Car Accidents Lawyer in Mentor, OH
HELPING INJURED CLIENTS GET FAIR COMPENSATION
According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, there were a total of 213,185 motor vehicle crashes in the Buckeye State in 2023. Out of those crashes, at least 1,007 of them resulted in fatalities, and another 5,231 resulted in serious injuries. If you were among those who suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one in a car accident in Ohio, it is important to learn your rights as a victim and see how you may recover compensation for your damages. Contact Frank Piscitelli and he will explain how car accident cases work in Ohio and how a skilled car accident lawyer can make a difference in your case.
WHAT ARE THE LEADING CAUSES OF CAR ACCIDENTS IN OHIO?
According to data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, variables such as distracted driving, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, failure to yield, and running red lights are among the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents in the Buckeye State in the past five years. OSHP reports that over 220,000 accidents have occurred because one of the drivers failed to yield the right of way to another vehicle.
Alcohol consumption has been the suspected cause of at least 61,204 motor vehicle accidents, while confirmed OVI (Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated) cases led to 74,501 accidents. Distracted driving is also common and has resulted in 68,315 motor vehicle crashes while speeding has caused 177,496 accidents, followed by running red lights or stop signs (76,212 accidents).
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I WAS HURT IN A CAR CRASH CAUSED BY SOMEONE ELSE?
If you were injured in a car crash and you believe another party may have been at fault for it, it is important to contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney can help you with the steps needed to investigate your case and submit a claim to recover compensation for your damages.
If your auto accident involved another passenger vehicle, you may need to file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. You may need to be prepared to submit evidence showing the other driver was responsible for the crash and may be asked to provide a recorded statement as a part of your claim filing process. If you have an attorney, your attorney can handle all communications with the insurance company, as it is common for insurance companies to try to pay you less than what you deserve for your claim or deny it altogether by getting you to say something in a recorded statement that can later be used as an admission of liability. In cases where filing an insurance claim is not an option, your attorney may advise you on whether taking legal action and initiating a personal injury lawsuit may be a feasible option.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CAR ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT?
If you believe your car accident may have been caused by a defect in your vehicle, such as a manufacturing defect, a flawed design, or a defective part, you may be able to initiate a product liability claim to recover compensation for the damages you suffered. A product liability claim is a legal action brought against a manufacturer or seller of a product, such as a motor vehicle, in which the product is alleged to be defective or dangerous.
In a product liability claim, the injured claimant needs to prove the product was defective and that the defect caused the injury. The claimant must also prove that the product was used as intended and that the defect existed at the time the product left the manufacturer’s control. If the claimant is successful in their product liability claim, they may be able to recover payment for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO FILE A CAR ACCIDENT CLAIM IN OHIO?
A statute of limitation is a law that sets a strict time limit on a person’s right to file a claim seeking damage recovery. In the state of Ohio, car accident claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitation. This means that any legal action related to a car accident must be brought within two years of the date of the accident.
It is important to keep in mind that the two-year deadline begins on the date of the accident. If a claim is not filed within two years, the right to recover damages may be lost, meaning the claimant may be barred from recovering compensation, and the claim may be dismissed because the statute of limitations has expired on the claim. The statute of limitation may be extended in certain cases, such as when the accident victim is a minor, but in general, it is best not to wait and take legal action shortly after the accident.
WHY IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO HIRE A CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY FOR MY CASE?
A car accident can be a traumatizing experience, especially if the crash results in serious injuries that leave you unable to work. With the help of an attorney, the entire process of filing a claim is easier and much less stressful. Your attorney can take care of every aspect of your case for you and apply their knowledge and experience to help protect your rights and maximize your chances of receiving top compensation for your accident. If you have been hurt in a car accident in the Mentor, OH, area, reach out to the car accident lawyer, Frank Piscitelli, for a free consultation to discuss your case.
