According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 6.7 million motor vehicle accidents occurred in 2018. Approximately 60 percent involved only property damage, while nearly 40 percent resulted in injuries. That year, 36,560 people lost their lives in car accidents.
When you get behind the wheel, you expect that other drivers will follow traffic laws, exercise caution, and pay attention to the road to avoid putting themselves or others at risk. Unfortunately, Ohio drivers sometimes do not take safety and responsibility seriously, and their negligence can result in serious consequences.
If you or a loved one suffered severe or fatal injuries in a motor vehicle collision, an Ohio car accident lawyer could help you pursue the financial recovery you need to get back on your feet. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 to discuss your case with our legal team.
Car Accidents in Ohio
The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) keeps an interactive database of car accidents and traffic fatalities. In 2019, over 295,000 crashes took place statewide, including 1,041 fatal and nearly 6,000 resulting in severe injuries.
In addition to responding to car accidents, Ohio law enforcement agencies report hundreds of thousands of traffic violations each year. Year-to-date totals show the prevalence of certain driving violations that could lead to collisions. They include:
- Operating a vehicle while impaired
- Distracted driving
- Failing to yield right of way
- Speeding
- Running red lights or stop signs
If you or a loved one suffered serious or fatal injuries due to another driver’s negligence, an Ohio car accident lawyer could help you seek justice and compensation.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
From 2005 to 2007, the NHTSA conducted its National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Study (NMVCCS) to analyze information about the events leading up to car accidents across the U.S.
Of the accidents involved in the study, researchers found that approximately 94 percent resulted from driver error, broken down into four main categories:
- Recognition: Inattention, distraction, or failing to see another vehicle.
- Decisions: Conscious choices, such as speeding or illegal lane changes.
- Performance: Overcorrecting for poor directional control.
- Non-Performance: Falling asleep at the wheel.
If someone else caused the crash that led to your injuries or the death of your loved one, the car accident attorneys at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm could help you seek financial recovery. Contact our team today for a free case review.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
How to Determine Liability in Your Case
In Ohio, the insurance company of the party responsible for causing the accident must pay for the victims’ damages. Insurance companies often do whatever it takes to save money, so they might try to take advantage of your situation by blaming you for the accident or undervaluing your damages. An Ohio car accident lawyer can help you take the appropriate steps to determine liability in your case and pursue financial awards.
Collect Evidence
To help you prove fault in your case, an attorney might begin by collecting evidence from the scene and those involved with the accident. Thankfully, today’s technology can prove immensely helpful in these instances. Cell phone records often show the driver’s activity leading up to the accident. Those involved can use their phones to take videos and photos of the scene, particularly skid marks, debris, property damage, and injuries.
Other types of proof a lawyer may gather include:
- Police reports
- Eyewitness testimonies
- Medical records and statements
- Financial documents
- Depositions
If the opposing party’s legal team requests a deposition from you, a personal injury lawyer can help you understand what to expect and assist you in your preparation.
Establish Legal Negligence
To prove that the other driver caused the accident that left you with injuries or caused the loss of your loved one, you must demonstrate that their actions at the time of the incident meet the legal criteria for negligence. Essentially, you must prove that the driver had a duty to exercise reasonable care in an effort to protect your safety, failed to do so, which led to your injuries, and your injuries caused you to suffer significant damages for which the at-fault party must provide compensation.
Financial Awards in Car Accident Cases
Types and amounts of financial awards in Ohio car accident cases vary depending on the circumstances, but they could include:
- Emergency medical care, follow-up appointments, and medical equipment.
- Lost income if you had to stay home or in the hospital to recover.
- Loss of earning potential if your injuries left you with a permanent disability that prevents you from returning to work.
- Repair or replacement bills for your damaged vehicle and other personal property.
- Pain and suffering for your physical and emotional trauma.
- Funeral and burial expenses if you lost a loved one in the accident.
- Loss of support if you lost a loved one who provided for you financially.
- Loss of consortium and companionship with a deceased family member.
A personal injury attorney can help you assess your damages and seek fair compensation for your losses.
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Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
Car accident victims who suffered injuries and the personal estate representatives of those who lost their lives in car crashes have the right to pursue personal injury or wrongful death claims under Ohio law.
Ohio Revised Code (ORC) § 2305.10 establishes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits, while ORC § 2125.02 sets the same two-year time limit on wrongful death claims. You must file suit before the deadline hits or risk losing the opportunity to seek financial awards from the at-fault party.
The Ohio car accident lawyers at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help by getting your case started right away, managing the process on your behalf, and pursuing the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact our legal team today at (800) 794-0444 for your free case evaluation.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form