When you’ve been involved in an auto accident, your mind races to hundreds of directions at once. How can you slow things down, take a step back, and best assess the situation? Sit down with an experienced auto accident lawyer. How can you make the most of your time together?
Before your meeting, consider these points. (To chat now with our team, click here.)
1. What does Ohio law encompass as losses from an auto accident?
You are entitled to more than just medical bills and lost earnings. Ohio law also allows you to recover general damages that include pain and suffering. This includes the anxiety and stress that you have been under since the collision, the nature and extent of your injuries, your limitations and restrictions and the loss of activities that you enjoyed doing. If you have any permanent injuries, you are also entitled to future medical care and treatment.
2. While at the collision scene, what information does the Officer need?
Provide the Investigating Officer with a thorough outline of how the collision occurred and ensure that you make a note of all of the eyewitnesses’ names, addresses, and phone numbers.
3. What information is needed regarding my vehicle?
Collect all of the names of the mechanics who inspected and examined your vehicle and collect all property damage estimates.
4. How can I use photos to help my case?
Collect photographs of the collision scene and all of the damage to the vehicles involved. Furthermore, document all of your injuries in photos.
5. What details do my doctors need to know?
Provide your doctors with a thorough history of all of the injuries that you sustained in the motor vehicle collision and how the collision has impacted you.
6. How should I document ongoing injuries?
Keep a detailed diary that thoroughly outlines all of your injuries, and all of your restrictions and limitations going from the date of the accident to the current date.
7. How should I handle my medical bills?
Submit all of your medical bills to your health insurance company. Most health insurance companies will pay for all of your medical bills while you are being treated. In the event that you do not have health insurance, use your automobile medical payments coverage as a secondary resource. In the event you have both health insurance and auto insurance, your primary source needs to be your health insurance. Only use your medical payments coverage as a secondary source in the event your health insurance denies a bill or you have co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses that you need to submit for reimbursement. Keep all receipts from out-of-pocket expenses.
8. What about interviews?
Do not agree to do any interviews with the adjuster for the negligent driver’s insurance company or your own insurance company without discussing your personal injury claim with an experienced attorney.
9. Regarding medical bills, what documentation is needed?
Keep a thorough record of all of the medical providers you see including the name, address and telephone number of each provider and the dates of service. Request copies of all of your records and bills.
10. When am I ready to negotiate?
Never enter into any settlement negotiations with the insurance adjuster until you have obtained a clean bill of health from your treating doctors and are not restricted from doing activities.
Speak to an Auto Accident Lawyer in Columbus, Ohio
With all of this information close at hand, you’ll confidently begin a productive meeting with your lawyer. The Law Office of Tom Somos, LLC has helped many people like you in previous cases. Contact our office today if we can be of service to you.
