Car accident

Car Accident Attorneys in Columbus, Ohio

Ohio 5 firms 5 min read

The firms in this guide

  1. The Donahey Law Firm Call The Donahey Law Firm: (614) 224-8166
  2. Gervelis Law Firm Call Gervelis Law Firm: (614) 656-3566
  3. Kisling, Nestico & Redick (KNR) Call Kisling, Nestico & Redick (KNR): (614) 487-8669
  4. Slater & Zurz LLP Call Slater & Zurz LLP: (614) 756-2714
  5. Erney Law Call Erney Law: (614) 228-7455

1. The Donahey Law Firm

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, catastrophic injury cases

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: Established in 1968. Over 55 years of experience representing injury victims in Central Ohio. Multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements obtained for clients. Licensed in Ohio. The firm has handled thousands of personal injury cases throughout Franklin County and surrounding areas.

Location: 471 East Broad Street, Suite 1520, Columbus, OH 43215

Contact: (614) 224-8166 | https://www.donaheylaw.com

Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery is obtained)

2. Gervelis Law Firm

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial trucking accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims

Background: Established in 1976. Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Licensed to practice in Ohio. Extensive trial experience with focus on personal injury litigation. Recognized for handling complex injury cases throughout Ohio.

Location: 1335 Dublin Road, Suite 212D, Columbus, OH 43215

Contact: (614) 656-3566 | https://www.gervelislaw.com

Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis

3. Kisling, Nestico & Redick (KNR)

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rideshare accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injury

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, Uber and Lyft accidents, hit-and-run accidents

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical bill management, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims

Background: Multiple offices throughout Ohio including Columbus location. Over 40,000 cases handled. Licensed to practice in Ohio. The firm maintains a significant presence in Central Ohio with attorneys experienced in Ohio traffic laws and local insurance practices.

Location: 20 South 3rd Street, Suite 210, Columbus, OH 43215

Contact: (614) 487-8669 | https://www.knrlegal.com

Consultation: Free initial consultation available 24/7, no recovery no fee

4. Slater & Zurz LLP

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, personal injury, wrongful death

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death representation

Background: Over 30 years of combined experience. Licensed to practice in Ohio. The firm has handled over 40,000 cases across Ohio. Columbus office serves Franklin County and surrounding areas with attorneys knowledgeable in Ohio personal injury statutes.

Location: 20 South 3rd Street, Suite 210, Columbus, OH 43215

Contact: (614) 756-2714 | https://slaterzurz.com

Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis (no fees unless case is won)

5. Erney Law

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, pedestrian versus auto accidents, semi-truck collisions

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims

Background: Over 30 years of experience in personal injury law. Licensed to practice in Ohio. Father-daughter legal team of Robert and Mary Erney. Focus on providing personalized attention to each client. Extensive experience with insurance company negotiations and courtroom litigation.

Location: Columbus, OH (Central Ohio area)

Contact: (614) 228-7455 | https://ohioinjurylaw.com

Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee arrangement


State Claims, Uninsured Drivers and Damage Limits for Columbus Car Crashes

A Columbus car crash claim against the State follows Ohio’s own filing period and, for covered injuries, a first step through the office of risk management. Ohio law also decides when a driver counts as uninsured under an uninsured motorist policy, how much noneconomic loss can be recovered and what the other driver must do at the scene.

Claims Against the State

Under Ohio Revised Code 2743.16(A), civil actions against the State permitted by sections 2743.01 to 2743.20 must be commenced within two years after accrual or any shorter period that applies to similar suits between private parties. Under (B), for an injury covered by sections 9.821 to 9.83, the claimant must first try to have the claim compromised by the office of risk management or satisfied by the State’s liability insurance before filing in the court of claims.

Uninsured and Unidentified Drivers

Under Ohio Revised Code 3937.18(A), a policy may, but is not required to, include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Where uninsured motorist coverage is included, (B)(1) treats a driver as uninsured when there is no liability bond or policy, when the insurer denies coverage or becomes insolvent, or when the driver cannot be identified but independent corroborative evidence proves the unidentified driver caused the injury.

Limits on Noneconomic Damages

Under Ohio Revised Code 2315.18(B), economic loss is not capped, and noneconomic loss may not exceed the greater of $250,000 or three times economic loss, up to $350,000 per plaintiff or $500,000 per occurrence, with no cap for the permanent and catastrophic injuries listed in (B)(3). Under (C), the trier of fact may not consider the defendant’s wrongdoing, wealth or other punishment evidence when setting noneconomic damages.

The Other Driver’s Duties at the Scene

Under Ohio Revised Code 4549.02(A)(1), a driver who knows of a crash must stop, remain at the scene and give name, address and vehicle registration number, and the owner’s name and address if different, to any injured person, the other operator or occupants and the police officer at the scene; under (A)(3), a driver who hits an unattended vehicle must attach the information in writing to it.


Columbus Car Accident Questions

How long do I have to sue the other driver?

Two years after the cause of action accrues for bodily injury or injury to personal property under Ohio Revised Code 2305.10(A), and two years after the death for wrongful death under 2125.02(F)(1), subject to the listed exceptions in each section.

Can I recover if I was partly at fault?

Yes, if your fault was not greater than the combined tortious conduct of all other persons, under Ohio Revised Code 2315.33. For example, imagine $40,000 in damages and 10 percent of the responsibility on the injured driver: the recovery would be $36,000.

Can a missing seat belt be used against me?

Yes, but in a claim against the other driver only to reduce noneconomic damages. Under Ohio Revised Code 4513.263(F)(1), the failure is not used as evidence of negligence or contributory negligence, but the trier of fact may find it contributed to the harm and reduce the damages for noneconomic loss.