Who’s At Fault in a Car Accident? A Guide to Liability in Ohio
Posted in: Car Accidents
KNR Legal Blog
Due to their size and speed, cars can potentially inflict massive amounts of damage when they are in a collision. This potential for harm even rises with the size and speed of the vehicles involved. Like many residents of Ohio, Wayne County has had to deal with the devastation caused by car wrecks. To date, there have been over 1,200 car accidents in Wayne County that have been investigated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. With multiple fatal crashes in both 2017 and 2018, Wayne County remains a dangerous place to drive. In several instances, drugs or alcohol are suspected of playing a role in the crash.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, your physical and emotional well-being may hang in the balance. On top of this, the financial burden caused by vehicle repairs, medical bills, and lost wages can be extreme. To find out whether you’re entitled to a financial recovery for those damages contact Kisling, Nestico, & Redick. Our car accident attorneys can fight for what you deserve and ensure things run smoothly.
Free consultations are available, and with 11 offices across Ohio, including Akron, Canton, Independence, and Westlake, we have a convenient location for you. Call us at 1-800-HURT-NOW or fill out our online form to schedule yours today.
Thus far in 2018, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has investigated 1,220 accidents in Wayne County. This is slightly above the rate from 2017 when 1,205 crashes were investigated. The number of fatal crashes, however, is on pace to decrease this year. In 2017, 17 fatal crashes were reported in Wayne County. Of the accidents investigated so far this year, only six have resulted in death.
Four of the six fatal crashes occurring in Wayne County this year took place in rural areas; two of them occurred in urban environments. Of the six total, two of the Wayne County fatal crashes of 2018 involved operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Two of the six involved a commercial vehicle, and one involved a motorcycle.
Law enforcement officials believe that drugs and alcohol are playing a significant role in the number of fatal crashes Wayne County sees. In August 2018, two people died in Wayne County when they were ejected through their windshield after crashing. The vehicle drifted off the road and became airborne before rolling over several times. Authorities who responded expressed a belief that drugs were involved. Before that, a 24-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene after his car hit a guardrail, a fence, and a traffic sign before flipping over. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. Respondents opined that he was impaired, but it was not specified what type of intoxicants he had taken.
Intoxication is not a factor in every fatal crash, though. Earlier this year, the eastbound lane of U.S. 250 was closed for over an hour following the death of a driver. The driver in question was not wearing her seatbelt when she collided with a commercial truck. The truck driver was not injured. Authorities in that situation did not believe that either party was intoxicated.
If you were injured in a car crash in Wayne County due to another driver’s negligence, contact a lawyer about possible compensation for your injuries. At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we can help determine whether you can recover damages for your Ohio car accident. With our assistance, you won’t need to simply accept the consequences of personal injury or vehicle damage.
Don’t hesitate to schedule your free consultation; reach out through the online form or call
1-800-HURT-NOW today.