SKILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT CASES
PERSONAL INJURIES FROM A CAR ACCIDENT CAN OCCUR ANYWHERE AND WHEN THEY DO THE DAMAGES CAN BE SEVERE.
AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY SERVING CLIENTS IN FINDLAY, OHIO
Was someone you love recently injured in a serious car accident in Findlay, Ohio? Car accidents happen quickly and without warning. Depending on a number of different factors, the severity of a traffic collision can vary greatly. Accidents can be minor, resulting only in property damage, yet they can also be extremely serious, leading to life-threatening and even fatal injuries. According to a fact sheet from the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 29,989 deadly car accidents occurred in our country in 2014, and as a result of those accidents, there were 32,675 fatalities. If another driver’s negligence or wrongful act causes an accident, you should speak with an experienced Findlay personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to learn more about filing a claim for financial compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Findlay, call (419) 930-3030
PERSONAL INJURY LAW AND OHIO CAR ACCIDENT CLAIMS
Generally speaking, car accident claims in Findlay, Ohio will fall under a broader category of law known as personal injury law. Personal injury law recognizes that, when the negligence or bad act of one party causes harm to another party, the injury victim deserves to seek compensation by filing a claim. When a driver is negligent, that does not mean that the driver intended to cause an accident or injuries. Instead, personal injury law says that when a driver does not take proper care behind the wheel and is careless—in driving drowsily, while distracted, or aggressively, for instance—and an accident happens, the driver should be held liable for his or her careless behavior.
If you were injured in an Ohio car accident and want to learn more about filing a personal injury lawsuit, it is important to do so as soon as possible. Under Section 2305.10 of the Ohio Revised Code, a plaintiff is bound by a two-year statute of limitations. What does this mean? In short, the statute of limitations specifies how much time a plaintiff has to file a lawsuit. Ohio law makes clear that a plaintiff who is filing a car accident claim must file his or her lawsuit within two years from the date of the injury (in other words, two years from the date of the accident) in order to be eligible for compensation. As such, you should discuss your case with a car accident lawyer as soon as you are able to do so.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030
TYPES OF COMPENSATION FOR PLAINTIFFS IN OHIO TRAFFIC COLLISIONS
WHILE PERSONAL INJURIES ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS ACCIDENTS, THEY ARE OFTEN THE RESULT OF ANOTHER PERSON’S RECKLESS OR NEGLIGENT CONDUCT.
When you file a car accident claim, what kinds of damages might you be eligible to receive? In general, Ohio plaintiffs may be eligible to receive compensatory damages, which are intended to compensate the plaintiff for his or her losses. Compensatory damages fall into two categories: economic damages (such as medical bills, costs of treatment, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs), and non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering, or loss of enjoyment of life as a result of injuries). Economic damages are those that can be quantified objectively, while non-economic damages tend to be more subjective. To be sure, there is no single amount that could compensate any and all plaintiffs for pain and suffering, particularly given that plaintiffs have widely varying injuries.
When an Ohio plaintiff receives compensatory damages, she or he also may be eligible for punitive damages in certain cases. Punitive damages are not intended to compensate a victim, but rather to punish a defendant for particularly careless or bad behavior. Punitive damages also can be used to deter such behavior in the future.
WHAT CAUSES CAR ACCIDENTS IN OHIO?
There are many different causes of traffic collisions. In some cases, drivers behave in careless ways, and their careless behavior can cause a crash. In other situations, a vehicle may have a defect that results in a serious or even deadly car accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) compiled a report concerning motor vehicle causation, which explains that the following are ways in which causes of serious motor vehicle collisions are classified:
- Driver conditions, or driver issues (e.g., recognition errors, decision errors, and performance errors);
- Vehicle factors (e.g., defective brakes, defective air bags);
- Road conditions (for example, potholes in the road or uneven pavement); and
- Atmospheric conditions (for instance, snow, sleet, heavy rain, wind, or fog).
The most common specific cause of car accidents, according to the NHTSA, was driver recognition errors. To be sure, these errors—which include “inattention, internal and external distractions, [and] inadequate surveillance,” among other issues—account for 41 percent of all driver-related car accidents. When accidents have been attributed to drivers, more than one-third of all crashes are attributed to drivers’ decision errors, which can include various forms of aggressive driving and speeding.
When accidents happen, the NHTSA reports, a surprisingly high number of drivers are engaged in “at least one non-driving activity.” Indeed, nearly 20 percent of drivers are engaged in an activity other than driving when they are behind the wheel at the time of an accident. What are the most common non-driving activities? The NHTSA lists the following:
- Engaging in conversation with other passengers; and
- Talking on a cell phone.
Generally speaking, the following driver behaviors often contribute to serious auto accidents:
- Distracted driving;
- Drowsy or fatigued driving;
- Aggressive driving; and
- Alcohol-impaired driving.
If you’ve been hit by a negligent driver while riding a motorcycle in Ohio, we understand the unique challenges you face. Our team of skilled Findlay motorcycle accident lawyers are here to advocate for your rights and help you navigate the legal process.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
COMMON INJURIES IN OHIO AUTO ACCIDENTS
At Groth & Associates, we regularly represent clients in a wide variety of car accident lawsuits. We understand that no two accidents are alike, and we know that collisions can lead to many different types of personal injuries. Some of the most common injuries we see among plaintiffs include but are not limited to:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs);
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs);
- Neck and back injuries, including whiplash;
- Broken bones;
- Facial injuries, scarring, and disfigurement;
- Bruises and lacerations; and
- Amputations.
Losing a loved one in a car accident is a devastating experience. Our compassionate Findlay wrongful death lawyers are here to provide support during this difficult time. We’ll work tirelessly to seek justice and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
AN EXPERIENCED FINDLAY CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY CAN ASSIST WITH YOUR CASE
Were you recently injured in a serious car accident in Ohio? Are you unable to work as a result of your injuries and dealing with substantial medical bills as a result of the accident? You should discuss your case with an experienced car accident lawyer in Findlay as soon as possible to learn more about filing a claim for compensation. Contact Groth & Associates today to discuss your case.
Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form