The Benefits of Hiring a Local Attorney for Your Ohio Car Accident Case
Sometimes, people who drive through or visit Ohio get into car crashes caused by other motorists. As a result, they may have to pursue legal claims in Ohio to recover compensation for their injuries or vehicle damage. One of the first things you should do after getting hurt in a car accident while visiting Ohio is to hire a local attorney in the state to help you pursue your legal claims. But how can a local attorney assist you with pursuing an Ohio car accident claim?
Local Knowledge of Ohio Laws and Procedures
First, a local attorney will have in-depth knowledge of Ohio’s laws, including traffic laws, comparative negligence rules, and insurance requirements. A local attorney can determine whether you have a viable car accident claim against another driver. An Ohio car accident lawyer will also know the local court rules, filing deadlines, and case procedures. You should look for an attorney with experience litigating cases in the court in which you plan to file suit. Local counsel will have familiarity with the judges who may preside over your case, along with the tendencies of juries in the jurisdiction.
Familiarity with Insurance Adjusters
Local Ohio car accident attorneys typically negotiate with the same group of adjusters from each insurance company that operates in Ohio. As a result, local counsel may have unique insight into the strategies and settlement procedures that insurance adjusters use in car accident claims. Attorneys who have built working relationships with insurance adjusters may leverage those relationships to expedite insurance claims and settlement negotiations.
Access to Local Resources and In-Person Investigation
A local Ohio attorney will have better access to local resources, such as medical providers from whom you may have obtained emergency or initial treatment. The attorney can also investigate the crash scene. They will also have connections to accident reconstruction or engineering experts in Ohio who can view accident scenes or examine vehicles involved in the wreck. Local attorneys can also interview witnesses who reside in Ohio.
Personalized Attention and Direct Communication
A local attorney may provide more convenient consultations and meeting times. A smaller local firm can provide you with more personalized attention and direct communication than a large national firm can. Local firms may also dedicate more significant effort to your case than a large firm whose business model may rely on processing a high volume of cases as quickly as possible.
Stronger Understanding of Local Juries and Community Dynamics
Local Ohio attorneys may have a deeper understanding of the sensibilities of community members who will make up the jury if a car accident case goes to trial. Local counsel will have insights into how jurors in different Ohio counties view issues such as negligence, credibility, and damages, including pain and suffering and lost quality of life. Thus, local attorneys can tailor case strategies and trial arguments to the specific attitudes and expectations in a particular community. A local car accident lawyer may also have better insights into selecting jurors who may take a more sympathetic view of a plaintiff’s case.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Today
When you get hit while driving in or through Ohio, you may need to pursue a legal action in the state. Hiring local counsel can provide you with the support you need to recover compensation from an at-fault driver. Contact Kitrick, Lewis & Staley-Sladek Co., L.P.A. today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a car accident attorney to learn more about the advantages of hiring a local attorney when you get hurt in a crash in Ohio.
