We Are Your Legal Advocates After A Car Or Vehicle Accident

After a vehicle accident, you and your family will need legal help to work through the problems that result, especially if there was an injury. It can be a confusing time, but we are here to help. The car accident lawyers at Colley Shroyer Abraham have handled hundreds of vehicle accident cases, and we are prepared to ensure that you get the compensation you need for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages and benefits.

Since 1977, we have been representing personal injury victims in Ohio. We understand that you may be overwhelmed, but you can rely on our attorneys for compassionate, knowledgeable representation. We are ready to investigate the accident, determine liability and hold the negligent parties accountable for your losses.

Handling All Kinds Of Ohio Motor Vehicle Accidents

According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, more than 6,000 car crashes resulting in serious injuries occurred in Ohio in 2022. Car accidents are the most common type of vehicle accident, but our Columbus personal injury attorneys represent people injured in accidents with trucks and other commercial vehicles as well. We also take cases involving injuries caused by trains and railroad crossings and injury cases involving accidents that have taken place in work zones. In addition, we have experience with motor vehicle accidents caused by collisions with cars. We represent pedestrians and people who were hit while on motorcycles and bicycles.

Experienced guidance after your car accident

At Colley Shroyer Abraham, we understand the devastating impact that car accidents can have on you and your family. As experienced personal injury attorneys, we have seen firsthand the common causes of car accidents in our state, and we are committed to helping our clients navigate the aftermath so they can focus on healing.

In Ohio, car accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, but some causes are more prevalent than others. One of the most common causes is distracted driving, which includes any activity that takes the driver’s attention off the road. Distracted driving often takes the form of texting, talking on the phone, looking at the navigation system or adjusting the car’s entertainment system. Despite laws designed to reduce phone use while driving, distractions remain a significant problem on our roads.

Another leading cause of car accidents in Ohio is speeding. Driving above the speed limit, or too fast for road conditions, significantly increases the likelihood of an accident. Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs (including prescription medications) or any other substance that impacts the ability to drive is illegal and extremely dangerous. Impairment can reduce a driver’s reaction time, impair judgment and decrease motor coordination, all potentially leading to devastating accidents.

Additionally, weather conditions such as ice, snow and rain are significant factors in many accidents in our state. Ohio’s weather can be unpredictable and can change suddenly, making roads treacherous. Whether your car accident was due to speeding or a drunk driver, our attorneys know how to build a strong case on your behalf.

Motorcycle accident representation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data indicates that motorcycle injuries are on the rise, with an excess of 4,600 motorcyclists suffering fatal injuries every year. Motorcyclists are exposed to dangers that drivers of other vehicles simply don’t face. The combination of minimal padding, high speeds, close proximity to the pavement and a smaller vehicle makes for extreme dangers when other drivers are not paying proper attention.

Motorcycle accidents often lead to severe injuries or wrongful death. The most common causes of these crashes include negligent motorists who fail to see bikers or judge their speed, distracted driving, blind spot accidents, rear-end collisions, U-turn collisions, sudden lane changes and improper obstructions. Injuries from these accidents can be life-altering, commonly including road rash, bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, paralysis and amputations.

When dealing with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, it’s important to understand the legal options available. Initially, you may file an insurance claim to recover damages. However, if the compensation offered is insufficient, a personal injury lawsuit might be necessary. In Ohio, such lawsuits must be filed within two years of the accident date. Proving fault in these cases typically involves gathering evidence such as police reports, eyewitness statements, video footage and phone data.

At Colley Shroyer Abraham, we are dedicated to supporting injured bikers by holding negligent drivers accountable. Our attorneys can thoroughly investigate your case, negotiate with insurance companies and, if necessary, represent you in court. Whether negotiating a settlement or advocating for you in court, our goal is to ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.

Bicycle accidents are common in Columbus

With ever-increasing gas prices and growing interest in “green” living, more and more people are taking up bicycling as a means to commute. Like pedestrians, cyclists are in a precarious position with respect to other vehicles. A collision can be extremely injurious. Every year, more than 50,000 cyclists are injured on the road, and fatal injuries are on the rise.

Without the body of a car to protect you, bicycle accident victims can suffer from serious injuries, whether from a direct hit from a vehicle or a car door opened in the bike lane. We handle a variety of injuries from bike accidents, including whiplash, soft tissue injuries, concussions, brain injuries, shoulder tears, back injuries and herniated disks. No matter the complexity of your case, our team will thoroughly investigate and build your case for aggressive negotiation or litigation.

After a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle, claims are typically made against the driver’s auto insurance. Given the complexities and the typical resistance from insurance companies, having an experienced attorney is essential to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Protecting the rights of pedestrians after an accident

Pedestrians have the right of way, and drivers of all vehicles need to yield to them. The reason for this is fairly obvious – oftentimes when a car, truck or motorcycle strikes a pedestrian, he or she suffers very serious injuries.

To make matters worse in these cases, insurance companies may try to demonstrate that the accident was the fault of the injured victim in an attempt to deny payout. In order to do this, they may try to get statements from the injured party or others. We have also been successful in securing benefits for pedestrians from their own automobile policies and accessing underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage. Because of this, it is extremely important to look out for your rights, interests and well-being if you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a pedestrian. We are here to help you do precisely that.

We will undertake rigorous discovery and investigation to build a rock-solid case for litigation or negotiation. This approach fully prepares us to aggressively advocate and do everything possible to obtain the compensation you deserve and need to heal, recover and take care of your life in the immediate and long-term future.

Distracted driving can lead to serious accidents

Driving while using a cell phone or other portable electronic device to talk or, more often, text is a dangerous activity that puts others at risk on the highway. Studies have shown distracted driving can have a similar impact on safe motor vehicle operation as drunk driving.

Too many people, especially the young, are unaware of the risks posed by distracted driving. Many equate it with listening to the radio or having a conversation with someone else in the car. But cell phone use, especially reading or writing a text message, prevents a driver from giving his or her attention to the road. In Ohio, drivers under 18 years of age are legally barred from using a cell phone while behind the wheel.

At Colley Shroyer Abraham, we utilize several methods to prove that the other driver was distracted at the time of the accident. Gathering witness statements is crucial, particularly from passengers who can testify about the driver’s behavior, such as using a phone or other distractions. Video evidence from traffic or dashcams, along with cell phone records showing usage at the time of the accident, are also powerful in supporting a claim of distracted driving. Additionally, physical evidence like tire tracks, data from the vehicle’s event data recorder and eyewitness accounts further solidify your case.

Drunk driving is dangerous and deadly

Drunk drivers still create havoc on our roads decades after the public conscience began to recognize the dangers presented by driving while intoxicated. Our state legislature has enacted laws lowering the amount of alcohol people can have in their blood systems and it has increased penalties. Society as a whole looks down much more harshly on drunk driving; yet, people still get behind the wheel when they have had too much to drink.

Drunk drivers need to be held accountable for the damage they cause. Physical injuries and the impact they have can change a person’s life permanently. A person may be unable to return to their job because of limitations caused by an injury. A parent may not be able to provide for a child. Drunk drivers need to compensate people for the harm they cause.

In Ohio, punitive damages, which are not available in most car accident cases, are available when pursuing a claim against a drunk driver. Under Ohio’s dram shop law, the victim of a drunk driver may also be able to pursue additional compensation from a bar or restaurant that served a noticeably drunken driver. At Colley Shroyer Abraham, we will fiercely advocate for your rights after suffering due to a drunk driver.

You Can Get The Compensation You Deserve

While we often strive for a favorable settlement, we are always prepared to take cases to trial. In fact, we are well-known for our skill and success in the courtroom. Two of our vehicle accident case results are below:

• $1,800,000 jury trial: A 65-year-old grandmother was killed when a young uninsured driver crossed left of center, colliding with the plaintiff’s car.
• $250,000 jury verdict: A young woman injured her thumb in an auto accident. The thumb injury interfered with her career as a hairdresser.

When we investigate your car accident, we will find the cause and identify all negligent parties. Whether it was caused by a drunk or distracted driver, a reckless driver, an unsafe vehicle or a defective roadway, our attorneys will gather evidence and build a strong case.

Navigating Vehicle Accident Claims

When involved in a motor vehicle accident, understanding the legal landscape is crucial for securing the compensation you deserve. Motor vehicle accident claims revolve around the concept of negligence, which requires proving that the other party failed to exercise reasonable care, leading to the accident. Key components include establishing liability, documenting injuries and damages, and understanding the statute of limitations, which varies by state.

The process typically begins with filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. It’s important to gather all relevant evidence to prove fault, such as police reports, witness statements, medical records and any available footage of the accident. This evidence will support your claim during negotiations with insurance adjusters.

Should negotiations stall, or if the settlement offered does not adequately cover your losses, the next step is litigation. We can guide you through this complex process, advocate on your behalf, and help navigate the court system to ensure your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation.

Proving lost wages And earning capacity after an injury

When an individual is involved in an accident, the economic effects are often felt for many days, weeks or even years. The financial hardships go beyond just the medical bills associated with recovery. An individual may not be able to work temporarily or permanently, therefore losing out on hourly wages or the potential to earn income at all.

Some car accident or personal injury cases and jobs make calculating lost wages fairly simple. If you were hurt and were off work for 10 days, we may calculate the hourly wages or salary you missed during that time. Other types of work make this process more difficult. For example, if you work as a real estate agent or own your own business, the inability to work for a couple of months can mean missing out on crucial sales. You may be unable to pursue leads for new clients or be unable to market your business during important seasonal fluctuations.

In short, proving your lost wages or earning capacity will be different in every case. What remains the same is your need to work with economic experts and financial analysts who can determine what you could have expected to earn while you were unable to work and what ripple effect your time off of work had on your future earning capacity.

What is contributory negligence, and how can it affect my case?

When an accident happens and you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you should be able to seek compensation from that individual for the harm he or she caused. Under Ohio law, however, there is a caveat to how fault is determined in personal injury cases. Contributory negligence is a term used to describe how much your own negligence or wrongdoing contributed to the accident. This concept can dramatically influence how much compensation you receive, sometimes eliminating your ability to receive compensation at all.

For example, imagine you were in a car accident and a jury has determined you could recover $100,000 in compensation for what you have suffered. A detailed analysis of the accident, however, has revealed that you were 20% at fault in causing that accident. This “contributory negligence” on your part can be used to reduce that $100,000 compensation package by 20%. Furthermore, if you were found to be 51% at fault (or more at fault than the opposing side), then that compensation would be reduced to nothing.

Why You Should Work With Us

At Colley Shroyer Abraham, we provide comprehensive legal representation for individuals involved in all types of motor vehicle accidents. Our legal team is backed by extensive experience and a profound commitment to our clients.

As educators and thought leaders in the legal field, we not only practice law but also contribute to shaping it by teaching other lawyers, authoring legal textbooks and serving as adjunct professors at law schools. Our firm is well-versed in the courtroom, and we have extensive trial experience with hundreds of jury trials to our name, allowing us to offer clients a realistic assessment of what to expect if their case goes to trial.

Our team includes a professional nurse, providing invaluable medical insights that are crucial in personal injury and wrongful death cases. This allows us to understand and effectively communicate the medical aspects of your case, enhancing our ability to advocate for the full compensation you deserve.

At Colley Shroyer Abraham, we pride ourselves on the personal attention and direct representation we offer to each of our clients. You will have full access to your attorneys and be kept informed about every development in your case. We recognize the emotional and physical stress involved in these cases and are committed to transparency and support throughout the process.

You Can Ask Us Your Questions

It is normal to have a variety of concerns and questions after surviving an accident. You can turn to our knowledgeable team members for the answers you need. Please read ahead to see some of the information that we often provide to our prospective clients.

How do I determine who is at fault?

Identifying the at-fault party or parties is not easy. There are many techniques that we use to investigate the accident and determine fault, including:

• Interviewing witnesses
• Reviewing photographs and video footage
• Reading the police report
• Examining the accident scene

Be aware that the other driver and their insurance provider will try to claim that you were at fault, not them. You need experienced lawyers like us who can put together conclusive evidence of fault.

What should you do after an accident?

No matter what caused a traffic incident or who may have been at fault, those involved in the crash need to follow certain steps whenever possible. These actions will protect your rights and physical safety while increasing your chances of securing maximum compensation for your injuries and other losses.

Start by collecting information

Drivers involved in an accident need to collect as much information as possible at the scene of the crash. The first data needed is the name and contact information of the other driver, the other party’s insurance provider and the policy number. It is also beneficial to gather the following information, when possible:

• Name and contact data for witnesses
• Description of involved vehicles
• Name and badge number of responding officers
• Location of the accident

This variety of data may make the insurance claim process easier because the person filing the claim will not have to search for information about the accident.

Be courteous and communicative, but avoid saying too much

Car accidents can be a hectic time, so it is easy for anyone involved to lose their temper. However, everyone should strive to be courteous and civil even in this stressful time. Making small talk with the other driver is okay and may even make it easier for everyone to share their preferred methods of contact.

While being polite is a must, drivers should be careful to avoid oversharing. For example, it can be detrimental to an insurance claim if someone admits his or her fault at the scene of the accident. Similarly, vehicle operators involved in a collision should not sign any documents unless they are for the police or their insurance provider. Signing something prematurely may make it impossible to get money from the other driver’s insurance company.

Seek medical, financial and legal help

Help can come from a variety of places. The first people who should be called to an accident are emergency medical responders and law enforcement officers. These teams can ensure everyone is healthy and safe. Next, drivers involved in a crash should call their respective insurance providers. Claims adjusters can help vehicle owners understand what type of coverage they have. Insurance providers may even be able to help speed up the communication between the two parties involved in the crash.

In Ohio, traffic accidents can leave drivers financially, physically and emotionally crippled. If a crash results in injury, property damage or death, it is important to contact an attorney who is familiar with this type of personal injury case.

What is a claim worth?

Your compensation claim should cover the current and future costs of your economic and noneconomic damages. Common examples of economic costs include lost income, loss of earning potential, cost of relocating or renovating to accommodate a disability, and property damage. Noneconomic damages include loss of consortium (a long-term relationship), emotional therapy, and pain and suffering. We can help you earn a settlement that accurately reflects the cost of your injuries.

What does a lawyer do for a claim?

In addition to negotiating for the full and fair compensation you deserve, your lawyer acts on your behalf throughout the claim. They can guide you away from making costly mistakes in your claim, expedite the claim to bring you your money sooner, and complete any complicated or challenging steps in your claim for you, so you can focus on your health and recovering from your injuries.

Do I really need a car accident attorney?

Yes. The law is immensely complicated, as is the claims process. Plus, the insurance company will do everything it can to avoid paying the full amount that you deserve. You need a team to advocate for you and ensure no one takes advantage of you.

Tell Us About Your Accident Today

After suffering injuries in a vehicle accident, you do not have to face the legal process alone. When you need personal injury representation in Ohio, Colley Shroyer Abraham can help you. For a free consultation, please call us toll-free at 614-678-5072 or contact us online.