Car crashes are disturbingly common in Ohio. The state had a car crash fatality rate of 10.8 per 100,000 people in a recent year. Even a minor car crash can cause life-altering injuries, which are expensive to treat and can affect your ability to earn an income.
If you have sustained an injury in a car accident caused by an irresponsible driver, you may have a claim for financial compensation. The attorneys at Oliver Law Office can review your case and create a strategy to hold responsible parties accountable and obtain money for your losses. We have over two decades of experience successfully representing car accident victims in Hilliard and want to help you next.
Call us today to see what our car accident attorneys serving Hilliard can do for you.
The most deadly car accidents in Hilliard tend to occur on nearby highways, such as I-70 and I-270, although a higher number of car accidents occur in residential areas close to victims’ homes. Common causes of car accidents include:
Speeding
Distracted driving (e.g., texting, eating, conversing with passengers, etc.)
Ignoring road or traffic signs
Following too closely
Failing to yield to right-of-way
Aggressive driving
Alcohol or drug use
Inclement weather conditions
Poorly maintained roads
Inherently dangerous road design
Defective products like tires, axles, steering columns, brakes, and airbags can also cause car accidents. If a car part fails during operation, the driver might lose control and collide with another car, a pedestrian, or a fixed object.
The high velocities and forces of cars in motion can cause severe injuries, even minor accidents. Potential injuries from a car crash include:
Whiplash and neck injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Bone fractures
Facial injuries
Chest injuries
Bruising and soft-tissue injury
Organ damage and internal bleeding
Lacerations
Ruptured tendons and ligaments
Burn injuries and abrasions
PTSD and emotional trauma
Regardless of whether your injuries seem minor, you should always seek immediate medical attention after an accident. The shock and adrenaline can mask injuries, and some injuries can remain undetectable without expert diagnosis. Medical documentation is also necessary to file an insurance claim, so it’s in your best interest to see a doctor as soon as possible.
In most car accident cases, the party whose negligence caused the accident is liable for the victim’s losses. A negligent driver is one who operates their vehicle without a reasonable level of care and consideration for the safety of others. Drivers implicitly accept that they have a duty to employ a reasonable standard of care when they operate their vehicles. If they breach that duty, they can be financially on the hook for any injuries or property damage they cause.
Imagine the following scenario: One driver is crossing an intersection at a green light. Another driver is texting while driving, runs their red light, and strikes the driver with the green light. The driver who ran the red light would be liable for the accident because they were not paying attention to the road.
In some cases, an accident happens because of bad road conditions or poor road design. In these cases, the liable party could be whatever entity is responsible for designing and maintaining the road, which is usually the local municipality.
If the accident occurred due to a defective car part, the vehicle or auto part manufacturer could be liable for injuries via a defective product claim. Notably, defective product claims in Ohio operate on a standard of strict liability, meaning that you do not have to prove negligence on the manufacturer’s part to establish liability — only that the auto part was indeed defective.
Liability is a tricky topic in car accident law, especially in accidents that may have multiple causes and multiple liable parties. Oliver Law Office has the skills, experience, and resources to investigate your claim, identify the relevant causal factors in the accident, and identify all responsible parties to pursue the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Like most states in the US, auto insurance in Ohio operates under an at-fault system, meaning injured parties file a claim through the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Ohio requires all drivers to carry the following minimum liability insurance amounts:
$25,000 per death or injury per person
$50,000 for death or injury of multiple people
$25,000 for property damage
If a driver carries only the minimum liability coverage, it may not be enough to cover all your losses. In that case, you can also file a claim through an uninsured or underinsured motorist policy with your own insurance provider. You may also be able to go directly after the at-fault driver to recover additional compensation.
A settlement in a car accident injury case can include money to redress the following losses:
Emergency medical bills and long-term medical expenses
Lost income from injuries affecting your ability to work
Reduced earning potential from partial or full permanent disability
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish and emotional distress
Loss of life enjoyment
Loss of consortium
Wrongful death
Insurance companies are not always easy to deal with and might try to underpay those making a claim. The car accident attorneys at Oliver Law Office are accomplished negotiators and know how to deal with insurance companies fairly but firmly. We will fight back against any attempts to underpay, and if they are unresponsive to demands, we can file a formal lawsuit to pursue your due compensation.
The fallout from a car accident can decimate your finances as well as your professional and social life. We believe the law should hold those who cause harm accountable for their actions and balance the scales of justice. Our attorneys can pursue compensation from the parties liable for your injuries so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life. We have an established track record of helping our clients secure the money they need, and we should be your first choice for legal representation.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Hilliard, contact Oliver Law Office online or call today at (614) 220-9100 for a free in-home, virtual, or in-office case consultation.
You can use these directions to reach our office at 7240 Muirfield Dr. from anywhere in Ohio.
From the North:
Start on I-270 West.
Take the OH-161/US-33 Exit toward Marysville.
Exit at Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn right onto Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn left on Muirfield Drive.
Your destination will be on the left.
From the South:
Start on I-270 North.
Take the OH-161/US-33 Exit toward Marysville.
Exit at Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn right onto Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn left on Muirfield Drive.
Your destination will be on the left.
From the East:
Start on I-270 West.
Take the OH-161/US-33 Exit toward Marysville.
Exit at Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn right onto Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn left on Muirfield Drive.
Your destination will be on the left.
From the West:
Start on I-270 East.
Take the OH-161/US-33 Exit toward Marysville.
Exit at Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn right onto Avery-Muirfield Drive.
Turn left on Muirfield Drive.
Your destination will be on the left.
