A board certified Civil Trial Lawyer with almost five decades of experience in Ohio Personal Injury Law.
When a person is injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligent driving or wrongful actions, they have the legal right to seek compensation for losses, both monetary and nonmonetary, they suffered because of the crash. If you are considering pursuing compensation for a car accident, you may be wondering: What is the average car accident settlement in Columbus? Many factors influence car accident injury settlements. Read on to learn about them.
Who Can Pursue Damages for a Car Accident in Columbus?
Anyone who has been injured in a car accident with another vehicle that they did not cause is likely eligible to pursue financial compensation for their losses. To file a personal injury claim against another driver in a car accident, the following statements must be true:
- The liable driver had a duty of care to the injured person.
- The liable driver was negligent in their duty of care.
- The injured person was hurt as a direct result of the liable driver’s negligence.
- The injured person suffered actual financial losses as a result of the injury.
Car accidents are exceptionally common contexts for personal injury cases, as they are unfortunately everyday events in our modern society. In 2025, there were over 25,000 reported car accidents in Franklin County alone. If you are unsure whether you have a legitimate personal injury case, you should consult an attorney who can give you some insight as to your legal position.
What Compensation Can a Victim Receive?
A car accident injury victim can receive compensation through filing an official personal injury claim against the liable driver or the liable driver’s insurance company. The goal of any personal injury settlement is to restore the injured person to their pre-accident state, including financial and physical recovery resources to the greatest possible extent. Generally, car accident victims can receive settlements with the following components:
- Medical expenses: The cost of medical care is an immense burden on many hardworking families after an event like a car accident. Emergency care, surgery, and rehabilitation can add up quickly, and the mounting bills can put significant financial strain on victims in a short amount of time. A fair settlement should cover all medical bills, including ongoing rehabilitation if applicable.
- Lost wages: In today’s economy, many individuals cannot afford to miss a single week of work, let alone a paycheck or multiple paychecks. Unfortunately, serious injuries like those resulting from car accidents can put people out of commission for a long period of time as they recover. Settlements should offset these losses.
- Pain and suffering: Many people may find it strange to try to assign a monetary value to pain and suffering, but this is a standard part of personal injury settlements.
Factors that Influence Settlement Amounts
No two personal injury cases are the same, and the final amount of a settlement depends on several factors that are unique to each situation. The following are some of the considerations that may have a significant effect on the total of a car accident settlement:
- Severity of injuries: More severe injuries require more extensive medical care, which is, in turn, more expensive. Some injuries may even leave a victim with permanent disabilities requiring long-term care and establishing a lifelong financial obligation. Therefore, it stands to reason that settlements for minor injuries are significantly smaller than settlements for serious or catastrophic injuries.
- Typical earnings of the victim: Because lost wages are part of car accident settlements, the more money a victim makes, the higher the potential settlement. In cases involving permanent disability, settlements can also include compensation for future wages based on the victim’s earning potential, including probable promotions and other career trajectory considerations.
- Egregiousness of conduct: In some cases, a victim may ask for punitive damages, or a judge may award such damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the liable party and are usually only applicable when the liable party’s conduct was egregiously neglectful or intentionally malicious.
In summary, car accident injury settlements for cases involving minor injuries are significantly less than settlements for cases involving serious or catastrophic injuries.
FAQs
Can I Still Recover Damages if the Crash Was Partially My Fault?
Yes, under Ohio law, a person can still recover damages if the accident that caused their injuries was partially their fault. This is called a comparative negligence law. It stipulates that a plaintiff’s liability may not exceed the defendant’s liability, and the plaintiff’s settlement award may be reduced because of their liability.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Columbus?
Yes, there is an established statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Columbus, OH, including those resulting from car accidents, in Ohio. The time limit is two years from the date of the accident, after which a victim can no longer use the legal system to pursue compensation. This is why you should hire a car accident lawyer as soon as you are able if you have been injured.
What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury in Columbus?
An injury can be considered catastrophic if it permanently alters a victim’s life in such a way that they cannot work to support themselves or cannot live alone without support in their daily tasks. Most catastrophic injury victims require very long-term or lifelong medical care, so settlements associated with such injuries are usually significantly higher than other personal injury settlements.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in Columbus?
Attorney costs vary widely across the board, as each lawyer usually sets their own hourly rates, and different cases require different amounts of time from attorneys. However, many lawyers who take personal injury cases, like car accident cases, do so on a contingency model. This means they do not require any up-front payment, instead receiving a percentage of any settlement they secure.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
If you need an attorney to help you pursue compensation for injuries resulting from a car accident, contact the lawyers at Gervelis Law Firm. Mark S. Gervelis is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, and he and the other attorneys have been advocating for injury victims in Ohio for more than five decades. They have the knowledge and experience it takes to help you.
