Frequently Asked Questions

Ohio’s at–fault insurance system holds the driver responsible for a crash liable for the damages. But fault isn’t always clear. In some cases, both drivers may share blame, which can impact how much they can recover. If you’re partially at fault, your recovery is reduced by that percentage. Being 25% responsible means you can only collect 75% of your damages. But if ...

What you should do immediately after a car accident in Columbus is call the police and emergency services for anyone who is injured. Once everyone is safe, take steps to protect your rights and gather the necessary information, such as the other driver’s contact and insurance information. A Columbus car accident lawyer can help you understand your options, but your immediate focus ...

What you should do immediately after being injured in an accident is call 911 and seek medical attention. Your safety comes first, and even minor injuries should be evaluated by a doctor. Calling 911 also ensures that law enforcement documents the accident and produces an official report for your claim. Next, gather the contact and insurance information of the other drivers involved. ...

Fatal auto crashes in construction zones have seen a concerning uptick in 2024. This chilling news stems from recent data provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol Work Zone Dashboard. The dashboard, which offers real-time statistics from 2019 to the present, reveals a stark reality. The number of auto accidents in construction zones during the early months of 2024 has more than ...

In the rush of gaining newfound independence with a driver’s license, young drivers often overlook the potential dangers they may encounter. The lack of experience poses a significant threat, making them more prone to errors that can lead to severe consequences. Everyone should know and explore the common issues surrounding young drivers. Inexperience One of the primary reasons young drivers are more ...

Distracted driving is an increasingly concerning issue on Ohio roads. In fact, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that at least 60,000 accidents and 200 deaths occurred between 2018 and 2022 due to distracted drivers. To address this problem, the state legislature introduced a new distracted driving bill that Governor DeWine signed into law at the beginning of 2023. Below, our Columbus ...

Speeding is an exceedingly common practice for motorists of all types. Even the safest of drivers might sometimes go five or more miles per hour above the speed limit when they judge that it is “acceptable” to do so. With thousands upon thousands of car accidents occurring each year, though, the question arises as to just how often speeding contributes to those ...

Reckless driving is a danger to everyone on the road. It is also against the law. According to Ohio Revised Code, anyone who operates their vehicle in a way that disregards the safety of other people or property commits a misdemeanor. Besides the punishment handed out by the state, you might wonder how you receive compensation for an accident caused by a ...

The consequences of an accident can leave a victim with considerable expenses. While medical expenses can cost thousands of dollars, other fees continue to pile up, even when the victim is out of work from their injuries. Waiting for the compensation from your injury claim can sometimes feel like the settlement may never come, but how long does it really take for ...

Making a left turn at a busy intersection takes a great deal of focus, skill and judgment. Too often, drivers lacking awareness of an approaching vehicle or pedestrian crossing the street turn when it is unsafe and cause terrible injuries in auto accidents. One way to reduce left-turn car accidents would be to reduce the number of places where drivers are allowed ...

When you are in a car accident, it could come with a myriad of physical injuries. You may suffer whiplash, spinal injury, internal bleeding, broken bones, soft tissue damage and so much more. In addition to physical injury, you’ll have to face the financial strain from medical bills and car repairs. With all this on your plate, it’s important to know how ...

Distracted driving is a danger to the driver and those around them. In Ohio, distracted driving has been a significant issue that has now drawn the attention of the governor. If you have ever been witness to a crash that happened on Interstate 71 or know someone who was hit by a distracted driver, then this may be good news for you. ...

When commuting by car, it’s important that your safety takes priority over everything else. That includes the time it takes to get to your destination, your morning coffee and your passengers. There are a variety of steps you can take to maintain your safety, including but not limited to the following: Get enough sleep before your morning commute: Commuting to ...

Remember when you were a kid. You knew it was summer in Springfield because you would all get in the car and drive to your Uncle Jim’s house for a barbeque. Mom would help Aunt Laura in the kitchen while your dad and uncle would stand over the flames drinking bottles of Bud and flipping the meat. A lot of things have ...

44% of drivers killed on the country’s roads test positive for drugs. The data from a 2018 report by the Governors Highway Safety Association was based on drivers killed in vehicle accidents during 2016. The report continues: 38% of the dead drivers had alcohol in their blood. 49% of those who tested positive for alcohol also tested positive for drugs. 51% ...

When you see someone drinking and driving, you probably think badly of them. You may think these drivers are irresponsible and a danger to society. Yet why do you not feel the same about someone who is texting and driving? You may have driven while texting yourself. Even if you have not, you probably know plenty of people that do it. An ...

There are plenty of vehicles on the roads, but did you know that some are safer than others? It’s not just safety ratings themselves that play a role. The size of a vehicle, as well as other factors, play a role in how seriously someone could be hurt if they end up in a crash. In an interesting piece of data collection, ...

Safe driving is something that you need to prioritize during every season of the year. Every time you get behind the wheel, take a moment to think about accident risks. Then, focus on the steps that you can take to avoid a crash. Defensive driving is a great place to start. When motorists drive defensively, they remain alert and watchful for any ...

In late 2019, a little-noticed study revealed that people in northeast Ohio are startlingly bad about wearing their seat belts. Folks in Cuyahoga County are the absolute worst in the state about putting on their seat belts. There were more than 750 incidents of major injury or death involving unworn seat belts in 2019 in Cuyahoga County. Franklin County residents were the ...

As you travel to and from your destinations for the day, you may share Ohio roads with a multitude of other drivers. As such, at least a portion of your safety inherently lies in the hands of others, and the decisions they make could have an impact on your safety and well-being in various ways. While most drivers may share your desire ...

After a car accident in Ohio, determining fault is an essential first step in the process of recovering damages. To establish liability, you will need to conduct a thorough investigation into your accident. After a crash, multiple parties with varying interests will investigate your case to determine fault for your Ohio car accident. When you hire a lawyer to help with your ...

A strong claim starts with proof of what happened, who was at fault, and how the crash affected you. Photos, witness statements, medical records, and official reports all help show the full picture. Without solid evidence, insurance companies may try to dispute your claim. Every case is different, and the type of evidence needed depends on the details of your accident. The ...

Most people will be in a car accident at some point in their life. Nonetheless, accidents are always shocking, frustrating and upsetting. When they result in injuries or the loss of a loved one, they can also be life-changing. While there is no way to anticipate an accident, you can prepare yourself so you know the steps you should take afterward. At ...

Accidents in Ohio can happen to anyone. This can be especially true for new drivers. It is important to know how to handle the situation when you find yourself in your first accident. Call 911 immediately In the chaos of an accident, the first step is to call 911. Ensure that someone reports the accident to the police. If there are injuries, ...

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles explains state law requires vehicle owners to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance and $25,000 in property damage per accident coverage. This is the minimum amount of auto insurance a driver in Ohio should have, but it is not likely to be enough, especially in serious accident ...

Roundabouts tend not to be very popular in the United States because motorists are often more familiar with intersections using traffic signals or signage. However, studies and anecdotal evidence find that roundabouts are safer and improve traffic flow. Still, the lack of familiarity with this method of traffic control can lead to accidents. Drivers should consider what mistakes to avoid at roundabout ...

One of the more dangerous moments during road travel is when a vehicle turns. Left turns and U-turns are particularly hazardous as they expose a vehicle to traffic from multiple directions. When a motorist makes an illegal turn, the odds of an accident increase significantly, and a fellow traveler may strike the turning vehicle and sustain injuries. In such cases, several factors ...

As a driver, you are conditioned in a number of things such as obeying traffic laws and the importance of defensive driving. However, one matter that may get overlooked is what you should do after a motor vehicle crash. Neglecting critical steps and details can lead to mistakes that will harm you and your family in so many ways. By understanding what ...

Amazon’s delivery fleet is more than 30,000 vehicles strong and continues to grow. Over the past few years, these vehicles have become an everyday sight on the roads of Springfield and throughout Ohio. The company is committed to extremely fast delivery times for millions of shoppers. While this is great for consumers, it also increases the possibility of car accidents involving Amazon ...

As if recovering from the injuries suffered in a car accident were not enough, victims are often left struggling with the financial impact too. Even after the injuries heal, the stress of medical debt and other accident-related costs can cause many sleepless nights. Here are some options our car accident law firm in Columbus suggest you to consider if you or someone ...

The holiday season is here. Shoppers are heading out, looking for the perfect gifts for friends and loved ones. Families are looking for their perfect Christmas tree and are participating in their traditional holiday activities. As a result, you’ll likely notice more vehicles on the road in the coming weeks. In fact, you may need to be careful, especially if you run ...

There are many changes in technology that have allowed vehicles to become safer, but do those safety improvements actually help prevent crashes? The data has finally shown that Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems can help reduce your risk of a crash. Just having ADAS functions in a vehicle resulted in a 27% reduction in claims for bodily injuries and a 19% reduction in claims ...

You often hear people talk about the dangers of drowsy driving. This is especially true with truck drivers and commercial drivers, who may feel like they have to keep driving due to their schedules even when they feel very tired, but it impacts everyone. A student on the way to school or a worker coming home from the office; anyone can cause ...

The vast majority of car accidents are not fatal. In many cases, there is merely property damage or minor injuries. However, there is always the risk of severe injury or death in any crash, and these accidents continue to take between 35,000 and 40,000 lives every year. With this in mind, what are the factors that make it more likely that a ...

You know how easy it is to get distracted while driving. It can be tempting to answer the phone when it rings, or send a message before you forget. It can take longer than you think to enter your new destination into your GPS or change stations on the radio. Technology can be useful when driving, but it can also prove ...

Most personal injury suits, especially those centered on car accidents, are built upon a foundation of negligence. For example, if a drunk driver collides with your car and you suffer injuries, you may acquire compensation through an injury claim. The other motorist was incapacitated at the time of the crash, which is a clear example of driver negligence. But what if you ...

Walk into any Ohio gym, and you’ll see phones attached to arms pumping out workout music. Stand in line at a DMV, and you might see people Facetiming as they wait for their number to be called. And during any lunch break in Cleveland, chances are you’ll see fingers scrolling through emails between bits of salad. With all of us Ohioans walking ...

Distracted driving often comes from the fact that people are addicted to their phones. They know that they should not text and drive or check social media at a stoplight or make a call on the way home from work. They know that it increases the odds of a crash. They just feel like they can’t help it. They’re so used to ...

Distracted driving, which often means texting and driving, is one of the main road safety issues facing Americans today. That much is clear. Lawmakers have come around to the idea in the last decade, and now many states have distracted driving laws on the books. Exactly what type of laws they have varies by state. When banning texting, 48 states have laws ...

Ohio is among the majority of states to impose some limits on cellphone use behind the wheel. State laws ban texting while driving, but it is still legal to use a handheld cellphone to make calls. The fact that so many states are legislatively fighting distracted driving is a recognition of how dangerous this practice is. Yet, many Americans still aren’t getting ...