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What To Do After An Accident in Columbus

An experienced lawyer can help you recover compensation

A car accident in Central Ohio can turn your life upside-down in just seconds. One negligent driver was speeding, texting, or driving drunk and caused a crash that left you hurt. You need medical  attention, your car is wrecked, and you are facing months of recovery. You may still be trying to process what happened and aren’t sure what to do next.

The experienced Columbus car accident lawyers at Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC know that injuries from a crash can impact you physically, emotionally, and financially. We also know that recovering the compensation you deserve can be a long and frustrating process. Our experienced attorneys are ready to help.

There are certain steps you can take soon after your crash that can help protect your health, as well as your right to recover financial compensation.

If you are involved in a car accident:

Call the police.

The accident may seem minor and you may wonder if it’s necessary to get the police involved. Call them anyway. Officers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Columbus Police Department or another local law enforcement agency will respond. They can secure the accident scene to help keep everyone safe. They can arrange for medical attention for people who are hurt. Another thing they will do is investigate your accident and fill out a Traffic Crash Report. This report will contain important information that can help support your claim for financial compensation.

Get medical attention.

You may think you are just shaken up following an accident and don’t need to see a doctor. But you should get medical attention anyway, for a few reasons. You could have a concussion, internal bleeding, a hairline fracture or another type of injury that has delayed symptoms. A doctor can diagnose your injuries and begin treatment so you can get better. A doctor will also document your injuries. This documentation will serve as proof to insurance companies that you were hurt. You can get examined by emergency medical personnel, visit the emergency room at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center or another local hospital, or see your own doctor within a couple of days.

Get some information.

Emotions can run high after a crash, and the other driver may have clearly been at fault. But it’s important to try to stay calm so you can gather some information. Ask the other driver for their name, contact information, insurance carrier and insurance policy number. Share your information with the other driver, as well. Do not talk about the accident itself or who was to blame. An attorney can help you sort that out later. Gather names and contact information for any witnesses, too.

Start documenting the accident.

If you are able to do so, use your phone to take photos and some video of the accident scene. Be sure to get some shots of the impact point and the damage to each vehicle. Take photos close up as well as from farther back. Take photos of nearby traffic signs or signals, skid marks on the road and any construction going on. Take photos of any visible injuries you have, also. Another thing you can do as soon as you get a moment is write down your account of how the accident happened. Include all the details you can remember.

Call your insurance company.

Report the accident – you are required to let them know. Failing to do so can put your ability to recover compensation at risk. But just stick to the basic facts. You don’t have to provide a lot of detail. If you are contacted by the other driver’s insurance company, politely decline to answer any questions or give a statement. Explain that you would like to get legal advice first.

Contact an experienced Columbus car accident lawyer.

You may wonder if it’s worth getting legal advice. But it’s important to know where you stand. A lawyer can go over the details of your crash, discuss your legal options for recovering compensation and give you an idea of what to expect if you move forward.

The lawyers at Mani Ellis & Layne are ready to fight for you. We can investigate your accident and build a strong case built on facts. We can deal with the insurance company directly and handle all the paperwork so you can focus on getting better. Our lawyers are focused on helping clients recover maximum compensation.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at our Columbus office. Or we can meet you at another location that is more convenient.

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