Car accidents can be scary and disorienting whether you are in Cincinnati, Ohio or any other state across the country. In the blink of an eye, your life can change forever. Not only will you have a lot of medical bills, but you also may not be able to work for a significant period. You will have the unnecessary worry of trying to figure out how you will be able to pay your monthly expenses and provide for your family. If you or someone you love sustains injuries and property damage in a car accident, you may want to consider hiring an Ohio car accident attorney to assist you in understanding the car accident claims process and to help you get compensation.
After a car accident in Cincinnati, Ohio anyone with involvement in the car accident must do the following immediately after the collision:
- If there are no injuries, move your vehicle out of the road to prevent any other collisions
- Contact local law enforcement (Cincinnati Police) for your area
- Exchange your name, address, phone number, and car registration information with the other driver (make sure you collect the same from the other driver)
- Provide the name, address, phone number, and car registration information of the car’s owner if you do not own the car
- Make sure you give all the information listed above to any passengers in the vehicle
You should also use your cell phone camera to take pictures of any damages to your vehicle and any damage to the other driver’s car. If by chance, the other driver does not have insurance on the car they are driving, make sure you document that fact so you can provide the information to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The other driver will be financially responsible for your injuries and damages if there is no insurance and you may need to file a crash report with the DMV to request driving privilege suspension of the uninsured motorist for not having insurance. You will have to file the crash report within six months of the car accident. A car accident attorney will be able to help you pursue a claim for compensation for your injuries and property damage if you have trouble getting the other driver to pay.
It is also important to understand that if a law enforcement officer in Cincinnati, Ohio suspects you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs after the accident; you may have to submit to a blood-alcohol test to see if you are under the influence. A driver should not refuse this test because refusal to take the test will result in an immediate license suspension.
Ohio Car Insurance Requirements
The state of Ohio requires all drivers to maintain the following insurance coverage to drive on the road:
- $25,000 worth of coverage for one individual with car accident injuries
- $50,000 worth of coverage for all individuals with car accident injuries
- $25,000 worth of coverage for property damage in a car accident
The car accident claims process can be confusing and hard for you to understand without the help of a car accident attorney.
Your Ohio car accident attorney can explain to you if you are eligible to receive punitive damages if the driver of the other car was reckless and intentionally caused the crash. The court system uses punitive damages to punish an individual for reckless behavior as a way to prevent future acts of a similar nature. An Ohio car accident attorney will work to protect your rights and make sure you receive all the compensation you are due as a result of the accident.
Do I Have to File a Police Report After My Cincinnati, Ohio Car Accident?
Law enforcement officers in Cincinnati, Ohio can be extremely busy and do not have the time or the bandwidth to respond to every car accident. You should know that all car accidents do not require law enforcement attention. According to Ohio law, you only need to call the police to come to the accident scene if:
- Paramedics are needed due to bodily injuries
- Someone dies as a result of the accident
- The accident causes more than $1,000 in property damage
It is always a good idea to request law enforcement come to the accident scene, especially since you will probably not know how much damage to your vehicle will cost to repair. If you decide not to contact the police in Ohio, you will need to go to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) within six months of the car accident if you discover the other driver does not carry insurance on their vehicle.
Should I Hire an Ohio Car Accident Attorney?
If you or someone you love suffers injuries or property damage in a car accident, it is an excellent idea to contact a car accident attorney for advice and guidance on how to collect compensation. You may have a long recovery period ahead of you, and a lawyer will be able to work on getting you the money to cover your property damages and injuries while you recuperate from the accident. The Ohio Car Accident Lawyers has car accident attorneys available to get to work on your case as soon as possible, so there is no delay in your compensation or settlement.
Our car accident attorneys have extensive experience from working on car accident cases and can negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. We can review police reports, medical reports, and interview witnesses to determine fault and get you the money you deserve. We care about your well-being and will work hard to make sure you and your family will be able to survive after your car accident.
Contact the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers for Help with Your Ohio Car Accident Case
Contact the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers today for help and guidance with your car accident case. An Ohio car accident attorney will be able to get you the compensation you need to recover from your car accident injuries. We will work hard to protect your rights and get you justice. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.