims throughout the region for more than thirty years. He can put that familiarity with local roads and highways and the dangers they may present to work for you.
An aggressive Columbus car accident attorney familiar with the causes of car accidents can ease the burden on you and your loved ones during the difficult times following an accident. You likely have your hands full with medical appointments, police investigators and dealing with insurance companies. Chances are good that the person at fault in the accident - whether they were texting, speeding or just not paying attention to the road - is not going to admit any responsibility for your trauma. In fact, they probably are working hard to shift the burden to you. Scott Elliot Smith knows how respond to every challenge posed by a personal injury automobile accident in Central Ohio. He has obtained compensation and closure for victims of hit and run accidents, drunk driving accidents and other serious cases of negligence.
10 reasons why you should choose our Columbus law firm
- Extensive experience with car accident claims in Franklin County and across Ohio.
- Consistently obtain sizable settlements and verdicts for injury victims.
- Skilled negotiators who know how to deal with insurance companies.
- Fearless courtroom advocates in car accident lawsuits.
- Responsive to your needs throughout your case.
- Personalized approach to every car accident claim we handle.
- Respected law firm highly recommended by clients in Central Ohio.
- In-depth understanding of local, state and federal car accident laws.
- Detailed approach to researching and investigating accidents.
- No fee if we don’t recover a financial settlement or verdict for you.
How a Car Accident Attorney in Columbus Can Help You
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a car accident, you need time to heal physically, emotionally and mentally. You need time to put your life back in order - to return to work, to repair or replace your damaged vehicle, to find a sense of justice in the chaos. Scott Elliot Smith can help remove some of the worry by securing compensation for your losses, as well as for your pain and suffering. His law office offers a free, confidential initial consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis. In other words, we don't collect a penny from you until we win a financial settlement on your behalf. You have nothing to lose - and so much to gain - by calling today.
What You Should Know About Ohio Car Accidents
The police in Central Ohio investigate hundreds of crashes every month. That represents a tremendous caseload for law enforcement agencies and the courts. They simply do not have either the staff or the time to give each case thorough attention. Details may go unnoticed by overworked personnel. The Smith Law Office knows how to find the facts that will give your case the best chance for justice and a fair financial settlement for you and your loved ones.
Too often, insurance adjusters are not looking out for your best interests. Even your own insurance company is more interested in its own bottom line than it is in writing you a large settlement check, even if you deserve it. For more than three decades, Scott Elliot Smith has been standing up to insurance companies on behalf of clients who are suffering through physical, emotional and mental trauma.
Auto accidents in Central Ohio can lead to a variety of serious injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Neck and back pain
- Concussion or other traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury or paralysis
- Internal injuries requiring surgery
- Facial and other head injuries
- Burn injuries
We know where to look for evidence that proves the other driver's negligence was responsible for the accident that left you injured. Scott Elliot Smith reviews all documents related to the crash, including accident reports and medical records. He identifies witnesses and interviews them himself. If needed he'll bring in experts, such as an accident reconstruction expert. He builds a strong case that the insurance company can't simply ignore to pursue the compensation you deserve.
How much should I settle for after a car accident?
If another driver caused your Columbus car accident, you should be eligible to receive financial compensation for your accident-related expenses. This is due to Ohio’s at-fault car insurance system. Under this system, the at-fault party must pay for the injury victim’s expenses.
As a result, don’t be surprised if the at-fault driver’s insurance company makes a settlement offer to resolve your injury claim. If that happens, it’s important to carefully consider whether or not to accept their offer. Because once you do, you cannot ask for more money, no matter how much your car accident expenses add up to in the future.
So how much money should you settle for after your accident? Your settlement offer should cover all your past, present and future accident expenses. The only way to know how much you deserve is to get legal advice. Talk to a Columbus car accident lawyer who can help you review your settlement offer and decide if you should accept it or ask for more money.
Should I file a car accident lawsuit?
Many times, the best way to get the money you rightfully deserve for your Columbus car accident is to file a lawsuit. This is especially true if the at-fault driver’s insurance company makes a lowball settlement offer or refuses to negotiate and not offer more money. When this happens, many injury victims decide to file a lawsuit to get the money they rightfully deserve for their crash. Remember, filing a lawsuit doesn’t necessarily mean your case will go to trial. It just keeps your options open and puts pressure on the insurance company to make a better offer.
Deciding whether to file a lawsuit after your Columbus car crash can be a difficult decision. Even knowing how the process works in Franklin County or other surrounding areas can be confusing. An attorney familiar with the legal process in Ohio can talk with you about the advantages and disadvantages of taking action after your car accident. That way, you can make informed decisions based on sound legal advice.
Who can I sue after a car accident?
In general, you can take legal action against anyone who contributed to causing your collision. Often, this includes the at-fault driver and the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, under Ohio’s legal system, you may be able to file a car accident lawsuit against other at-fault parties. This may include:
- Company that manufactured the vehicle, especially if a mechanical defect caused your crash.
- Bar, restaurant or liquor store that sold alcohol to the driver, if the driver was already visibly intoxicated at the time. In such cases, you may be able to file a “dram shop” claim against the business.
It’s also important to remember that you only have a limited amount of time to take legal action. In Ohio, you generally have two (2) years from the date of your collision to file a car accident lawsuit, according to Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10. However, other deadlines can apply in some circumstances. Don’t miss your opportunity for justice. Talk to a lawyer right away.
How much is my car accident lawsuit worth?
The answer to this question depends on the situation. You should be financially compensated for all your accident-related expenses. This includes all your past, present and anticipated expenses related to your accident, including future medical care and lost future income in many cases.
As a result, your car accident lawsuit could be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more. This is why it’s important to have a skilled lawyer on your side who knows how much money to demand when moving tour case forward. Otherwise, you might end up paying for your accident-related expenses out of your own pocket.
Should I hire a car accident lawyer?
Having an experienced Columbus car accident attorney on your side can make a dramatic difference in the outcome of your legal case. That’s because the at-fault party – and their insurance company – will often do everything they can do reduce or deny your injury claim.
When you have a knowledgeable lawyer on your side, you can take them on and demand the money you rightfully deserve. Whether it’s at the negotiating table or in a courtroom, your attorney can be your voice for justice and present a strong, legal case in support of your accident claim.
This is why it’s critical that that you carefully choose the attorney who will represent you after your Columbus car accident. Make sure your lawyer knows the area and thoroughly understands how the legal system works in Ohio. Make the most of your opportunity to make things right.
Contact an Injury Lawyer in Columbus Now To Pursue Your Car Accident Injury Claim
Scott Elliot Smith knows your case is important to you. And that means it is important to him. A free consultation is your first step on the road to recovery toward peace of mind - financially, emotionally and mentally. Call 614-846-1700 or contact us online. And you don't pay us any fees unless we make a recovery in your case. That's part of the contingency fee arrangement we provide for our clients. Schedule your free consultation with an experienced Columbus car accident lawyer today.
