Sandusky Personal Injury Lawsuits: When An Ohio Insurance Settlement Is Not Enough
Personal injuries in Sandusky, such as those due to motor vehicle crashes, falls, or other causes, can leave victims suffering serious harm, impacting them and their family long after. In the aftermath, insurers may pressure you to accept an insurance settlement, but it may not cover your total losses.
Our experienced Sandusky personal injury lawyers offer trusted, local legal representation to clients throughout Erie County in these cases. Find out how insurance settlements often fall short and why filing an Ohio personal injury lawsuit may be the better option.
The Drawbacks Of Accepting An Insurance Settlement for Sandusky Personal Injuries
The Ohio Department of Health warns that personal injuries pose a significant threat to residents and are a leading cause of death and disability throughout the state. They occur due to what people commonly call “accidents,” but in reality, the indifferent, reckless and negligent behavior of others is often to blame.
In most Sandusky personal injury cases, insurance can help offset your losses. That works fine in some situations, but in serious injury claims, common drawbacks include:
- Once you sign a release, you give up the right to any additional compensation, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious over time.
- Insurers calculate settlements based on what they can defend, not what your injuries are actually worth.
- Adjusters move fast and often pressure victims to accept a settlement before they know the full extent of their injuries.
- Policy limits apply, and coverage may not provide adequate compensation.
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10, in most cases Sandusky personal injury victims have up to two years to pursue a lawsuit. Accepting a settlement before that deadline means forfeiting that right and can cost tens of thousands of dollars or more.
How Filing A Sandusky Personal Injury Lawsuit Changes What You Can Recover
A personal injury lawsuit doesn’t necessarily mean going to trial. While we plan and prepare every case for trial, most cases settle. However, the filing itself signals that you are serious and can impact the outcome of your case. Here’s what changes:
- Going to court involves discovery, in which the insurer must provide access to all evidence.
- Expert witnesses can testify about the cause of your injuries, the long-term medical outlook, lost earnings, and noneconomic losses.
- There’s no cap on economic damages under Ohio law, entitling you to the maximum amount for medical bills and lost wages.
- It allows you to present your full story, rather than reducing your claim to a number on an adjuster’s worksheet.
To find out more about whether filing a Sandusky personal injury lawsuit is an option in your particular case, get professional legal help today.
Contact Our Experienced Sandusky Personal Injury Lawyers
When personal injuries happen in Sandusky, you have one chance to get the compensation you need to recover in a claim. Before accepting a settlement, contact our experienced Sandusky personal injury lawyers.
We can review your case and advise you on your options. Our office helps clients throughout Erie County, Sandusky, Ohio, and the surrounding areas. Request a consultation with Murray & Murray today.
Sources:
odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/violence-injury-prevention-program/violence-injury-prevention-section
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2305.10
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2315.18