Youngstown Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents cause significant strain long after the initial crash. Many victims face prolonged physical pain, emotional distress, and financial strain. They often feel confused, lost, and unsure of what to do next. A Youngstown car accident lawyer from Gervelis Law Firm can help. Our attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of injury victims across Ohio. We don’t back down when insurance companies push back. You can find us at 3790 Boardman-Canfield Rd, Canfield, OH 44406, or call 866-792-2728 for a free consultation.
Legally Reviewed by:
Mark S. Gervelis, Esq.
Last Updated:
- August 26, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Why Hire Gervelis Law Firm for Your Accident Case in Youngstown?
- Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Youngstown
- Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Youngstown
- What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Youngstown?
- What Our Youngstown Car Accident Lawyers Do for You
- Who Is Liable in a Youngstown Car Accident?
- Can I Still Recover Compensation if I’m Partially at Fault in Ohio?
- How Do Insurance Companies Handle Car Accident Claims in Youngstown?
- What Types of Injuries Are Common in Youngstown Car Accidents?
- What Damages Can You Recover After a Youngstown Car Accident?
- What Is the Legal Process for Car Accident Claims in Ohio?
- Youngstown Car Accident Statistics & Risk Areas
- Client Testimonials: Real Stories From Car Accident Victims
- FAQs About Car Accident Claims in Youngstown
- Contact Our Youngstown Car Accident Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
If you have suffered injuries in a motor vehicle crash, you deserve compensation for your expenses and losses. A Youngstown car accident lawyer from Gervelis Law Firm can explain your options, protect your rights, and represent you if you choose to take legal action.
Why Hire Gervelis Law Firm for Your Accident Case in Youngstown?
When you need a car accident lawyer in Youngstown, Ohio, you deserve someone you trust. Our attorneys are your neighbors, many having lived in Ohio for most of their lives. We know the local laws, court systems, and community, and have years of experience representing accident victims across Ohio, including in the Youngstown area.
We take a personalized and client-centric approach to the practice of law. Focusing on compassionate service, we provide each client with one-on-one attorney access.
We are dedicated to pursuing justice for each client and have a strong track record of six- and seven-figure verdicts and settlements. To further earn your trust, we work on contingency, so there’s no fee unless we win.
Successful Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements in Youngstown
Our attorneys have secured favorable verdicts and settlements for car accident victims across Youngstown. Notable case results include:
- $750,000 for a client who was traveling in a vehicle when a truck backed up on the roadway. The driver of the vehicle was hit, causing them to lose a limb.
- $450,000 for a client. The defendant failed to slow for traffic and struck multiple vehicles.
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Youngstown
Car accident claims can be challenging to navigate. Accident law is highly nuanced, and many insurance companies deliberately misdirect or lowball victims to protect their bottom lines. Having a car accident attorney from Youngstown can improve your chances of a fair settlement.
Our experienced attorneys understand the law and are committed to protecting your rights. We handle negotiations with insurance companies, so you can rest easy knowing no one will take advantage of you. With our team doing the legwork, you can prioritize healing and potentially enjoy a more favorable outcome.
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Youngstown
Our attorneys handle a wide variety of crash types, including:
- Rear-end collisions: Two or more vehicles colliding front-to-back
- Head-on collisions: The front of one vehicle hitting the front of another
- Side-impact or T-bone accidents: Intersection crashes, left-turn collisions, and other incidents in which vehicles hit side-on
- Rollover accidents: Flipped cars that often cause severe injuries
- Distracted driving accidents: Drivers using cell phones, eating, or otherwise taking their gaze off the road
- Drunk driving or DUI accidents: Impaired drivers putting others at risk
- Hit and run accidents: Crashes in which one party flees the scene
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist, or UM/UIM, claims: Crashes in which claims can be more complex to resolve.
- Pedestrian & bicycle accidents: Accidents involving non-motorists
- Motorcycle accidents: Collisions in which the rider has less injury protection
- Truck accidents: Crashes involving large vehicles
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Youngstown?
What you do after a car accident matters, even if it’s not your fault. Follow these steps to protect your interests in a claim:
- Call emergency services: Request an ambulance if anyone is seriously injured. If not, ask for law enforcement to come and file a police report.
- Seek medical attention: Get care from emergency responders if necessary. Otherwise, see a doctor as soon as possible after leaving the scene. Keep all medical records and follow all provider instructions.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the damage, any visible injuries, and location markers, such as storefronts or street signs.
- Avoid oversharing: Do not accept blame when speaking to the other driver. Try to avoid speaking with the other party’s insurer without legal representation.
- Contact a car accident attorney in Youngstown: Getting legal representation early can help you avoid mistakes and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Not sure what to do next? Contact us now at 866-792-2728 for a free consultation.
What Our Youngstown Car Accident Lawyers Do for You
Our attorneys are on your side every step of the way, from the first consultation to the day your settlement resolves. You’ll be kept informed at every stage—that’s the Gervelis Guarantee. We commit to:
- Thorough investigation: We leverage our extensive local resources and knowledge of Ohio car accident laws to build the strongest case possible. We gather medical records, treatment bills, car accident reports, witness statements, and other evidence to support your claim. Our Rapid Investigation Team springs into action quickly to avoid delays in your case.
- Expert collaboration: We work with subject matter experts, including accident reconstructionists and medical professionals, to support your claims and push for maximum compensation.
- Aggressive negotiation: Adjusters work on the insurance company’s behalf and may try to undervalue your losses. Our lawyers have worked with many insurance providers and will fight against unfair attempts to minimize your losses.
- Skilled litigation: If the insurance company resists offering a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to court. Our experienced trial attorneys fight aggressively on your behalf.
“ I don’t care if I have to wait an hour in the hospital, I will go there. I want to make that personal contact. I will be there right away. I will be there as long as I possibly can. After I leave that person, if a family member needs a ride home, jump in: We’ll get you home. What do you need? You need me to get you something to eat or drink? I’m there. We’ll get you taken care of, and from there, I’ll go to the scene. Even if the police are gone and it’s safe for me to be there, I’ll go and photograph that scene. The sooner we get it done, the better it is for you, the better it is for us to represent you.” – Investigator Frank Bennett
Our Experienced Youngstown Car Accident Lawyers
Who Is Liable in a Youngstown Car Accident?
Ohio is an at-fault state for car accidents, which means the driver who caused the accident is liable for damages. If another driver is responsible for your crash, your primary options are to file a claim with their insurer or file a lawsuit against them directly.
To succeed with a claim or lawsuit, you will need to prove that the other driver is at fault. It’s essential to have a car accident lawyer with experience in Youngstown, OH, to assist in this process.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I'm Partially at Fault in Ohio?
You may be eligible for compensation even if you are partially at fault for the car accident. Ohio follows the rule of comparative negligence, which allows accident victims to recover damages as long as they are 50% or less at fault. If you are partially responsible, you would receive a reduced award based on your percentage of responsibility.
For instance, if you were 30% at fault and received $100,000 in damages, you would collect 70% of that amount, or $70,000. If you believe you may be partially at fault for your accident, reach out for a free case review.
How Do Insurance Companies Handle Car Accident Claims in Youngstown?
When an accident victim files a claim, the company starts by assigning an adjuster to the case. The insurance adjuster will review coverage, assess the damage, and provide an initial repair estimate. In most cases, the person filing the claim will also need to get an estimate from a mechanic.
Because fault affects whose insurance pays and how much, the adjuster will also investigate the accident to determine liability. The company will use this determination and damage estimates to issue a settlement offer.
Many insurance companies purposefully undervalue claims to reduce the amount they offer and save themselves money. Consider protecting your rights by letting an attorney handle communications with insurers.
Common Things To Avoid When Speaking With an Insurance Company After a Car Accident
While it’s safest not to talk to the other insurance company until you have an attorney, there are scenarios when you may choose to speak with them directly. If so, avoid the following:
- Admitting fault: Don’t say anything that suggests you accept responsibility.
- Speculating about the accident: Stick to the facts. Don’t make any guesses or predictions about the incident.
- Discussing medical status or treatments: Even if you just walked out of St. Elizabeth Youngstown, don’t say anything about your injuries. It’s easy to underestimate your future care needs.
- Allowing recorded statements: Insurers can use these against you. Consider waiting until you have representation.
- Signing documents: Decline to sign any paperwork, especially settlement offers, without asking a lawyer to review them.
Overall, the safest strategy is to decline answering a question until you can speak with an attorney.
What Types of Injuries Are Common in Youngstown Car Accidents?
Car accident victims in Youngstown report a range of injuries, such as:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries, or TBI, including concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Bone fractures, also known as broken bones
- Burns and lacerations, or cuts
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal injuries
- Emotional and psychological trauma
These injuries range from mild to catastrophic, with some severe injuries ending in wrongful death. Keep all paperwork, and be sure your medical records include evidence of each injury and its treatment.
“If you have a head injury, a concussion, make sure you record it. Make sure the doctors write it down because if it’s not written down, as far as the insurance company is concerned, it didn’t happen.” – Attorney Mark S. Gervelis
A Youngstown personal injury lawyer can use documentation about your injury to strengthen your case and fight for maximum compensation.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Youngstown Car Accident?
Personal injury cases typically include economic and non-economic damages. Some victims also qualify to receive punitive damages intended to penalize the at-fault party.
Economic Damages You Can Recover in a Youngstown Car Accident
Economic damages address accident-related out-of-pocket costs, such as:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Property damage, including car repairs
- Home disability accommodations
- Rental car costs
Documenting all of your costs can help you maximize the value of your claim.
Non-Economic Damages You Can Recover in a Youngstown Car Accident
Non-economic damages compensate you for less tangible expenses, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If you are filing a wrongful death claim on behalf of an immediate family member, such as a spouse or child, you may also be able to claim loss of consortium. This compensation acknowledges the loss of companionship and support you would have otherwise enjoyed.
Punitive Damages You Can Recover in a Youngstown Car Accident
If the at-fault party acted maliciously or engaged in fraud, such as misrepresentation of identity, you may qualify to claim punitive damages. This special compensation exists to penalize the defendant, while economic and non-economic damages are purely compensatory.
What Is the Legal Process for Car Accident Claims in Ohio?
To be successful in your car accident claim, you must prove that the other party acted negligently. Proving negligence requires you to demonstrate four truths:
- The other party had a duty of care to keep you safe.
- The individual breached that duty.
- The breach caused your accident.
- You would not have suffered injury without that breach.
When you hire an attorney, they will begin by gathering evidence that supports your claim of negligence.
Insurance Investigations and Negotiation
The next step is to file an insurance claim, which prompts the insurer to investigate the incident on its end.
Part of the insurance company’s job is to evaluate fault. Ohio follows the rule of comparative negligence, which allows you to collect compensation if you are 50% or less at fault.
The insurer will use the information it collects to issue an initial offer, which begins the negotiation process. If a fair settlement proves impossible, our attorneys are ready to take your case to court.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
Ohio has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. The clock typically starts running on the date of your accident, or the date of death in a wrongful death claim. Connecting with an attorney early can help you avoid missing your deadline.
Youngstown Car Accident Statistics & Risk Areas
In 2024, the Youngstown Police Department recorded 1,511 crashes. Eight were fatal, and 224 resulted in a suspected injury. Routes with the most crashes included:
- IR-680
- US-62
- SR-170
- US-422
- SR-289
Youngstown also has multiple dangerous intersections, including several along Market Street. Winter snow and ice can make accidents more likely. Fortunately, the proximity of Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Hospital gives victims a fighting chance.
Client Testimonials: Real Stories From Car Accident Victims
See what our clients have to say about working with us:
FAQs About Car Accident Claims in Youngstown
How long does a car accident case take?
Depending on the complexity of your case, the car accident claims process can take several months to over a year.
Can I still recover if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
How much does a car accident lawyer cost?
Our Ohio attorneys only collect a fee if you win. In that case, you pay a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
Should I talk to the at-fault driver's insurance company?
It’s best to wait until you have an attorney, as insurers may undervalue your claim to protect their bottom lines.
Contact Our Youngstown Car Accident Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
At Gervelis Law Firm, we use our knowledge of Youngstown and Ohio accident laws to pursue the compensation you deserve. Call 866-792-2728 or contact us online today for a free consultation.
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