Ohio Car Accident Claims
I have been told that the insurance company does not have to pay for my car accident injuries because I was not wearing a seat belt. Is that true?
No. Seat belts do not prevent accidents and the person who caused the accident can still be held financially responsible for your injuries. Some states allow insurance companies to shirk their duty to pay by using “the seat belt defense,” and Ohio used to, but not anymore.
If you were not wearing your seatbelt, your noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, may be reduced to the extent that the defendant can prove that a seatbelt would have reduced your injuries.
What happens if the driver of the other vehicle was uninsured or underinsured?
You may be able to collect from your own Ohio car accident claims insurance policy if you had uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Also, there may be another responsible party involved, from which we can collect.
If your accident or injuries were caused by a defective vehicle, the auto or parts maker or seller may be held responsible under product liability.
If a defective roadway caused your accident or injuries, Dayton car accident attorney Castelli would seek compensation from the government entity responsible for roadway design, construction, and/or maintenance. When pursuing a claim against a government entity you typically have a very short amount of time to take action.
The insurance company made me an offer. Why should I bother with a Dayton car accident attorney?
If the insurance company offered you money on your Ohio car accident claim, you are almost certainly entitled to far more. Insurance companies are notorious for denying, delaying, and underpaying claims. One of the tactics they use to avoid paying out as much as they should, is to offer far less than you deserve in the hope that you will accept the quick cash.
If you accept it, you may be signing away you right to further compensation. It is very common for car accident victims to discover too late that their injuries will cost far more than they expected in the long term.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury or death in a car accident in Ohio, please call Dayton car accident claims attorney Anthony Castelli at 1-800-447-6549 or submit an online questionnaire. Attorney Castelli will fight hard to ensure you receive full and fair compensation on your Ohio car accident claim.