Personal Injury | Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Charleston, WV and Columbus, OH

West Virginia and Ohio Car Accident Lawyer

Fighting for Fair Compensation When People are Injured

Car accidents take place on city streets, highways, and rural roads. They can leave people seriously hurt. When another driver is operating a vehicle in a dangerous manner, whether speeding, drunk, driving distracted, or through other careless behavior, the car accident attorneys at Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC believe they must be held accountable for what they have done.

Being injured in a car accident can leave you dealing with high medical bills, missed work and many other worries. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to count on the insurance company for much relief. The insurer will want to pay you as little compensation as possible – if anything at all.

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You don’t have to face this situation alone.  We’re one of the leading car accident law firms serving Charleston, West Virginia and Columbus, Ohio, as well as surrounding communities. We have a record of securing full and fair compensation for car wreck victims and their families. Our partners are each members of the elite, invitation-only Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums. They also carry AV Preeminent® ratings in personal injury law in the Martindale-Hubbell® legal directory, the highest peer review ratings possible.

Our lawyers can immediately begin working on your case and carefully manage every aspect of your claim. Meanwhile, you can focus on what’s important – your health and your family. Throughout your case, our attorneys will pay close attention to your needs and goals and answer all your questions. It’s not just business to us. It’s personal. We want to help you to see better days.

Here are questions we are frequently asked about West Virginia and Central Ohio car accidents.

How much is my car accident claim worth?

That depends on many factors because each car accident is unique. The extent of your injuries and your recovery, the impact the accident has on your life, the other damages incurred, and who was at-fault all play a role.

A personal injury lawyer can build a strong legal case for your claim, based on the police report and other evidence. They will review your case and advise you on how to move forward. They’ll work with you to develop a legal strategy that will give you maximum compensation for the damages you suffered. These damages can include current and future medical expenses, lost wages and future income, car repairs, and pain and suffering and emotional distress.

How long will it take to reach a settlement?

While some car accident cases may settle relatively quickly, others can take months or even years to reach a resolution. The amount of time it takes to settle your case can depend on several different factors. These include the type and severity of your injuries, as it may take several months for you to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).

Another factor is the insurance company for the negligent party. They may dispute liability and argue that you were at least partially at fault for what happened. A lawyer can investigate your accident, but it can take time to gather and review evidence to build a strong case. One of our attorneys can review the details of your case and give you an idea of what to expect.

Who pays for my car accident?

Here are the ways, generally, to get compensated for a car accident:

File a "first-party" claim with your insurance company. They handle the claim and your compensation. They negotiate with the at-fault driver's insurance company, as well.

File a "third-party" claim with the at-fault driver's insurance company. The at-fault driver's insurance company deals with your claim and compensation. You need to send a letter to them to start the process. A personal injury lawyer can send the letter for you. This option is a good idea if your damages are over the limit of your policy.

West Virginia has an "at-fault" insurance system, meaning the responsible driver in a car accident is also responsible for paying damages. Ohio has a similar system. We can guide you through the process to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Do I need a car accident lawyer?

A car accident lawyer could handle your case and keep you in the loop while while you recover. A personal injury lawyer can:

  • Tally up your financial losses, and accurately project future losses
  • Discuss with your doctor the prognosis of your injuries, and any long-term consequences
  • Interview crash witnesses to help build your case
  • Fill out and file paperwork supporting the claim accurately and in a timely manner
  • Find evidence to prove negligence by the other party
  • Reach out to professional investigators, if needed
  • Negotiate with the insurance company
  • Prepare for trial. If needed, take your case to court and present it to a jury
  • Communicate with you throughout the process, answering your questions or concerns

Our goal is to fight for the results you need

Many people wonder if it is worth it to hire a lawyer after they get into a car accident. If you suffered extensive bodily injuries, lost a loved one or found yourself dealing with an insurance company that refuses to pay what you deserve, it will benefit you greatly to get help from an experienced attorney. Our lawyers will give you an open, honest evaluation of your case and explain your options.

Our attorneys handle all types of car accident cases, including:

Some cases are simple, and it is clear a driver was negligent (for example, when one vehicle is rear-ended). Others may be heavily challenged by insurance adjusters as to how the car crash occurred. Our lawyers know exactly what is required to establish an act of negligence, but we need to help with your case as early as possible after the car accident. It is crucial that none of the critical supporting evidence is lost or destroyed.

Our attorneys know how car accidents can cause life-changing injuries. Some of the common car accident injuries that our clients suffer from are broken bones, burns, scarring, head cuts, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, airbag burns, ankle injuries, broken collarbones, a fractured sternum, amputations and soft tissue injuries (including whiplash).

Between CT scans, stitches, surgery, hospitalization and prescription pain medicine, medical bills can add up fast.

A concussion, which is technically a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is another very common injury that you can sustain in a car accident. A concussion occurs when your brain strikes the inside of your skull, either from a blow to the head or a violent jerking motion of the head and neck.

Symptoms of a concussion may include headaches, confusion, vision problems, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, memory loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), concentration problems, trouble with sleep, sensitivity to light, and loss of smell or taste.

Those who sustain a concussion are at risk of suffering from second impact syndrome, a potentially fatal condition that occurs when you suffer a second concussion before you have recovered from the first concussion.

Concussions, like all car accident injuries, need to be treated seriously. If you were involved in a traffic collision, seek immediate medical attention.

Get maximum value for your car crash with Mani, Ellis & Layne

The value of your case will depend on the severity and extent of your injuries and their impact on your ability to work and enjoy life as you did before. Our lawyers will assess the value of your case after we review all your medical records and consult with medical and financial experts.

We also investigate your crash. We can help you get a copy of the accident report from the police department. This can help us determine if a driver made a left turn or right turn recklessly, went through a stop sign or committed any other type of traffic violation. We interview witnesses and, if needed, consult experts.

Our attorneys will then demand that value from the party (or parties) who are responsible for your injuries and losses. The damages that we pursue for you may include past and future medical expenses, lost income while you can’t work, pain and suffering, loss of household services and total loss of vehicle.

Our car accident attorneys have the experience and insight you need after a serious car crash in West Virginia or Central Ohio. Contact us for a free consultation. We can answer all your questions, explain the services we provide and get to work right away on seeking the compensation you deserve.

Charleston, WV

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
10 Hale St Suite 501
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 720-1000

Columbus, OH

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
20 E Broad St Suite 1000
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 587-8423