Every time you get on the road, you face the danger of getting into a collision. In 2022 alone, Ohio experienced 1,278 traffic accident fatalities — with 118 of those fatalities occurring in Franklin County. Driver errors, road conditions, and even the weather can increase your chances of getting into an accident. Fortunately, if you do suffer injuries in a collision, you have options under Ohio law.
At Oliver Law Office, our skilled team of Gahanna car accident lawyers can help you recover damages if you’ve suffered injuries and other losses. Our women-led firm has earned a solid reputation for effective representation clients can trust. Contact us today to learn how we can make a difference in your case.
Ohio operates under a fault-based system when it comes to traffic accidents. This means that whoever holds the majority of the fault for the accident is liable for all losses. If you’re in an accident, you must file against the other party’s insurance company.
Crucially, the state also follows modified comparative negligence laws, which allow you to recover damages if you were partly at fault for the accident — as long as you hold no more than 50% of the fault. Your winnings will be decreased by the percentage of fault you have.
It’s essential, therefore, to have an experienced advocate on your side who can establish that the other person was negligent. To do so, your lawyer will first demonstrate that the defendant owed you a duty of care they breached. Everyone on the road owes others the responsibility of driving safely and obeying all traffic laws. Doing anything that breaks the law or puts you in danger is a breach.
We can then secure evidence to prove that the breach led you to suffer injuries for which you can be compensated. If you only suffer a bruise that doesn’t need medical care, you can’t file a claim.
Keep in mind that you have a limited timeline to file a claim. Most people have two years to do so, but there are circumstances in which you may have less time. If you miss the deadline, you won’t be able to get compensation. We can ensure important deadlines like this don’t pass you by.
Although car accidents can occur for a number of reasons, driver errors tend to be the most common. Here are some of the most frequent reasons for collisions in Gahanna and throughout Franklin County.
Distracted driving is an issue in the state and throughout the country. If you’re getting ready to merge on US-62 but the driver of the car next to you is busy texting, they won’t see you, which could lead to a collision.
Although using a phone and driving is perhaps the most common cause of distracted driving, a driver performing personal hygiene tasks or changing the radio station can also be problematic.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is another common cause of crashes. These substances can make drivers more reckless while affecting their coordination and reflexes.
Someone tired behind the wheel of a motor vehicle is a danger to themselves and others on the road. They can be distracted by trying to keep themselves awake and can have slowed reaction times, making accidents much more likely. In the most serious cases, a driver can fall asleep and lose control of the vehicle.
Reckless driving refers to driving a vehicle with a disregard for the safety of others. It can include behaviors like running red lights or stop signs, racing other cars, and rapidly changing lanes.
A driver going above the speed limit or driving too fast for weather or road conditions will have a harder time avoiding hazards. The impact of a collision will also be much greater, leading to more serious injuries.
Sometimes, it’s not the driver but the vehicle that causes the accident. The liable party is likely the manufacturer if the car has defective parts, like malfunctioning brakes.
If the roads have significant potholes or uneven pavement issues, a driver can lose control of their car. This can easily lead to collisions. In those instances, whoever’s in charge of the roads is the liable party. Usually, that’s a government entity.
If you’ve been in a car accident, knowing what you need to do immediately after can protect you and help you begin your car accident claim correctly.
The first thing you need to do is to ensure that you and any other vehicle occupants are safe. Then, do a quick assessment for injuries. If you notice that you’re in pain or bleeding or if you think you hit your head during the accident, stay still and wait for emergency services to arrive.
Let the EMTs examine you even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured. They’ll be able to spot signs of concussions or other injuries that the shock of the accident may have masked. If you need to go to the hospital, do so immediately.
In instances when you’re well enough to remain at the site of the accident, make sure you call the police and report the crash. This will create a police report essential for a car accident claim.
You should exchange information with the other party but don’t mention fault. If there were witnesses, get their information so you can ask them for their testimony later on.
Take plenty of photos and videos of the vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries. This can be crucial evidence for your claim. You must also let your insurer know you’ve been in an accident. Keep this conversation as short as possible.
One of the most vital steps you can take is to call our team of Gahanna car accident lawyers at Oliver Law Office. We can help you get started on your claim quickly.
You can receive economic and non-economic damages by filing a personal injury claim. Economic damages compensate you for financial losses, including medical expenses and lost wages. If you need ongoing rehabilitation or other medical care, you can get coverage for these future expenses, too, along with loss of earning potential if you can’t return to work.
Non-economic damages compensate you for losses that aren’t financial. These can include pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. If a loved one died in the accident, you can also claim loss of consortium, which compensates you for the loss of companionship and support.
If you’ve been in a car accident resulting from someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct in Ohio, you have the right to file a personal injury claim. At Oliver Law Office, our team of car accident lawyers has years of experience helping Gahanna accident victims recover damages for the harm they’ve suffered.
Contact us to schedule your consultation today.
