When you are injured in a serious car crash in Ohio, you need to be thinking about filing a car accident lawsuit in order to seek damages. Although you may be able to obtain some compensation by filing an auto insurance claim, issues such as insurance limits can prevent you from receiving compensation that fully covers all of your losses, from hospital bills and lost pay to non-economic losses like the loss of enjoyment of life due to your disability, or your pain and suffering.
When an auto insurance claim does not get you the money you need, a car accident lawsuit can allow you to seek the damages you deserve. The following are five things I want to make sure you know about damages in an Ohio car accident lawsuit.
I Will Help You Seek Two Kinds of Compensatory Damages
When you file your lawsuit, we will likely seek two types of compensatory damages — economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages will compensate you for your direct losses that are financial in nature, such as your medical expenses and lost wages. Noneconomic damages will compensate you for intangible losses like the pain you have experienced because of the injury.
Your Noneconomic Damages Could Be Capped
Under Ohio law, noneconomic damages may be capped at $250,000 or three times the amount of the economic damages you receive—whichever of the two amounts is higher. However, even if you are entitled to more than $250,000 based on your economic damages award, your noneconomic damages will be capped at a maximum of $350,000 (or $500,000 for more than a single plaintiff) unless you suffered catastrophic injuries.
In cases involving catastrophic injuries, your noneconomic damages will not be capped.
You Could Be Eligible for Punitive Damages
Depending upon the circumstances surrounding the accident, you could be eligible to seek punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages under Ohio law, if the accident resulted from especially reckless and harmful behavior from the defendant.
Your Damages Award Could Be Reduced by Contributory Fault
Contributory can result in your damages award being reduced by your percentage of fault. Or, if you are 51% or more to blame, you can be denied any recovery. I can help you fight allegations of contributory fault.
You Will Not Be Eligible for Damages if You Do Not Get Your Claim Filed Quickly
According to Ohio law, your car accident lawsuit will need to be filed within two years from the date the crash occurred. If you do not file your lawsuit within this time window set by the state’s personal injury statute of limitations, you will not be eligible for damages at all. Do not make the mistake of waiting too long to file your claim and ending up with a time-barred lawsuit.
Contact Me for Help with Your Car Accident Lawsuit
Car accidents caused by careless and reckless drivers can be devastating. Not only can you end up with seemingly insurmountable medical bills and lost wages due to your inability to work, but you have probably suffered serious non-economic losses, as well.
I want to do everything I can to help you obtain fair and reasonable damages for your losses, from hospital expenses to compensation for your pain and suffering. Do not hesitate to get in touch with me today to find out more about the steps we can take to begin working on your car accident lawsuit. I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my firm today at 877.944.4373 for assistance.