Car Wreck Lawyers, can they help? An experienced and resourceful Cincinnati car accident lawyer can assist you in more ways than one. The Queen City – Cincinnati – is home to nearly 300,000 residents within the city and an estimated 2.1 million residents within its metro area according to the 2010 U.S. census. This makes Cincinnati Ohio’s third-largest city. Founded in 1788, several major interstates run through and around Cincinnati including I-75, I-71, and I-275.
Despite the presence of these multi-lane highways, many streets and roads in downtown Cincinnati and in the many suburbs of Cincinnati result in a large number of cars were traveling in very close proximity to one another. This means that Cincinnati drivers and those who must drive through Cincinnati are at a significant risk of being involved in a car crash.
Cincinnati Car Accident Lawyers – Statistics
The Ohio Department of Public Safety maintains statistics and data concerning vehicle accidents that occur throughout the state. Between January 2014 and December 2014, the Ohio Department of Public Safety determined that:
- There were a total of 11,442 crashes;
- This number included 2,803 injury crashes resulting in 3,922 injuries; and
- This number also included 21 fatal crashes resulting in 22 fatalities; and
- A total of 8,618 car crashes that resulted only in damage to property.
We have Auto Accident lawyers ready to help in Cincinnati, Ohio
These statistics demonstrate a sobering truth about car crashes: oftentimes a single crash can result in multiple injuries or fatalities. As experienced car accident lawyers, we recognize that this means not only are you at risk of being injured or killed in a car accident but so are any passengers who are riding in your car.
Common Causes of Cincinnati Car Accidents
Some car crashes are truly an accident: unavoidable and unforeseeable. More often than not, however, car crashes are the result of one or more individuals who have behaved in a careless or reckless manner. A professional car accident lawyer will tell you that determining the precise cause or causes of your car crash is an essential step in concluding whether you are able to bring a car crash lawsuit against other individuals or entities in order to recover compensation for your injuries.
A Cincinnati car accident may be found to be the result of:
Distracted driving
Texting while driving takes the driver’s eyes and attention off of the road and other vehicles thereon. If the vehicle is traveling at 55 miles per hour, the car can travel as far as the length of a football field in the time it takes the driver to read a single text message. A car accident lawyer will explain that texting while driving is only one type of distracted driving. Drivers can be distracted because they are carrying on a conversation with another person (either a passenger or someone on the telephone), attending to noisy, rambunctious, or fussy children, or because they are searching for that perfect tune on the radio. Taking one’s attention off of the various tasks associated with driving – even for a brief moment – is a careless act that can result in a car crash.
Impaired driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other organizations such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) maintain statistics that tend to indicate that the national incidence rate of impaired driving is decreasing. While this is good news overall, it does little to change the reality that an impaired driver is a deadly force that can wreak havoc on the road. Our car accident lawyers realize that most Ohioans are familiar with the 0.08 alcohol limitation concentration, the truth is that a person can be dangerously impaired by alcohol without ever reaching the 0.08 level. Certain drugs like marijuana and other depressants can have an impairing effect on a driver that is similar to alcohol. When alcohol is combined with other drugs, the person can become even more impaired. A driver who consumes impairing substances like alcohol or drugs (even prescription or over-the-counter drugs) and gets behind the wheel is behaving in a careless manner.
Unsafe driving
Traffic rules, laws, and regulations are designed with one purpose in mind: safety. Running red lights or stop signs, speeding too fast for the prevailing road conditions, and “tailgating” (following another vehicle too closely) are the result of conscious decisions made by individuals who believe that, in that particular moment, they should not be required to obey that particular law. In doing so, the driver puts his or her time and/or convenience above the safety of not only the driver but his or her passengers and/or others who are on the road. If a police report or eyewitness evidence establishes that one driver clearly disobeyed a well-known and established “rule of the road,” this can be very powerful evidence for a car accident lawyer because it suggests negligent behavior.
Mechanical defects
Sometimes the driver of a vehicle may not be to blame for causing an accident but instead the manufacturer of his or her vehicle and/or a part of the vehicle. In recent times, airbag manufacturers have been sanctioned for manufacturing defective automobile parts, but they are not alone. In the past, certain car manufacturers and part manufacturers have ignored safety concerns and in doing so have caused car accidents that have seriously hurt and (in some cases) killed individuals. Even where a car or part manufacturer designs a safe product if the manufacturer does not exercise tight control over its manufacturing processes a defect may result from parts or cars being produced that are not manufactured according to the design. Our staff of car accident lawyers are very aware of the risk that mechanical defects can present.
Poor road/highway maintenance or design
Certain civil authorities have responsibilities for designing roadways that are safe to use and that allow for the reasonably safe movement of traffic. When these authorities fail to meet these obligations – for example, failing to fix a failed portion of roadway in a timely manner or designing a highway onramp that is dangerous for merging traffic – catastrophic injuries and death can occur.
Unless all causes of your car crash are uncovered and all responsible parties identified, you may be limited in your ability to recover compensation. The amount of time and resources it takes in order to fully investigate the cause or causes of a car accident are often far beyond the capabilities of car injury victims. That is why it is vital to hire an experienced and resourceful Cincinnati car accident lawyer to assist you in evaluating and presenting your case.
Ohio Car Accident Lawyers has helped numerous car injury victims in the Cincinnati area and throughout Ohio pursue compensation from those whose careless or reckless acts contributed to the victims’ injuries.
What Should I do after a Car Accident in Cincinnati?
A car accident can be a very traumatic experience. Apart from the damage to your vehicle, you may also suffer injuries. Even in less serious accidents, whiplash is a common form of injury that can cause nausea, disorientation, and pain.
It is important to take the right steps in the wake of an accident. Here is a quick rundown of the basic measures you should take after a car crash. Following these steps can ensure your safety and help you file a claim for damages later.
Get Medical Help
A car crash can result in broken bones and other injuries. Some injuries are immediately visible but some take days or weeks to become apparent. This is particularly true for internal head injuries. This is why you must seek immediate medical help and care in the wake of an accident. After a preliminary medical checkup, make sure you also see a doctor for a more detailed examination.
Contact the Authorities
If you are conscious and able to make a call, you should notify the authorities after an accident. If another crash victim is more seriously injured, be sure to call an ambulance. You should also call the police and tell them about the place and time of the accident. Once the police arrive, cooperate with them and provide them with the facts. However, it is best to abstain from commenting on who was responsible for the accident.
Note the Eyewitnesses
Eyewitnesses play a central role in determining who was at fault in an accident. When you file a damages claim, your claim will be checked against the accounts of eyewitnesses. This is why it is vital that you note the details of the eyewitnesses of the car accident. Get their phone numbers, addresses, and contact information so that you can get in touch with them later.
Gather Relevant Evidence
It is important that you gather as much evidence as possible related to the car accident. The best way to do so is to use your phone. If your phone has a camera, be sure to record videos of the scene of an accident. Also, take as many photographs as possible from different angles. The photographs should cover the damaged vehicles, injuries and other evidence related to the crash. Such evidence will immensely help your car accident attorney in filing a damages claim later.
Notify your Insurance Company
Most insurance companies require policyholders to immediately notify them about a car accident. To be on the safe side, contact your policy carrier as soon as possible and tell them about the crash. As with the police statement, do not admit fault or pin responsibility on a specific person. If the insurance company asks you to sign any documents or provide a recorded statement, consult an attorney first. If you do not take due precautions, you may be forced to accept a settlement that is a lot smaller than what you deserve.
Get in Touch With a Car Accident Attorney
It is vitally important to get in touch with a car accident attorney after a car crash. You will be pressed by insurance companies to provide a statement. If you do so without an attorney’s guidance, you may jeopardize your damages claim. An attorney will help you record suitable statements and file for the right amount of damages. He or she will also negotiate with the insurance company and fight for your rights until you get the compensation.
Car Accident in Cincinnati
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were a total of 65,067 traffic crashes in Ohio during 2018. The total injuries caused by traffic accidents during 2018 stood at 17,853. In all, there were 1,057 traffic fatalities during the year. Of these, more than 400 could be attributed to alcohol-related accidents.
In fact, alcohol remains a leading cause of traffic accidents and fatalities. A report by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) states that there have been 3,637 alcohol-related fatalities in Ohio between 2003 and 2012. Ohio has an above-national-average ratio of drunk drivers, at 2.2% of the drivers. This means that even when you are driving safely, you may be at risk from the other drivers.
If you have suffered an accident in Cincinnati, Ohio, you may be eligible for damages. Compensatory damages help you recover medical costs, lost wages and other expenses caused by the accident. They also help you through the post-accident period as you recover from your injuries. If you have been a car accident victim, contact our Ohio car accident lawyers today for a free consultation.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
An insurance policy is meant to help you in times of need. In the wake of a car accident, you may hope that your policy will shield you from the financial shock. However, many accident victims realize that this is not the case. Many insurance companies will try to pay you as little as possible. Some will put the blame on you while others will refuse your damages claim on other grounds. This is why it is important to hire a car accident attorney. A qualified lawyer will fight for your rights and make sure that you get the compensation you deserve. Our Cincinnati car accident lawyers are experienced in dealing with car accident claims. We know the car accident law in Cincinnati and we have years of experience in dealing with the insurance companies.
When you hire us, we make sure that you are able to recover the maximum compensation. In doing so, we negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf. If it comes to a case, we also represent you in a court of law. We stand by you every step of the way until you recover fair compensation for your losses in the crash. Contact us today for a free consultation session. Let our attorneys provide you free advice and guidance as well as an estimate for your damages claim.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
We understand that a car crash can incur significant expenses. The costs of medical care, prescription medicine, and lost wages can be quite steep. You may think that you simply can’t afford an attorney in the middle of it all. However, you do not need to pay any upfront money to hire a car accident lawyer in Cincinnati. Our attorneys help you with your car accident claim on a contingency basis. This means that you have to pay us only once you are awarded the damages. Like a car crash victim, this arrangement lets you get the best legal help without any financial burden.
How does a contingency fee arrangement work with car accidents?
In a contingency fee arrangement, you agree to pay us a percentage of the damages. As per this arrangement, you are required to pay only if you get the damages. If your claim is refused, you don’t have to pay anything. Our attorneys can work out a percentage with you. This is typically 33% for most cases or 1/3rd of the damages. So if you receive $24,000 in damages, you pay your attorney $8,000.
A contingency fee arrangement is great for all parties involved. For you, this means that you don’t have to worry about legal fees. You only have to pay once you receive the damages. For your attorney, this serves as an incentive to work hard and get you compensatory damages.
What Injuries are Covered by a Car Accident Claim?
Car accident injuries range from mild to very serious. Some may even lead to the death of the victim. Following are the types of injuries covered by car accident claims:
Whiplash
When another vehicle suddenly hits your car, you may experience whiplash. This is a result of a sudden jerk of the head and the neck. It can lead to pulled muscles, muscle pain and more serious health problems. In your car accident claim, you can seek damages for whiplash.
Brain Injuries
Brain-related injuries and trauma are the most serious type of injuries. Such injuries can leave you with serious long-term health issues. In some instances, brain injuries may even cause temporary or permanent disability. Car accident claims cover brain injuries. If you’ve suffered such an injury, you can also seek compensation for the long-term treatment, therapy and rehabilitation.
Broken bones
Sudden impact in a collision can leave your bones fractured or broken. Broken or fractured bones take some time to heal. They may also prevent you from resuming normal work. Compensatory damages cover the medical costs as well as the wages lost due to the injury.
Neck and spine injuries
Like brain injuries, neck and spine injuries are also very serious. A displaced disc, for instance, can cause temporary or permanent paralysis of the body. In the case of neck and spine injuries, you can seek damages that cover more than immediate medical costs.
Burns and amputations
Car accidents can often cause a fire which, in turn, may cause burn injuries. In cases of serious harm to the limbs, amputations may also be required. Both of these types of injuries are serious and life-changing. We help you seek compensation for them in order to cope with the drastic changes in your life.
Anxiety
You may suffer stress, trauma, and anxiety after a car crash. This is because you’ve just undergone a traumatic experience. Backed by a physician’s opinion or testimony, you can seek damages for them as well. Damages for these may fall under the ‘loss of enjoyment’ category.
Car accident injuries can lead to steep medical costs. They may also leave a permanent impact on your lifestyle. You may not be able to perform your work for a period. Or you may have to make permanent changes to your career. These are major losses that can disrupt your finances.
Our Ohio car accident lawyers can help you transition through this process. We believe that it is your right to seek fair damages for your losses. Compensation for your losses will help you cope with them and overcome the financial crunch. This is why our attorneys do all they can to make sure you get a fair settlement. Whether it’s the insurance company or the other driver, we make sure that you get paid.
What is Comparative Fault Law in Ohio?
The comparative fault law says that you will get damages proportionate to your fault in an accident. The law distributes the fault for an accident to all the involved parties. So if you are 0% responsible for the accident, you will get 100% of the damages you qualify for. If you are found 20% at fault, you get 80% of the damages, and so on.
However, the comparative fault law also says that you can get partial damages as long as your fault isn’t above 50%. If you are found more than 50% at fault, this means that you are mainly responsible for the accident. In such a case, the law bars you from seeking any damages.
What is the Worth of My Claim?
Every claim and case is different. Attorneys must consider different factors before determining the actual worth of a case. If you want to get an estimate of your claim, get in touch with us today. Our Cincinnati lawyers will provide you free consultation on your case. They will also go through the case details and evidence to tell you what is the maximum amount of damages you can seek.
How Long Do I Have to File My Ohio Car Accident Lawsuit?
You do not have much time within which to file your lawsuit for compensation after your car accident. Like every other state, Ohio has a “statute of limitations” which indicates the time within which certain lawsuits must be filed. In Ohio, the statute of limitations is two years. If you have not filed a lawsuit seeking compensation within that time frame, you will most likely be prohibited from filing a lawsuit for your injuries forever. Working with an experienced car accident lawyer will prevent this from happening.
Two years may seem like a long time, but consider that during those two years you must investigate the cause of your crash in order to determine who the responsible parties are, seek and follow medical treatment, calculate the amount of monetary damages you will seek, and prepare and file the necessary legal documents with the court.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Cincinnati to Win Your Accident Claim
At Ohio Car Accident Lawyers, our attorneys have nearly 200 years of combined legal experience in helping injury victims recover compensation. We are your Cincinnati car accident lawyers and we will aggressively pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
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