Auto Accident Injury in Toledo, OH

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

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Toledo, 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. According to data accumulated by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio state highway patrol conducted more than 1.3 million contacts with motorists in 2019. 59% of all contacts were non-enforcement or emergency contacts, meaning that officials responded to over 800,000 accidents and motorist issues across the state of Ohio. However, incidents were down an average of 5% from 2018 numbers in areas like Toledo.

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 report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

The Toledo Police Department recommends that you always call 911 regardless of the severity of the accident. If the accident does not require police presence, file an accident report over the phone with the police departments telephone reporting unit. In addition Toledo PD also offers an in person, or online accident report submission service. You should note that any report must be filed within six months of the accident, and the accident must have caused personal injuries or property damage in excess of $400 in order to qualify for submission.

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

Across the nation, the average cost of an accident involving an injury is over $60,000. Mandatory liability insurance minimums could make drivers in Ohio directly responsible for paying over 90% of these costs! Drivers in Ohio can be held accountable to pay for medical expenses, damage, and often forgotten, work loss compensation. With over 800,000 accidents across the state in 2019 nearly 1 in every 3 Ohioans was involved in a crash. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the cost of only fatalities in auto accidents at a collective $1.69 billion across the state in 2018.

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 Toledo

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.

In Toledo in accordance with Ohio state law, minimum liability insurance requirements are $25,000 for injury/death of one person, $50,000 for injury/death of two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage in an accident.

Statute of Limitations in Toledo

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 car accidents in Ohio is only two years from the date of the accident. 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 Toledo, 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!