Were you injured in a car accident in Lima, OH? If so, you may be left dealing with serious injuries, costly medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. If you were hurt due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve justice and fair compensation.
At the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis, we are committed to helping car accident victims navigate the legal system. We help our clients secure the compensation they need to move forward with their lives.
With 150 years of combined legal experience, our skilled Lima car accident lawyers are here to fight for your rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and take your case to court if necessary. We have recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
Over the years, we’ve developed the skills and resources to help car accident victims recover successfully. We can help you, too. Contact our law firm today at (419) 404-4444 to schedule a no-risk, no-obligation consultation.
How the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis Can Help You After a Car Accident in Lima, OH
After a car accident in Lima, Ohio, you may feel overwhelmed by legal and financial concerns. Our dedicated legal team will take the burden off your shoulders and handle every aspect of your case. This includes:
- Conducting a thorough investigation to gather evidence, such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals to support your case
- Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies to ensure you receive full compensation
- Representing you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached
The American Association for Justice, The National Trial Lawyers, the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers, and other reputable local and national legal organizations have recognized members of our legal team for our skills and advocacy.
Our goal is to help you recover the maximum compensation available under Ohio law. This will allow you to focus on your health and recovery.
You can leave the legal complexities to our dedicated Lima personal injury attorneys. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Insurance companies are not on your side. These large companies will try to minimize payouts or deny your claim altogether. Without a skilled car accident lawyer, you may receive far less than you deserve.
An attorney can do the following for you:
- Protect your rights and prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of you
- Accurately calculate your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering
- Build a strong case using evidence and expert testimony
- Increase your chances of securing a fair settlement or winning in court
Having an experienced Lima car accident lawyer on your side can make all the difference in your case. Don’t take any chances with your case. Make sure you have a skilled lawyer in your corner.
How Much Money Can I Get From a Car Accident Case?
The amount of compensation you can recover depends on several factors. Some of the considerations you and your personal injury lawyer will have to weigh include:
- The severity of your injuries
- The cost of your medical treatment (past and future)
- The extent of lost income due to your injuries
- The emotional and physical pain you have endured
- The degree of your fault in the accident
Every case is unique. We will evaluate all aspects of your claim to determine the appropriate value for your injuries and losses.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit?
Ohio has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including car accident cases. Under Ohio law, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. You may lose your right to seek compensation if you miss the deadline.
Delaying the filing of your claim can also jeopardize critical evidence. Waiting too long can put you at risk of losing important documents, photographs, or video evidence.
Long delays can also impact the memories of eyewitnesses. Don’t take any risks with your case. It is crucial to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
What Types of Compensation Are Available After a Car Accident?
You may be able to receive economic and non-economic damages for your injuries. Economic damages represent financial losses that can be calculated. Non-economic damages are losses related to pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the at-fault party acted with extreme recklessness or malice. These damages are not available in all cases, so make sure to discuss your case with an experienced Lima car accident lawyer.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the tangible financial losses resulting from the accident, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Loss of earning capacity
- Rehabilitation costs
Bills, receipts, and other documentation can be used to support these damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more subjective but just as important. These damages can include compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
Oftentimes, these damages are harder to quantify and calculate.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
At the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis, we understand how stressful the prospect of hiring a lawyer can be. We believe that everyone, regardless of finances, should be able to afford quality legal representation. This is why we work on a contingency fee basis. This fee structure guarantees that you will only pay us if we recover compensation on your behalf.
Our fee arrangement means:
- No Upfront Fees: You pay nothing unless we win your case.
- Free Consultation: We will review your case at no charge.
- Fees Come From Your Settlement: If we win, our fees are a percentage of your compensation.
Our fees are fair, reasonable, and affordable. We are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality legal counsel, regardless of their financial situation. During your free initial case review, you can speak with one of our lawyers about our contingency fee arrangement.
Can I Get Money If I Was Partly At-Fault for My Car Accident?
Yes. Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under Ohio law, you can still recover compensation for a car accident as long as you were less than 51% at fault. However, your total compensation will be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to you.
For example, if you were 25% at fault and awarded $100,000, you would receive $75,000. It is a common legal tactic for insurance companies to try to shift blame onto the accident victim. We will work diligently to defend you from unwarranted blame. At the same time, we will seek the maximum compensation available to you under Ohio law.
Will My Car Accident Case Go to Trial?
Most car accident cases are settled outside of the courtroom. In fact, most cases are resolved through negotiation and settlement. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial.
Our attorneys will negotiate aggressively, but we are ready to fight for your rights in court if needed. We don’t shy away from courtroom advocacy. Some attorneys are ill-equipped to argue in the courtroom, but we will never be bullied into a settlement for less than you deserve. Our battled-tested car accident attorneys are trial-ready for our clients, so you can have confidence throughout your legal proceedings.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Lima, OH?
After a car accident, taking appropriate measures to protect your health and claim is important. Take the following steps to give yourself the best chance of success:
- Call 911 and report the accident.
- Seek medical attention even if you don’t feel injured right away.
- Gather evidence (photos of the scene, vehicles, and injuries).
- Exchange information with the other driver(s) and witnesses.
- Avoid admitting fault at the scene.
- Contact a car accident lawyer before speaking with insurance companies.
Following these simple steps after an accident will give you the best chance for a successful claim. Taking these simple measures will preserve evidence, protect the integrity of your case, and help you on the road to recovery.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
No two car accidents are exactly the same. However, car accident claims do share some similarities. Our experienced lawyers have handled virtually every type of accident case. Our skills and experience can benefit your case.
Some of the car accident cases that we have handled include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on crashes
- Intersection accidents
- Rollover accidents
- T-bone collisions
It doesn’t matter how your accident occurred. Under Ohio law, you can receive compensation if someone acted negligently or carelessly. We can help you prove the essential elements of a negligence claim.
We will research applicable law to determine the duty of care you were owed and gather essential evidence to demonstrate that the defendant breached their duty and directly caused your injuries. Lastly, we will bolster your claim by proving the extent and severity of your damages.
Who Could Be Liable for My Injuries Resulting From a Car Accident?
In simple vehicle collisions (e.g., rear-end accidents), determining liability for an accident can be a straightforward task. However, some accidents involve multiple vehicles that share in the blame for resulting damages. In other cases, employers may be liable for damages caused by commercial drivers.
Depending on the facts of your case, potentially liable parties may include:
- Negligent drivers
- Employers of commercial drivers
- Vehicle manufacturers (if a defect contributed to the crash)
- Government entities (if poor road conditions played a role in the accident)
We will investigate the circumstances of your accident to determine which parties are responsible. Once we have identified the liable parties, we will pursue compensation to the fullest extent provided under Ohio law.
What Are Common Types of Car Accident Injuries?
Car accidents can leave injured victims with pain and suffering. While some minor car crashes may result in only temporary or superficial injuries, more severe accidents can result in life-altering damages.
We have helped clients recover compensation for injuries such as:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns and scarring
- Internal organ damage
- Nerve damage
- Permanent disability
- Wrongful death
If your loved one was tragically killed as a result of a car accident, our car accident lawyers can assist your family with a wrongful death claim. No lawsuit can erase the pain of a lost loved one, but a legal claim can help your family obtain closure by honoring your lost loved one and holding the negligent party accountable.
We can help your family recover compensation to assist with the costs of medical treatment, funeral expenses, and lost earnings. Let us help you hold the wrongdoer accountable for causing the untimely death of your loved one.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Ohio?
Car accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, but most crashes result from preventable human errors or reckless driving behaviors. Understanding the most common causes of car accidents can help you stay safe on the road. You will be able to recognize when another driver’s negligence may have contributed to your crash. Below are some of the leading causes of car accidents in Lima, Ohio.
Speeding
Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions is a leading cause of car accidents. Speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time, making stopping suddenly or avoiding a collision harder. In Ohio, speed limits vary by roadway, but exceeding these limits increases the likelihood of an accident and amplifies the severity of injuries.
Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the most reckless behaviors a driver can engage in. Alcohol impairs judgment, reaction time, and motor skills. This can make it extremely dangerous for an intoxicated individual to operate a vehicle.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has become one of the most common and dangerous causes of accidents. This is particularly true with the rise of smartphone usage. Any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road, such as texting, eating, adjusting the GPS, or talking to passengers, can lead to devastating crashes.
Running Red Lights and Stop Signs
Failing to obey traffic signals and stop signs is another leading cause of accidents in Lima, Ohio. Intersections are particularly dangerous, as drivers who run red lights or fail to yield can cause T-bone (side impact) collisions, which can be especially deadly.
Tailgating
Ohio law requires drivers to maintain a safe following distance between vehicles. However, many drivers tailgate, especially on highways and busy streets. When a driver follows too closely, they reduce their ability to react if the car in front suddenly brakes.
Fatigued Driving
Drowsy or fatigued driving is a frequent cause of car accidents. Studies have shown that driving while extremely tired can be as dangerous as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Fatigued drivers have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and a higher likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel.
Poor Weather Conditions
Ohio’s weather can be unpredictable. Rain, snow, and ice create hazardous driving conditions. Slippery roads increase the likelihood of skidding, losing control, or hydroplaning. This can become extremely dangerous when drivers fail to adjust their speed.
Vehicle Defects and Mechanical Failures
Sometimes, car accidents are caused by something other than driver negligence. Mechanical failures or defective vehicle parts cause some accidents. Common vehicle-related causes include brake failures, tire blowouts, malfunctioning airbags or seatbelts, and faulty steering or suspension systems.
Improper Lane Changes and Merging Accidents
Drivers who fail to signal, check their blind spots, or yield the right of way when changing lanes can cause serious accidents. Improper lane changes are especially dangerous on highways, where vehicles are traveling at high speeds.
Reckless or Aggressive Driving
Reckless driving includes a variety of dangerous behaviors like excessive speeding, weaving between lanes, tailgating, or brake checking. Aggressive drivers put everyone on the road at risk. Ohio law penalizes reckless driving, and if an aggressive driver caused your accident, they could face both civil liability and criminal charges.
The Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis is here to help you prove negligence in your car accident case and fight for the maximum recovery you deserve.
Lima Car Accident Statistics
Lima is the county seat of Allen County in Ohio. In 2024, there were 2,838 crashes in Allen County. Nine fatalities and 951 injuries occurred. Additionally, 2,168 of these crashes caused property damage.
The number of fatalities (9) represents a departure from the ten-year rolling average of 12 fatalities.
Call Our Lima Car Accident Attorneys Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Lima, Ohio, don’t wait to seek legal help. The Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Don’t let the at-fault driver or their insurance company undervalue your claim. Call our Lima car accident attorneys today for a free consultation. Let us help you pursue justice and financial recovery for your injuries.
