Pursuing Justice After A Personal Injury In Southeastern Ohio

When someone else’s negligence has caused a significant injury to you or a family member, your healing and financial recovery from the accident are usually top of mind. But personal injury lawsuits can also offer two other important benefits: justice and closure. At The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis, our Jackson-based legal team provides the dedicated support that injured victims and their families throughout Southeast Ohio need to obtain these benefits.

Why Hire Our Accident Attorney For Your Personal Injury Case?

We understand that the suffering caused by a serious accident can be lifelong, completely altering your way of life and your ability to provide for your family. As a Jackson, Ohio, accident lawyer, Richard M. Lewis and our team offer several clear advantages in complex personal injury cases:

• 40-plus years of Southeastern Ohio legal experience: With over four decades as both a negotiator and seasoned litigator, our attorney brings unmatched experience and proven courtroom skill to every case
• Zero upfront costs: We work on a contingency basis – we only get paid if you win.
• Proven results: A strong record of success in car and truck accidents, defective products, premises liability and medical malpractice cases.
• Peer recognition: Mr. Lewis has been selected for inclusion in the Ohio Super Lawyers list for 20 years, a testament to his skills, dedication and professional achievements.
• Personalized approach: As a small firm, we take on only a select number of cases, ensuring clear communication and focused attention on your unique situation.

Our legal team works with you to assess your needs and determine a claim amount that covers your present and future economic and health requirements.

Building A Strong Injury Claim

Our work with personal injury clients starts with a free consultation. However, if you are able, you can assist our firm in creating a compelling claim by doing the following:

• Do not wait to see a doctor. After an accident, get medical care immediately. Any delay gives insurance companies an excuse to argue your injuries are not serious.
• Document your injuries and the treatments you receive. This is essential to demonstrate the extent of your injuries and the need for compensation.
• Collect information related to the other parties involved in the accident. When possible, exchange names, phone numbers and insurance information.
• Take pictures of the accident site. If you are in a motor vehicle accident, you can do this with your smartphone. In other types of accidents, obtaining photos of the site or drafting a detailed description of how the accident happened can be helpful.
• Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Once you have hired an attorney at our firm, you can focus on your health and our firm can focus on interacting with insurance companies and the other side’s lawyer.
• Do not post about your accident or your physical activities online. Defense attorneys actively monitor social media to find evidence that contradicts your claim.
• File within two years of your injury. In Ohio, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years, so acting promptly is essential to protect your rights.

Because of our attorney’s extensive background in personal injury law, we are often able to secure a settlement without a trial. However, if the case must be litigated in court, we are prepared to present your case at trial.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Cases

Accident victims often have many questions when considering filing a personal injury lawsuit. Mr. Lewis, the founder of The Law Firm of Richard M. Lewis, collaborated with his legal team to provide answers to the most commonly asked questions that we hear from clients in our offices.

How Do I Know If I Have A Personal Injury Case?

Personal injury lawsuits are often related to car or truck accidents, but they can cover a broad array of situations, including being injured due to a defective product, medical malpractice by a doctor or dangerous drugs that are prescribed incorrectly. A personal injury lawsuit must meet four conditions:

1. The person or organization causing the injury (the at-fault party) must have had a duty to protect your safety.
2. The at-fault party breached that duty to protect you.
3. Your injuries were caused directly by the accident in question.
4. You suffered damages or loss – physical, emotional and financial – because of this accident.

A qualified attorney can review the elements of your case before filing a personal injury lawsuit and help you assess its chances of success.

What Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?

Calculating damages in a personal injury claim is a complicated task, but we have extensive experience in investigating an accident and coming up with a fair and adequate claim amount. We look at economic losses such as your medical bills, the projected cost of ongoing treatment or care, and the income lost during your recovery. We can also help you put a dollar value on what are known as “noneconomic losses” such as your emotional anguish or your pain and suffering after the accident.

What If I Was Partially At Fault For The Accident?

Ohio negligence law follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means you may still be entitled to compensation as long as your share of the fault is 50% or less.

I Was Injured In A Car Accident, And The Other Driver Was Uninsured. What Are My Options For Collecting A Settlement?

In Ohio, more than 10 percent of motorists are uninsured, meaning they do not carry the state’s mandated minimum insurance coverage for accident liability. If you have purchased uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, you may file a claim with your own insurer for your damages. Our firm’s attorneys can handle the details and represent you in court if that becomes necessary. You may also sue the uninsured motorist directly for compensation – insured or not, they are still considered the “at-fault” party.

How Can I Pay My Medical Bills Before My Case Is Settled?

Until you receive your settlement and your case is closed, your medical bills are your responsibility. You may be able to use your personal health coverage, the medical payments coverage under your own auto insurance policy, or (in some cases) workers’ compensation. Some doctors and other health care providers are willing to treat injury accident victims before the case is settled in exchange for their fees being placed as a lien on the settlement and paid out after the victims have received their money.

Will My Lawsuit End Up Being Decided In Court?

Probably not. Most personal injury cases are settled through negotiation between your lawyer and the other party’s insurance company. But our attorneys always research and prepare your case for litigation, so we can advocate for your best interests if negotiation fails.

How Long Will It Take To Settle My Personal Injury Case?

The timeline from accident to settlement or judgment differs considerably from case to case. If you have serious injuries, the negotiation process in your case will not begin until you have reached what is known as “maximum medical improvement” and you are released from treatment. (This does not include ongoing care needs for catastrophic injuries.) After that, much depends on whether or how quickly your attorney and the other side’s lawyer can reach a settlement. If a settlement is not possible, litigating the case in court will take considerably longer.

How Does A “Contingency Fee” Actually Work?

When an attorney works on a contingency fee, it simply means they work for a percentage of the compensation you receive from a settlement or award. If the case is unsuccessful, you generally owe no attorney fees. In Ohio, these fees typically range from 25% to 40% of the final award. Before hiring a lawyer, it’s important to discuss their contingency fee to make sure you understand the terms upfront.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

Our firm serves clients in Jackson, Ohio, as well as throughout Jackson, Ross, Scioto and Pike counties and the surrounding areas. Call us today for your free initial consultation at 740-688-2164 or use our email contact form. We work on a contingency fee basis with personal injury clients – if we don’t collect a settlement for you, you don’t pay.