Best Car Accident Lawyers in Cleveland, OH

It depends on the type of case you have, and in which state you live. In Ohio, the statute of limitations (the time limit to file a lawsuit) for most personal injury cases is two years, although in some instances (such as medical malpractice) the statute is only one year. Because of the statute of limitations, it is important to speak with a lawyer about your case as soon as possible.

You are within your right to handle your own case, but we suggest only doing so only if your case is extremely small, with little to no property damage or injuries. Otherwise, we strongly recommend hiring an experienced personal injury attorney to handle your case. Personal injury lawyers understand the negotiation process and can maximize your recovery. An attorney can also find out about any outstanding medical bills or liens, and can potentially negotiate the amount to save you money. Lastly, attorneys understand when an expert witness might be necessary to support an injury claim and have a network of experts they rely on for litigating cases.

Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution where the parties agree that one or more individuals can make a decision about the dispute after receiving evidence and hearing arguments. Arbitration differs from mediation in that a neutral arbitrator has the authority to make a decision about the conflict. The arbitration process is similar to a trial in that the parties make opening statements and provide evidence to the arbitrator, and arbitration can usually be completed more quickly than a trial and is less expensive and less formal.

Under a contingency fee agreement, your attorney agrees to handle your personal injury without asking for any money upfront, and you agree to remit a certain percentage of any compensation you receive. Because some personal injury cases have a high expense (for example, medical malpractice cases or product liability cases can sometimes cost hundreds of thousands of dollars), a contingency arrangement makes it possible for injured parties without extensive financial resources to hire an attorney, while providing more incentive for an attorney to recover as much as possible without any risk to you.

Navigating an insurance claim can be a challenging feat after a serious injury, and without a lawyer, insurance companies will likely try to pay you far less than your injuries are worth. By hiring a lawyer to negotiate your injury claim, you have someone working in your best interest who can maximize your compensation, allowing you to focus on your recovery. Personal injury lawyers will investigate your accident claim and gather all the relevant evidence and medical records. From there, your lawyer will consider making a demand and begin negotiating a potential settlement. Finally, if a settlement is not possible, your attorney will file a lawsuit and continue litigating, which may include taking your case to trial if warranted.