As one of the most traffic-accident-prone states in the nation, Ohio experiences significant numbers of car accidents each year. In 2022, approximately 1,275 people lost their lives in car accidents throughout the state, and thousands more suffered injuries.
Franklin County, in which Dublin is located, regularly has the highest fatality rates in Ohio. One reason for this is that some of the state’s most dangerous roads pass through Dublin, including Interstate 270 (also known as the Outerbelt) and U.S. 33, also called the 33 Smart Corridor.
If you’ve been involved in a car crash in Dublin, you could be eligible for compensation to cover your losses. The experienced Dublin, OH, accident attorneys at Oliver Law Office can assist you to start your claim.
Ohio is an at-fault state when it comes to car collisions. This means that the driver who holds the highest degree of fault in an accident is the one who pays the resulting damages.
Because the state follows modified contributory fault laws, you could still claim some compensation after an accident even if you were partly responsible, so long as your percentage of fault is 50% or less.
To claim compensation, you must demonstrate that the other party is legally liable, which means meeting a few key elements. First, you must show that the other driver owed you a duty of care and that they breached it. If they were speeding, for example, they breached their duty to drive safely and obey all traffic laws.
You must then show that the accident directly resulted in your injuries and that you, therefore, deserve compensation for your attendant losses. It’s important to note that you won’t be able to file a successful claim if you don’t receive medical care for your injuries.
Car accidents happen for a variety of reasons, but the majority are caused by driver error. Here are some of the most common causes of traffic accidents in Ohio.
Driving while doing anything else, including eating, texting, and changing radio stations, makes everyone on the road less safe. According to the Ohio Insurance Institute, there were 11,910 distracted driving crashes throughout the state in 2021.
A distracted driver will not notice when hazards appear in their path and may not be able to react in time to avoid a collision. They may also overlook stop signs or one-way street warnings, all of which can lead to serious accidents.
As in the rest of the country, driving with a blood alcohol concentration higher than 0.08% is against the law in Ohio. Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol makes drivers less coordinated, slowing their reflexes so they aren’t able to react appropriately to roadway dangers.
Similarly, recreational drugs can make drivers more reckless while also affecting their reflexes and coordination. Even prescription medications can be problematic.
Reckless driving refers to driving a car in a dangerous manner and with willful disregard for other people’s safety. It encompasses a number of behaviors, including tailgating, racing other vehicles, and running red lights.Â
Speeding can also be considered reckless driving. If, for example, a driver were to speed while passing Glacier Ridge Elementary School, they could be charged with careless driving because they didn’t obey traffic laws regarding school zones.Â
When a driver operates a vehicle while tired, they’re distracted and incapable of responding quickly to changes on the road. Some drivers may even fall asleep at the wheel, losing control of their vehicles.
Speeding means exceeding the posted speed limit and driving faster than road and weather conditions allow. A driver who’s speeding will have a limited amount of time to stop if a hazard appears on the road. The force behind a collision will also be much more significant, resulting in worse injuries.
In some cases, the driver may not be at fault. If the road itself has issues, like potholes, cracked pavement, or missing lights, the municipality or other government entities could be liable.
Because Ohio is an at-fault state, it’s crucial to demonstrate that you weren’t entirely at fault for your accident. It’s the only way you can claim compensation. With a lawyer helping you, gathering the necessary evidence becomes far easier.Â
An auto accident lawyer will be able to reach out to accident reconstruction professionals to get their testimony while also gathering the evidence that will be most effective for proving that you deserve compensation. This allows you to focus on healing from the injuries you’ve suffered.
Negotiating with insurance companies is never simple. They’ll do everything possible to keep from paying you, including pressuring you to drop your claim or accept a low settlement. Your lawyer will know your rights and fight for the maximum compensation available.
If negotiations fail, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and take your case to court. It’s never wise to pursue a case without trustworthy legal representation.
You can claim compensatory damages after a car accident in Dublin. This category of damages includes economic and non-economic damages.Â
Economic damages are intended to cover the financial losses you’ve suffered because of your accident. They include medical expenses for treatments you’ve already received, as well as those you may need in the future.
It’s likely that you also suffered property damage during the accident. Economic damages can also cover expenses if your car was totalled or requires repairs.Â
Lost wages are another type of damages you can claim. If you received medical care, you may have been unable to work, meaning you lost income through salaries, bonuses, or commissions. Economic damages can repay you for these losses. You can also get coverage for future losses if your recovery is expected to be lengthy.Â
By contrast, non-economic damages deal with losses that aren’t financial. They include pain and suffering, compensating you for the physical and emotional distress you’ve experienced. They may also reflect loss of enjoyment of life if you can’t take pleasure in life as you used to.
In cases of extreme physical or emotional hardship, disfigurement, or disability, you can claim loss of consortium, which compensates you for loss of support, companionship, or other features of an intimate relationship.
In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future. They’re typically only ordered in cases where the defendant’s actions were malicious or particularly egregious.Â
Being in a car accident is a physically and emotionally traumatic experience that can leave you with serious injuries and property damage. If you’ve been in a Dublin car accident, you need a qualified legal professional.
At Oliver Law Office, our team of lawyers can help you understand your rights and file a compensation claim, negotiating with insurers on your behalf and advocating for you in court if needed. Our woman-led firm offers reliable assistance to those suffering because of someone else’s negligence behind the wheel.
Contact us today to schedule a free injury consultation with a car accident attorney in Dublin, Ohio.
