Were you or a loved one recently injured in an unexpected accident in Lima, OH? You and your family don’t have to handle your claim for compensation alone. An experienced Lima personal injury lawyer can help you stand up to the insurance company. Our team at the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis has the tools to help you recover the full compensation you deserve after an injury.
Our Lima personal injury attorneys have over 150 years of combined experience in personal injury law. Since we started our practice, we’ve recovered millions of dollars in life-changing settlements and verdicts.
We’re confident we can help you recover the full compensation you need and deserve. There’s never any risk or cost, so contact our law offices in Lima, Ohio, or call (419) 404-4444 to schedule a free consultation today.
Why Should I Hire the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis To Handle My Lima Personal Injury Case?
An accident will typically occur before you know what happened. One minute, you’re fine; the next, you’re struggling with painful injuries. Unfortunately, people who cause accidents rarely stand up and take full responsibility. Their insurance company will instead fight you at every turn–in hopes that you’ll back down or take a lowball settlement offer.
Our Lima personal injury attorneys are here to handle every aspect of your case. Our team at the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis has devoted our practice to fighting for injury victims and their families. We’re prepared to stand by your side from day one.
Our attorneys have been recognized time and time again for our success. We have been listed among the National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 Under 40”. We’ve also been recognized by the Million Dollar Advocates’ Forum. As proud as we are of these accomplishments, we’re most proud of the results we’ve achieved for our injured clients.
When you hire our Lima personal injury lawyers, you can rest assured knowing that you have an entire team to:
- Explore every option for recovering compensation
- Ensure you understand what to expect and how your case is progressing
- Answer any questions you have along the way
- Conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances of your injury
- Determine who is ultimately liable for paying your compensation
- Assess your damages and document your losses
- Protect you when the other side tries to pin the blame on you
- Determine how much compensation you deserve
- Bring in experts in various specialties as needed to prove your case
- Negotiate with the insurance companies for a full settlement
- Prepare to take your case to trial if the insurance offer isn’t a fair deal
We’ve been representing clients across Allen County for years. We’re well-prepared to help you stand up and fight for full compensation. If you were involved in an accident, contact us today to arrange a free consultation to learn more about how we can fight for your family.
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?
Personal injury claims allow people to seek compensation when they’re hurt due to someone else’s actions or omissions.
Personal injury claims can arise from many different types of accidents and injuries. If you were injured due to someone else’s careless, reckless, or wrongful act, you may have a valid claim.
For example, you could have a valid claim for compensation based on a:
- Motor vehicle accident
- Slip and fall accident
- Truck accident
- Rideshare accident
- Boating accident
- Construction accident
- Workplace accident
- Dangerous property condition
- A dog bite or animal attack
- Defective product (product liability)
- Medical error that amounted to medical malpractice
- Intentional assault or attack
- Police officer’s misconduct
- Property owner’s failure to provide adequate security (negligent security)
Our attorneys handle all practice areas. Give us a call today to learn more about whether you have a valid personal injury case. Your consultation is always free of charge and there’s never any pressure to hire us.
Why Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Experienced legal representation can make a huge difference to the outcome of your case.
The person responsible for your injuries is probably represented by an insurance company and their own experienced attorneys. When you hire an experienced attorney, you ensure that you’re protected at every stage of the legal process.
Here are some of the ways an experienced lawyer can help:
- Even the score. Insurance companies have money and resources. Many injury victims are in serious need of the compensation they’re seeking. Your lawyer can use their own resources to prevent the insurance adjuster from delaying or undervaluing your claim.
- Expert assistance. Expert testimony can be critical to proving various elements of your case. When complex issues arise, experienced attorneys have respected experts to draw upon to offer proof to support your side of the story.
- Defend against blame. Sharing fault for an accident can jeopardize your right to compensation. Victim blaming is one way that insurance companies can limit the amount they pay. Your lawyer will expect this and develop strategies to defend you.
- Focus on recovery. Your injuries have given you enough to worry about. Your lawyer can deal with the legal and insurance issues. That way, you can devote your energy to recovering.
Insurance companies have in-depth knowledge of the claims process. Without an attorney, they can exploit that knowledge and take advantage of you. When you hire an attorney with a proven track record of success, the insurance company will understand that you aren’t willing to take a lowball settlement.
We Handle All Personal Injury Cases in Lima
Our attorneys at the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis are proud to handle all types of personal injury claims. Regardless of how you were injured, you can trust that we have the legal experience to build the strongest possible claim.
Some examples of our key practice areas include:
Car Accidents
Car accidents are a leading cause of injury and death in the state of Ohio. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, at least 38,764 people were injured in car accidents statewide during 2024.
Most car crashes happen because of negligent driving, including:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Drunk driving
- Ignoring traffic regulations
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to pay for it. Contact our experienced car accident lawyers in Lima to schedule a free case review and learn more about your legal rights.
Truck Accidents
Accidents involving large commercial trucks often result in severe injuries. Semi-trucks and big rigs are much larger and heavier than ordinary passenger vehicles. Truck accident cases also tend to involve complex disputes over liability. Our Lima truck accident attorneys can carefully investigate and identify all parties who share responsibility for your crash.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle wrecks often occur because drivers don’t see these smaller vehicles. That’s no excuse for the serious damage they can cause. Motorcycle accident victims often struggle with severe and even catastrophic injuries, including brain damage, road rash, and crushing injuries. If you were injured riding a motorcycle, contact our legal team to learn more about your legal options today.
Premises Liability
All property owners in Ohio have certain responsibilities. When someone allows you onto their premises, they must ensure the property is maintained in reasonably safe condition. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident or due to dangerous conditions on someone else’s property, we’re here to help with a premises liability claim. Call our attorneys in Lima today for a free initial consultation.
Dog Bites
Dog bite victims can suffer serious physical injuries and lasting mental trauma. Dog owners have a responsibility to prevent their animals from harming others. If you were bitten by a dog, the dog’s owner may owe you significant compensation. Our lawyers are prepared to help you recover every dollar you deserve.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Falls are a leading cause of injuries across the U.S.
They occur for many different reasons, including:
- Uneven floors
- Potholes
- Slick and slippery floors
- Uncleared snow and ice
- Inadequate lighting
If you were injured in a slip and fall, you may have a valid claim for compensation against the property owner. Unfortunately, slip and fall cases can be difficult to prove. Call us today for help holding the negligent property owner accountable.
Wrongful Death
If someone else’s negligence caused your loved one’s wrongful death, our lawyers can help you fight for justice. Too many families are forced to grieve tragic losses each year because others are careless. If you lost a loved one in a fatal accident, call our wrongful death lawyers in Lima to discuss your case.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents are on the rise across the nation. If you were hit by a car while walking or crossing the street, you’re likely dealing with painful injuries. Our experienced accident attorneys can help you fight to recover compensation from the at-fault driver. Call to arrange your free consultation today.
Workplace Accidents
Recovering compensation after a workplace injury isn’t always as easy as it should be. Workers’ compensation laws are complex–and the insurance companies aren’t on your side. You may also have the right to sue for damages above and beyond what workers’ comp covers. If you were injured at work, call our law firm to learn about your rights under Ohio state law.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Personal injury victims often face significant unexpected costs. Those costs tend to come at a time when the victim isn’t able to work to cover added costs. That’s one reason why most personal injury law firms work on a contingency fee basis.
When you hire a lawyer, you’ll agree to pay them a percentage of your compensation award once your case is resolved. If your lawyer obtains a settlement or jury verdict, they typically take between 33% and 40% of the final amount. The exact percentage will depend on the complexity of your case, the amount of time it will take to reach a settlement, and whether your case goes to trial.
The bottom line is that you never pay unless your attorney recovers compensation in your case.
What Damages Are Available to Lima Accident Victims?
Personal injury victims in Ohio can seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate for any financial expense you’ve incurred due to the accident and injury.
Examples include:
- Medical bills, including ER visits, hospitalization, doctor’s visits, medications, etc.
- Expected future medical expenses if you need ongoing medical care
- Lost wages
- Lost employee benefits
- Lost future earning potential
- Nursing care
- In-home assistance
- Physical therapy
- Mental health care
- Property damage
- Vehicle repairs
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages are much less concrete.
Examples of non-economic damages you might pursue include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages are available in rare cases where a judge or jury believes the defendant deserves punishment. Ohio courts may award punitive damages in cases involving intentional wrongdoing or especially shocking actions. However, unless an exception applies, punitive damages are capped at twice the value of your compensatory damages.
An attorney can review your case and help you identify the specific damages you have suffered due to the injury.
How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
Every personal injury claim presents a unique set of facts. To determine how much your case is worth, our lawyers will first have to evaluate your unique circumstances.
Some factors that are highly relevant as we assess your case value include:
- The severity of your injuries
- How your injuries impact your ability to work, take care of yourself, and enjoy life
- Your medical treatment costs
- Whether your injury will prevent you from earning as much as you did before the injury
- The value of your lost wages
- The nature of any long-term disability you will suffer
- Your mental and psychological trauma
- The strength of the evidence that can be used to prove your case
- Whether you contributed in any way to your injuries
- The amount of available insurance
Insurance companies typically focus on factors that might downplay the value of your case. It’s always valuable to have an experienced attorney review the facts. It’s your attorney’s job to identify and assess all of your damages–and to fight back when the insurance company tries to minimize the amount of money you receive.
What If I’m Partially At Fault For the Accident?
Ohio has a comparative negligence law that allocates blame between all parties who share fault for an accident. When a victim is found to be at least 51% responsible for their own injuries, they lose their right to damages entirely.
It’s common for defendants to try pinning the blame on the victim. It’s one of the easiest ways they can defend themselves. These allegations aren’t always fair or even backed up by the evidence. An experienced attorney can fight back against these and other insurance strategies.
If a victim is only found to be partly responsible, their compensation is reduced. If your share of fault was less than 51%, your compensation will be reduced by your share of fault. For example, if you were found to be 25% responsible for causing an accident, you can only take home 75% of your compensation award.
Personal Injury FAQ:
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Accident in Ohio?
The statute of limitations in Ohio is only two years. You must typically file a personal injury lawsuit within the two-year period following the date you were injured. If you lost a loved one in a fatal accident, the two-year clock typically starts to run on the date of death.
There may be exceptions that could impact the amount of time you have to take legal action. It’s best to speak to an attorney as soon as you can after an injury. If you run out of time, you’ll forfeit your right to compensation entirely. Evidence can also fade or disappear over time, so it’s best to start the investigation quickly.
What is Negligence and How Do I Prove It?
Negligence is the legal basis for most personal injury cases. Regardless of the circumstances, the basic formula for proving negligence is the same.
The victim must prove:
- The defendant had a legal duty of care. Everyone has a duty to exercise reasonable caution to prevent injuries to others. The scope of the duty of care can vary depending on the circumstances.
- The defendant breached the duty of care in some way. For example, if a driver ran a red light and caused a crash, they would have breached their duty to drive carefully and obey traffic laws.
- The breach of duty was the actual cause of your injuries, meaning that nothing else intervened to cause your injuries.
- You suffered damages as a result.
An experienced lawyer can build the strong, evidence-backed case that you deserve.
The types of evidence that can be used to prove negligence can vary based on the facts but might include:
- Police and accident reports
- Video surveillance footage
- Testimony from experts
- Medical records
- Photos of an accident scene
- Eyewitness statements
- Employment records
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Physical evidence from the scene of an accident
- Pay stubs and tax documents
Searching for evidence shouldn’t be your top priority when you’re recovering from a serious injury. An experienced attorney can take the lead and conduct a full investigation.
Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?
Trials are actually rarely necessary to resolve a personal injury case. Most experienced lawyers can negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company and defendant without the need for a trial. Negotiating with insurance is usually a better option than taking your chances with an unpredictable trial.
The threat of trial, however, is what typically motivates an insurance company to negotiate in good faith. Insurance companies don’t like to risk losing at trial. They also don’t want to incur the higher expenses associated with a trial.
When a case does go to trial, it’s typically because:
- A serious dispute over who is responsible exists
- More than one party shares the blame for the same injury
- Significant disputes exist about the amount of compensation a victim deserves
- The insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith
When you’re hiring a lawyer, it’s important to determine whether they have successfully resolved cases in court before. When a lawyer has little or no trial experience, the insurance company might believe that they’ll win at trial. That, in turn, means they’ll be less likely to negotiate for a full and fair settlement.
How Long Will My Injury Case Take?
The timeline for resolving a personal injury claim can vary dramatically from case to case. Cases involving severe and catastrophic injuries typically take longer. When an injury will result in long-term disability, it will take longer to assess the extent of your damages. Until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), it can be difficult to know what to expect.
That said, different factors will impact how long your case will take, including:
- The strength of the evidence to prove liability
- The identity of the at-fault party
- Whether multiple parties share the blame
- Whether legitimate evidence exists to prove you also share some blame
- The nature of your injuries
Cases that go to trial also tend to take longer. The legal process itself can take time because we’ll have to adhere to the court’s schedule.
Contact Our Experienced Lima Personal Injury Lawyers For Legal Help
Standing up to a large, uncaring insurance company can be overwhelming, even on the best of days. Without experienced legal representation, it can be tough to even know whether an insurance deal is fair. You deserve to have an experienced advocate in your corner.
Our skilled trial lawyers at the Law Office of Michael J. Tremoulis are prepared to help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. If you were injured in an accident, call our law firm today. Our Lima personal injury lawyers have extensive experience handling all types of personal injury cases.
