Sandusky Car Accident Lawyer

Located on the shores of Lake Erie and approximately halfway between Cleveland and Toledo, Sandusky offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of big city life. However, thousands of tourists still find their way to Sandusky to enjoy its many water parks or to take advantage of the excellent boating opportunities offered by the area.

With this influx of cars on the road, it is inevitable that residents will be more at risk of being involved in a car crash. Injuries sustained in car crashes can be both painful and expensive to treat, so if you were injured in a crash in or around Sandusky, it is crucial to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer who can protect your interests and help you seek the compensation you deserve.

WHAT CAUSES CAR ACCIDENTS

Car crashes can happen for a number of different reasons, although the most common reasons include the following:

• Cargo spills;
• Defective car parts;
• Distracted driving;
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
• Drowsy driving;
• Improper lane changes;
• Poor weather conditions;
• Reckless driving;
• Road defects, such as potholes and crumbling medians;
• Road rage and aggressive driving;
• Speeding; and
• Tailgating.

Of these causes, distracted driving is one of the most common and tragically, one of the most deadly. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), estimates that as many as 1,161 people sustain injuries in distracted driving-related crashes every day. The CDC divides distracted driving behaviors into three categories, which include:

• Visual distractions, or activities that take a driver’s eyes off of the road;
• Manual distractions, which include activities that require a driver to remove his or her hands from the wheel; and
• Cognitive distractions, which include behaviors or activities that take a driver’s mind off of driving.

Many distracting activities fall under more than one of the CDC’s categories. In fact, these are often the most dangerous types of distractions. For instance, texting is one of the most dangerous distracted driving activities because it satisfies the criteria of all three categories as it is cognitively, manually, and visually distracting. While texting is one of the most publicized examples of distracted driving, it is far from the only one. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the most dangerous and common distractions include the following activities:

• Adjusting the radio or an iPod;
• Eating and drinking
• Fixing hair or doing make-up;
• Reading, including maps;
• Talking to passengers;
• Smoking;
• Using a cell phone to check emails or update social media accounts; and
• Using in-vehicle technologies, which include GPS and climate control systems.

These are the most common forms of distraction and occur on a daily basis. However, essentially any activity could qualify as a visual, manual, or cognitive distraction if it takes attention away from the road.

For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Sandusky, call (419) 930-3030

INJURIES CAUSED BY DISTRATED DRIVING-RELATED ACCIDENTS

WHILE PERSONAL INJURIES ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS ACCIDENTS, THEY ARE OFTEN THE RESULT OF ANOTHER PERSON’S RECKLESS OR NEGLIGENT CONDUCT.

Injuries sustained by victims of crashes caused by distracted driving tend to be especially serious. This is in large part due to the fact that distracted drivers are usually unaware that a crash is impending until right before the collision. This gives them little to no time to attempt to swerve out of the way or hit the brakes. For this reason, these types of accidents usually occur at high speeds and so cause more forceful and severe impacts, which often result in catastrophic injuries, which include:

• Amputations;
• Broken and crushed bones;
• Burns caused by leaking fuel and engine fires;
• Internal organ damage;
• Lacerations;
• Ligament and tendon damage;
• Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis; and
• Traumatic brain injury.

Injuries of this severity are expensive and difficult to treat. For instance, a victim who sustained serious burns will be required to undergo multiple surgeries, take expensive medications to prevent infection, attend physical therapy, and travel regularly to doctor’s appointments. Victims may also be unable to return to work for weeks or even months while they heal. Family members may also be required to help with transportation to and from appointments, assist in the completion of daily tasks, and administer medication. This can all take a significant emotional and financial toll on both victims and their families, making it especially important for these individuals to collect compensation from the responsible parties. Depending on the particular circumstances of the case this could include:

• Other negligent drivers;
• The manufacturer of a defective car part;
• The car’s manufacturer;
• A governmental entity if the crash was caused by a dangerous or defective road;
• A private company if the negligent driver was completing a work-related activity at the time of the crash; and
• A commercial trucking company if a driver failed to properly secure cargo, which caused an accident.

In some cases, more than one party may have contributed to a crash. In these situations, they can all be held responsible for their percentage of contribution to the accident.

Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030

PREVENTING DISTRACTED DRIVING

In Ohio, it is against the law to text while driving a car. This gives drivers some protection from the actions of others who may be tempted to check their phones while operating a car. However, it’s also a good idea for all drivers to take certain precautionary measures intended to prevent distracted driving, including:

• Storing loose possessions, such as a purse, sports equipment, or groceries prior to driving;
• Ensuring that any children are secured by seat belts or car seats before starting the car;
• Restraining pets before driving;
• Finishing personal grooming before entering the vehicle;
• Storing electronic devices out of sight;
• Adjusting in-vehicle technology prior to driving, including entering coordinates in a GPS, moving the seat, or adjusting mirrors; and
• Focusing on scanning the road at all times and utilizing side and rear-view mirrors.

While taking these precautions won’t guarantee that a person will not be involved in a crash, it can go a long way towards decreasing the chances that you will be the cause of a distracted driving crash.

CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED SANDUSKY CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY TODAY

If you recently suffered an injury as a result of a car crash in Sandusky, please contact Groth & Associates at 419-491-7362 to schedule a free consultation with a dedicated and compassionate car accident attorney who can evaluate your case.

Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form