How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Ohio?

Ohio generally gives you 1 year from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim (Ohio Revised Code 2305.10). Some situations change that deadline, such as claims against a government entity or injuries to a minor. Missing the deadline usually means losing your right to sue, so it's best to talk to a lawyer early.

What if I was partly at fault for the accident?

You can still recover in Ohio, as long as you were not more at fault than the other side. Your compensation is reduced by your share of the blame, and if you're found more than 50% at fault, you generally can't recover. Insurers often overstate your fault, which is one reason to have a lawyer.

How much is my personal injury case worth?

It depends on your medical bills, lost income, how the injury affects your life, and who was at fault. There's no fixed formula. We look at the full picture, including future care and pain and suffering, and we don't let the insurance company decide the number for you.

How long does a personal injury case take?

Some claims settle in a few months; others take a year or more if a lawsuit is needed. It depends on how serious the injury is, whether fault is disputed, and how the insurer behaves. We move as fast as the case allows without leaving money on the table.

How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?

Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. The first consultation is free, and the fee comes out of the recovery, not your pocket.

Home / Practice Areas / Personal Injury

Ohio Personal
Injury Lawyers

Injured in an accident that wasn't your fault? Knisley
Law has stood up for injured Ohioans since 1953.

Call for Free Consultation

Injured man talking to a personal injury attorney

Since 1953

Family-Owned Firm

4.7 / 5

74 Google Reviews

3 Generations

of Knisley Attorneys

No Fees

Unless We Win

What's at Stake After a Serious Injury

After a serious accident, the bills start before the insurance check does. Ohio gives you a limited time to act, and the insurer's goal is to pay as little as possible. The right lawyer protects what you're owed.

1-year deadline to file in Ohio

Insurers aim to
pay less

No fee unless
we win

A serious injury changes everything at once. You're dealing with pain and doctor's visits while medical bills pile up and a paycheck stops coming. Then an insurance adjuster calls, sounding friendly, and offers a quick check that won't come close to covering what's ahead.

That's the part people don't expect: the insurance company is not on your side. Their job is to close your claim for as little as possible, often before you even know how badly you're hurt. Once you sign, that's usually the end of it.

In Ohio, you generally have 1 year from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim (Ohio Revised Code 2305.10). And even if you were partly at fault, you can still recover, as long as you weren't more at fault than the other side. The sooner you have someone protecting your side, the stronger your case.

How Our Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys Help

Knisley Law handles your personal injury claim from the first investigation through settlement or trial, dealing with the insurance company so you can focus on recovering.

Investigating Your Claim

We gather the accident report, photos, witness statements, and your medical records, and document exactly how the injury happened and who is responsible, before the trail goes cold.

Proving Negligence & Damages

Winning means proving fault and how much the injury cost you. We document your medical bills, lost wages, future care, and the pain and disruption to your life, so nothing is left out.

Wrongful Death Claims

When an accident takes a loved one, we help surviving family members pursue accountability and the benefits Ohio law provides, with the care these cases deserve.

Dealing With the Insurance Company

You shouldn't have to argue with adjusters while you're trying to heal. We handle every call and every lowball offer, and we don't let the insurer pressure you into settling for less.

Filing Suit & Taking Your Case
to Trial

When an insurer won't be fair, we file a lawsuit and litigate. We prepare every case as if it's going to a jury, which is often what it takes to get a fair offer.

Injured at Work, or Now Disabled?

A serious accident can mean more than one claim. If you were hurt on the job or can no longer work, you may also have a Workers' Comp or Social Security Disability case, and we handle all three.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

Knisley Law represents injured Ohioans across the full range of accident cases, from car and truck crashes to falls, dog bites, and wrongful death, anywhere someone else's negligence caused harm.

Car Accidents

The most common serious-injury case we handle, including distracted, drunk, and hit-and-run drivers.

Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents

People on foot or on bikes have rights when a driver's negligence causes harm.

Wrongful Death

Compensation and accountability for families who lost a loved one to negligence.

Truck Accidents

Crashes with commercial trucks cause severe injuries and involve multiple insurers and companies.

Slip and Fall / Premises Liability

Unsafe property, wet floors, and poor maintenance that cause injury.

Nursing Home Negligence

Neglect and abuse of vulnerable residents in
care facilities.

Motorcycle Accidents

Riders face serious injuries and unfair blame; we push back on both.

Dog Bites

Ohio law often holds owners responsible for injuries their dogs cause.

What to Expect When You Hire Knisley Law

Working with Knisley Law follows the personal injury process, from investigating your accident to settlement or trial, with no fees unless we win your case.

Investigation

We gather the evidence, records, and proof of fault your case is built on.

Claim & Negotiation

We present your demand to the insurance company and negotiate for a fair recovery.

Lawsuit & Discovery

If the insurer won't be fair, we file suit and build the case through discovery.

Settlement or Trial

We settle when the offer is right, or take it to a jury when it isn't.

Why Injured Ohioans Choose Knisley Law

A Family Firm Since 1953

Knisley Law has stood up for injured Ohioans for three generations. You work with a firm that's built relationships, not billboards.

All Three Practice Areas Under One Roof

Personal injury, Workers' Compensation, and Social Security Disability. A serious injury can touch all three, and we handle the whole picture so you're not juggling three firms.

No Fees Unless We Win

The first call is free. We work on a contingency fee, which means you pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you. The fee comes out of the recovery, never out of pocket.

Very reliable. They are truly concerned about you. They will put everything into your case for the best outcome. I highly recommend this law firm.

Elisa, Columbus, OH · Verified Google Review

Our Track Record Helping Ohio's Injured

For 73 years, Knisley Law has stood up for injured Ohioans and their families, holding negligent parties and their insurers accountable across the state.

73

Years Helping
Ohio Families

$3M+

Recovered for
Our Clients

100+

Years Combined Attorney Experience

Aggregate figures reflect total firm activity since 1953. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Each case is evaluated on its individual facts.

We don't measure our practice by any single case. We measure it by showing up, for the driver hurt by someone else's carelessness, for the family that lost someone too soon, for the worker injured on the job. That's the work, and it's what we've done since 1953.

One of the best law firms I've ever dealt with! They are there for us. I would highly recommend them.

— Suzanne, Columbus, OH · Verified Google Review

Serving Ohio From 4 Office Locations

Knisley Law represents disabled workers across all 88 Ohio counties from four offices: Columbus, Chillicothe, Lima, and Newark. Consultations are available by phone, video, or in person at any office.