Of the thousands of automobile accidents that cause injuries and deaths in Ohio annually, sadly, many could have been prevented. If you or someone you care about was involved in a car crash caused by a negligent driver, an experienced Springfield car accident lawyer can help.

After an accident, you need an experienced, compassionate law firm in your corner. We can help you understand your legal options, handle the insurance company, and fight to recover full and fair compensation.

At The Stuckey Firm, LLC, our team has over three decades of combined experience and a reputation for aggressively pursuing fair compensation for our clients. Reach out to our Springfield personal injury lawyers and learn more about how we can help you protect your interests so you can focus on healing.

You Should Not Have to Pay When Someone Else Was at Fault

After a wreck, you need an auto accident lawyer to explain your rights and fight for full compensation to cover your costs now and in the future. We’ll start working immediately to protect your rights and build your case.

Whenever another driver is at fault for a car accident, they should be responsible for your losses. That means medical bills, lost wages, and more.

However, insurance companies typically don’t want to pay you what your hardship is worth and will often offer lowball settlements. Our firm is aggressive in pushing them to do the right thing and provide full compensation.

Legal support after an accident:

• Understanding your rights: Our experienced lawyers will clarify your legal options.
• Building your case: Immediate action is taken to gather evidence and strengthen your claim.
• Insurance negotiations: We challenge low settlement offers and fight for the compensation you deserve.
• Comprehensive compensation: Ensuring you receive payment for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
• Long-term support: We understand that recovery is not just physical but also emotional and financial. Our team is committed to supporting you throughout your recovery process, providing ongoing legal assistance as needed.
• Maximizing your claim: Our goal is to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible, accounting for future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and any impact on your quality of life.

Our dedicated team is committed to ensuring you are treated fairly and receive the maximum compensation for your ordeal.

A Springfield, OH, Trial Attorney Fighting for You

With more than three decades of combined experience, our team will vigorously protect your rights and pursue your claims against those responsible for causing your damages.

If we must present your claim to a judge or jury, rest assured that we are experienced and respected in the courtroom. Fighting for you is our top concern.

Representation in All Types of Springfield Motor Vehicle Accidents

Our firm represents people in a full range of vehicular accident claims involving:

• Car Accidents: We handle cases involving passenger vehicle collisions, from minor fender-benders to catastrophic multi-car pileups on highways and roads.
• Truck Accidents: Our attorneys have extensive experience with complex commercial truck accident cases, including incidents involving semi-trucks, delivery vans, and other large vehicles.
• Pedestrian Accidents: We fight for the rights of pedestrians who have been struck by negligent drivers while walking, jogging, or using designated crosswalks.
• Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycle riders often suffer severe injuries in collisions, and we advocate tenaciously for fair compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
• Bus Accidents: Whether involving a school bus, city transit bus, or tour bus, our team investigates these accidents thoroughly to determine liability and protect victims’ interests.
• Bicycle Accidents: We represent cyclists who have been struck by inattentive or reckless drivers, helping them recover for injuries, property damage, and ongoing care needs.
• Train Accidents: Collisions with trains can be catastrophic, and our lawyers have experience holding railroad companies and other parties accountable.
• Boat Accidents: Our practice includes handling personal injury and wrongful death claims stemming from boating accidents on lakes, rivers, and other waterways.

Common Car Crash Causes and Injuries in Ohio

Aggressive driving, drunk driving, distracted driving, texting while driving, and traffic violations, such as speeding, are all common factors in Springfield car accidents.

When negligence is proven, people who have been injured and lost loved ones may recover badly needed compensation through claims and personal injury lawsuits. Serious injuries and fatalities from motor vehicle collisions are common.

Common causes of car crashes:

• Aggressive driving: Actions such as tailgating, erratic lane changes, and road rage.
• Drunk or impaired driving: Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Distracted driving: Any activity that diverts attention from driving, including using a cell phone, eating, or adjusting the radio.
• Texting while driving: Sending, reading, or typing text messages while driving.
• Traffic violations: Includes speeding, running red lights, and failing to yield.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and burns are injuries that are more likely to lead to additional medical issues down the road. If you have been injured or someone has died due to the negligence of another, it is critical that you seek the counsel of an experienced attorney immediately.

You deserve to be compensated for all you’ve been through. We can help.

Types of serious injuries:

• TBIs: Can lead to long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments.
• Spinal cord injuries: Often result in partial or total paralysis and require extensive rehabilitation.
• Broken bones: May necessitate surgeries and long recovery periods, impacting daily life and work.
• Burns: Can cause severe pain, require long-term medical care, and lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement.

We have a reputation for personalized and compassionate service. While you focus on your physical recovery, we are here to help you recover maximum compensation for medical care, lost wage replacement, and acknowledgment of your pain and suffering.

Timeline of a Car Accident Claim

Protecting your rights as an injured victim depends on the steps you take after an auto collision. Below, we share a timeline of what the claim process looks like so you can learn what to expect and how a skilled attorney can help you.

The Immediate Aftermath

The health and welfare of you and your loved ones are always the priority. Immediately after a car accident, get to a safe place and call 911 if you can. Also, document everything you can by taking pictures of the area and the other vehicle(s) involved and exchanging contact information with the other motorists involved and any other potential witnesses.

Photos of driver’s licenses, license plates, and insurance cards are the best way to secure accurate information.

We also recommend you get medical attention as soon as possible, telling medical providers everything you are experiencing, large or small. Keep track of your medical providers and remain cooperative with law enforcement and insurance representatives.

Contacting the Insurance Company

The negligent driver’s insurance company may reach out to you when the policyholder reports the accident to them, or you may need to contact them. 

To best protect yourself, contact The Stuckey Firm, LLC for a free consultation before speaking with an insurance company directly to prevent disclosing information or signing documents that may negatively impact your claim.

You may also want to speak with your auto insurance provider. When speaking with an insurance adjuster, discuss the auto accident based only on facts. Most importantly, never admit or imply you were at fault for the crash.

It’s important to remember that Ohio is an at-fault state, meaning the individual who caused an accident will have to pay compensatory damages to the injured victim. Apologizing can be seen as an admission of guilt, and the at-fault driver may use an apology to turn the tables on you and paint themselves as the victim.

The Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer

Based on the insurance representative’s research of the car wreck, the insurance company will contact you with a settlement offer. However, it is not your obligation to accept an offer immediately, and you have a right to reject such an offer and negotiate. 

In fact, these early offers are really made for the benefit of the insurance company and not you.  Once you settle your claim, you cannot reopen it. Insurance companies want to settle early to avoid having to pay for additional damages you incur.

Damages refer to your medical expenses, lost wages, and the necessary car repairs. The offer can also include non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Our car accident attorneys in Springfield will thoroughly evaluate your damages to ensure none of your losses are overlooked.

Negotiations After Rejecting the Initial Settlement

It is important to note that you are under no obligation to accept the settlement offer the insurance company makes. Our attorneys will build a solid claim backed by evidence and negotiate aggressively to maximize your compensation.

Going to Trial and Potential Out-of-Court Settlements

If you find that the representative does not cooperate, your insurance policy may include specific arbitration procedures if you cannot agree on a settlement. If the damage you experienced is severe, you can also file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.

Common Questions After a Car Accident

Being in a car accident is a disorienting experience, so we hear a lot of questions about how to proceed after a crash at The Stuckey Firm, LLC. Here is a selection of what comes up most frequently: 

When Is The Right Time to Talk to a Lawyer?

The sooner you talk to an experienced car accident attorney, the better your chances are of receiving the fair settlement you deserve. When you involve us early in the process, we can preserve critical evidence and information that might otherwise be lost. 

This may include valuable information from the crash site, assessments of your vehicle, and more. We can also ensure that you receive the proper care for your car accident injury as soon as possible. 

Not every physician has experience dealing with insurance claims, so we can help guide you and your medical providers to ensure your injuries and damages are properly documented.

How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?

This question is at the forefront of many people’s minds after an accident. The answer may take time to determine and may be affected by factors such as:

• The nature and extent of the injuries and the doctor’s prognosis
• Calculations by a professional life care planner after a catastrophic injury
• The causes of the accident and evidence of negligence
• Available resources of the opponent, including insurance coverage limits
• Your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), if relevant

A successful outcome should ideally pay your medical bills, replace your lost wages, and compensate you for pain and suffering. Dollar amounts will become apparent as your case progresses and may ultimately be determined at trial.

What Should I Say to the Insurance Company?

Say as little as possible. Never make a recorded statement without consulting with an attorney first. While the circumstances of your car crash may seem straightforward to you, the reality is that insurance companies will likely twist your words and attempt to pin some or all of the blame on you, even if it was clearly not your fault.

When you work with us, we will go over all the facts and craft an appropriate response together.

Should I Accept an Insurance Settlement Offer?

Never sign anything or cash a check from an insurer before discussing your case with a personal injury lawyer. Once you accept a settlement offer and deposit the money, you will not be able to go back and ask for more if your medical condition worsens.

Your personal injury attorney should educate you to the point that you will be fully informed and ready to accept an offer with confidence or push for a trial.

What if I Was a Passenger Injured in a Car Accident?

You may have multiple sources of compensation in this case. You may be able to bring an injury claim against the insurance company for the car you were in, as well as a negligent driver of another vehicle.

Even if the driver of the car that you were riding in is your own family member, making an insurance or legal claim against that driver may be the best and only way to obtain full compensation for your injuries. 

Although some insurance policies place limitations on claims between family members, attorneys at The Stuckey Firm, LLC will explore all potential recovery options to give clients their best possible outcome following a car crash.

Is It Okay to Post About My Accident on Social Media or Start a Crowdfunding Campaign?

You should keep all public information to an absolute minimum after an accident. While this may be difficult, the reality is that insurance companies will do everything they can to use this information against you. They can’t use what they don’t have.

Certain initiatives may be appropriate depending on the circumstances, but we can help you tailor your public communications so as not to jeopardize your chances for fair compensation. In the long run, that is what matters most.

Can I Still Pursue a Personal Injury Claim if I Was Partly at Fault?

Both Ohio and West Virginia use the “modified comparative negligence” rule, which allows the victim of an accident to pursue compensation as long as they were less than 51% responsible for the accident.

In these cases, the financial compensation the victim receives will also be reduced by the amount of liability they share in the accident.

What if I Lost a Loved One in a Car Accident?

If your immediate family member was killed in a motor vehicle collision, our experienced Springfield wrongful death lawyers are ready to file a claim on your behalf.

Legal action cannot bring back a loved one, but it can secure the benefits that can protect the future of your family. Our litigation experience can help you get the compensation you deserve and need. We prepare every case as if for trial because that is the best way to prevent unfair settlement opportunities.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney in Springfield, OH, for a Free Car Accident Consultation

Learn how we can help you after a motor vehicle accident. At The Stuckey Firm, LLC, we are committed to helping our clients through every step of the process.

We will visit the accident scene, collect any available accident reports, file a lawsuit on your behalf, prepare your case for court, attempt to negotiate a settlement deal on your behalf, and represent you in court if necessary.

Reach out to us today to schedule a free case review with a member of our legal team. We will review your case, answer all your questions, and advise you of your legal rights.