Auto Accident Injury in Cincinnati, OH
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Cincinnati? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Cincinnati, OH that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Cincinnati, Ohio
The massive auto accidents in Cincinnati in 2023 reflect the much bigger concern: traffic safety. Several high-profile accidents were responded to by emergency medical teams and resulted in road closures, emphasizing the real severity and prevalence of these incidents. Across the state of Ohio, there were 178,154 vehicle crashes, with 4,968 resulting in serious injuries and 1,322 causing death; a good number of these events happened in urban centers like Cincinnati.
What to Do After an Auto Accident
It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.
Receive Immediate Medical Attention
What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.
File a Police Report
Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.
For minor accidents that don’t result in an injury, the Cincinnati Police Department asks that you reach out to your local police district to file a report within 24 hours of the incident. You should be prepared to provide the information listed on the police department’s website. To request a report of your accident, you can contact the Cincinnati Police Records Station at 513-352-3559. Typically, a report will be available within 10 business days of the accident.
Gather the Appropriate Documentation
While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:
- Full name, address, phone number and email address
- Driver’s license state and number
- Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number
Take pictures with your cell phone of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and all other vehicles involved in the accident. Verification through optical means can replace word-of-mouth. The more information you gather, the better off you and your case will be later. If possible, at all costs, try to have this delivery as amicable and courteous as possible. But do not apologize for causing the accident, or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.
Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury
After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.
Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:
- Burn injuries
- Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Brain and head injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.
Auto Accident Laws in Ohio
Liability Laws for Cincinnati
When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process. Ohio, like many other states, is considered an at-fault state. To determine which party is at fault in an accident, the police and insurance will survey the collected evidence. Fault can be split between multiple parties, though you are unable to collect damages if it’s determined you are more than 50% at fault.
Statute of Limitations in Cincinnati
Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. The statute of limitations for filing a civil claim in Ohio is two years from the date of the accident. The only exception is in the case of a wrongful death suit, which can be filed within two years from the date of the death.
This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.
Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Cincinnati, OH
After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Ohio!
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