When Can You File a Personal Injury Claim?

You were injured in an accident. Can you file a claim? The answer to this question depends on several factors. While some accident victims are entitled to financial compensation, it isn’t possible to file a claim in all cases. In this article, we explain when you can (and should) hire a Columbus personal injury lawyer to represent you.

You Should Hire a Columbus Personal Injury Lawyer to File a Claim If…

There are several circumstances in which an accident can justify a personal injury claim. In general, it will be worth seeking advice from a Columbus personal injury lawyer if:

You Were Injured in an Accident

Ohio’s personal injury laws entitle accident victims to just compensation for accident-related injuries. If you were involved in an accident but you weren’t injured, then you don’t have a claim. For example, let’s say you slipped and fell at a store, but you got back up and you were fine. Even if the retailer should have taken steps to prevent your fall, the fact that you weren’t injured means you don’t have a claim for financial compensation.

Your Injuries Require Medical Attention

For it to be worth filing a personal injury claim, your injuries from the accident need to be serious. This means that they must require medical attention. Cuts and bruises might be painful, but they won’t warrant a claim for financial compensation in most cases.

With that said, your injuries do not need to be life-altering. Even if you will be able to make a full recovery, it may still be well worth filing a claim. Broken bones, concussions, ligament and tendon tears, and lower back pain are all injuries that can lead to significant out-of-pocket expenses, loss of income and non-financial costs.

It Is Possible that Another Person or Company is To Blame

In order to have a personal injury claim, you need proof that another person or company is legally responsible for your injuries. This means that you need proof of negligence in most cases. Some common examples of negligence allegations in personal injury cases include:

• Careless, reckless and distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Failure to maintain safe premises
• Failure to repair property hazards
• Failure to provide adequate security or supervision

In certain circumstances, however, proof of negligence is not required. For example, dog bite and product liability claims are governed by the law of “strict liability.” As a result, if you have been seriously injured and you have any reason to suspect that another person or company may be responsible for your injuries, you should consult with a Columbus personal injury lawyer about your legal rights.

Talk to Malek & Malek for Free

Do you think you may have a personal injury claim? If so, it is important that you speak with a lawyer right away. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Columbus personal injury lawyer at Malek & Malek Law Firm, call 888-444-7440 or tell us about your claim online now.