After a Serious Car Accident, Contact an Attorney
Elk & Elk Co., Ltd. Represents Accident Victims
For more than 47 years, our lawyers have represented auto accident victims throughout the country. Through the decades, we have witnessed many efforts on the part of auto manufacturers and lawmakers to make our roads safer. Crack-downs on drunk driving, increasingly stringent driver's education rules and innovations such as airbags have generally made our roads safer to drive.
Nonetheless, auto accidents remain a painful reality.
Sooner or later, most people end up in some type of collision involving a motor vehicle accident — or witness one firsthand. Minor injuries and minor vehicle damage can be remedied. But a serious auto accident brings pain, suffering and inconvenience to accident victims and their families.
At Elk & Elk Co., Ltd., we have seen up close the pain and disruption to people's lives that serious car accidents bring about. As the injured person struggles to recover, he or she may lose the ability to work just as medical bills rapidly increase. Emotional strain alone makes it difficult to imagine how life will ever get back to normal.
When you hire Elk & Elk Co., Ltd., our team of auto accident lawyers, doctors, accountants, economists, experts and support staff are prepared to work hard to help you obtain maximum available compensation. We negotiate with insurance companies, and litigate against them when they will not treat our client fairly. We talk to creditors. We act as go-between for clients with their doctors as needed.
Our attorneys represent victims of car accidents on a contingency basis. In other words, if we do not obtain compensation for you, you will owe no attorneys' fees. Complete the free, no-obligation case evaluation form or call 1-877-ELK-4-USA after a serious crash. Our entire legal staff is dedicated to bringing justice to Ohio's injury victims. We are serious lawyers for serious injuries ready to serve you after a car or truck wreck.
Auto Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the first thing I should do
after being involved in an automobile accident?
A:
Call 911 or local authorities immediately.
Q: What if I'm seriously injured?
A:
Take care of yourself first and mind your injuries. If you can't move comfortably, don't. If you're stuck, pinned or otherwise trapped, don't try to free yourself, as you may wind up hurting yourself worse. Allow rescue personnel to make the call once they're on scene.
Q: If I'm able, what type of information should I try to get from the other driver
after an automobile accident?
A:
Get as much applicable information from the driver and any occupants as possible, including:
- Personal Information - Date of birth, full name, address, telephone number
- Insurance - Policy name and number, expiration date
- Vehicle Info - Make, model, year, registered owner, license plate number and state, license plate expiration date
- Driver License - number, expiration date, state
Q:
What if there were witnesses
to the accident?
A:
Identify and get names of any witnesses to the auto accident who may have remained on scene. Stay put until after authorities have arrived and tell you it's okay to leave or get medical treatment. Do not go chasing after a witness who may leave the scene before authorities arrive.
Q: What if I can't remember what happened?
A: Unless your injuries prevent it, write down all you can remember about the accident as quickly as possible. For this reason, it's good to keep a pencil and paper in your glove compartment or otherwise handy. If you have a camera, take as many pictures as possible of the accident scene and the vehicles involved from different angles.
Q: What types of details should I be looking for and writing down?
A:
Jot down notes about the accident scene, including weather conditions, the speed limit, how fast you were driving, if there was ongoing road construction, if the traffic patterns had recently changed and any other helpful information regarding objects, people and activity around the accident site.
Q:
How should I interact with authorities at the scene of an automobile accident?
A:
First of all, BE HONEST. When law enforcement officers arrive on scene, get their names and badge numbers. Get statements from them about what they observed.
Q:
Why do I need a lawyer after I've been involved in an automobile accident?
A: If you've been involved in an automobile accident, you need a lawyer: 1) to protect your rights 2) to make sure you get the medical treatment you may need even if you cannot pay for it up-front 3) to help you file the related property damage claim 4) to negotiate with insurance carriers to make sure you get the amount of compensation that you will need to pick up the pieces and get your life back on track as quickly as possible.
