Auto Accident Injury in Cleveland, OH

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Cleveland? 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 Cleveland, OH that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Cleveland, Ohio

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. One thousand sixty-eight people died from car crashes in Cleveland, Ohio is 2018. Since 2013, there have been 47,000 injuries from car crashes due to distracted driving.

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.

If there are no injuries and those involved in the crash do not want to call 911, you can call the Cleveland Division of Police Communications Center at (216) 621-1234. If you have already been in an auto accident in the city of Cleveland, and the police were not called immediately, you can file an online report, and you should do so as soon as possible.

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

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, 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

According to the CDC, crashes cost a whopping $1.29 billion in 2018, comprising $17 million in medical costs and $1.67 billion in lost work. Older adults accounted for the same percentage of crashes (41%) as young adults, according to the same 2018 report. The cost of auto crashes and deaths in Ohio is higher than that of Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Only Illinois was higher.

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 Cleveland

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 requires its drivers to carry liability car insurance for personal injuries or damages resulting from a motor vehicle accident. It also requires a minimum amount of coverage per policy. In Ohio, the following minimums are required:

• $25,000 per person for personal or bodily injury in any one accident
• $50,000 for two or more people for personal or bodily injury in an accident
• $25,000 for property damages in an accident.

Ohio is an at-fault state, which means the person responsible for the accident is also responsible for damages. If your insurance policy doesn’t cover your damages and the other person is responsible, they will have to pay the difference. Ohio caps damages at $250,000.

Statute of Limitations in Cleveland

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. In Cleveland, OH, you must file a crash report with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within six months of a crash. You have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim.

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 Cleveland, 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!