Cincinnati Car Accident Lawyers

What to Do Take After a Cincinnati Car Accident

When you are involved in a car crash, we recommend you:

• Call Cincinnati Police – If the collision does not merit calling 911, do not forget to file an accident report with the Cincinnati Police Department. It can be helpful to have law enforcement there to control traffic, conduct an initial investigation, and write up an accident report.
• Seek Medical Attention – If you or a companion are suffering visible or potentially serious injuries, go to the emergency room (ER) at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Christ Hospital, Mercy Health, or another local ER.
• Exchange Insurance Information – Ask the other driver for their name, contact information, and auto insurance information if you can. You or the driver of your vehicle will need to provide the same in return.
• Collect Evidence – We understand this may not be possible after a crash. You may be badly hurt or in shock. If the other driver is aggressive, you may simply keep your distance to remain safe. However, if you can, use your phone to take photos and videos of the crash, surrounding property damage, and any marks on the pavement.
• Call a Cincinnati Car Accident Law Firm – Once you have departed from the crash site and obtained medical care, the next step should be to call an experienced car accident lawyer. Now is the time to learn about your rights and options after a crash.

Who is Liable for a Cincinnati Car Wreck?

The most important question after a crash is who is liable for your injuries. A liable party is a person, business, or municipality required to compensate you for your physical, psychological, and financial injuries. This party may or may not be the driver behind the other car’s wheel.

Statutes of Limitations on Car Accident Claims in Cincinnati

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident in Hamilton County or anywhere in Ohio, the state gives you two years to file a lawsuit. This time limit does not apply to your insurance claim. When you wish to seek a car accident settlement, you need to provide notice to the insurer right away.

If you wait several months or over a year, your claim will likely be denied. This is one of many reasons it is important to talk with a Cincinnati car accident attorney right away.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a bustling city with heavy traffic, especially during rush hours on major roads like I-75, I-71, and I-275. This congestion contributes to some of the most common causes of car accidents, which include:

• Speeding: Drivers often exceed speed limits, particularly on highways such as I-71, I-75, and I-275, contributing to serious accidents.
• Drugged driving: Ohio has seen a rise in accidents caused by drivers impaired by prescription drugs, marijuana, and other substances.
• Distracted driving: Common in Cincinnati, particularly with the increased use of smartphones, leading to crashes in high-traffic areas like Glenway Avenue and Colerain Avenue.
• Drowsy driving: Fatigued drivers are prone to accidents, particularly around The University of Cincinnati and other busy districts.
• Ignoring traffic signs and signals: Running red lights and stop signs, especially in Downtown Cincinnati and at busy intersections, frequently causes accidents.
• Failing to yield the right of way: Drivers often fail to yield at intersections like those along Reading Road, leading to collisions.
• Reckless driving: High-speed maneuvers, tailgating, and weaving through traffic are common on highways and contribute to severe crashes.
• Road rage: Aggressive driving in heavy traffic zones can escalate into dangerous situations, increasing accident risks.
• Poor weather: Cincinnati experiences frequent snow and ice in the winter, creating hazardous road conditions on highways and residential streets alike.
• Obstacles and hazards: Debris, potholes, and construction zones, particularly near growing neighborhoods and commercial developments, increase accident risks.

No matter how your accident happened, contact our nearby Cincinnati motor vehicle accident lawyers today for a free/no-risk case evaluation.

Cincinnati Auto Accident Hot Spots

Cincinnati is home to many has dangerous roads and intersections, where, unfortunately, many people are hurt in car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents, because of negligent drivers.

According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, several intersections in Hamilton County have more car crashes than others. In Cincinnati, these dangerous intersections include:

• Glenway Avenue at Grand Avenue
• Virginia Avenue at Colerain Avenue
• Paddock Road Interchange
• West North Bend Road at Colerain Avenue
• Reading Road at Elsinore Place

Types of Car Accidents in Cincinnati

Our Cincinnati car accident lawyers are here to represent you after:

• Rear-End Collisions: Common in congested areas like Fountain Square and along I-75.
• Head-On Crashes: Often occurring on two-lane roads in suburban and rural areas of Hamilton County.
• Side Impact “T-Bone” Wrecks: Frequent at busy intersections like those along Glenway Avenue and Montgomery Road.
• Accidents with Semi-Trucks: Given Cincinnati’s role as a transportation hub, truck accidents are common on I-71 and I-75.
• Side Swipe Accidents: Occur often on highways like I-275 when drivers attempt to change lanes without checking blind spots.
• Blind Spot Collisions: Typically occur during lane changes on busy routes like Colerain Avenue and I-71.
• Run Off the Road Crashes: Frequently occur on rural roads and high-speed highways surrounding Cincinnati.
• Drunk Driving Wrecks: Drunk driving incidents increase around the University of Cincinnati and Over-the-Rhine during weekends and late nights.
• Left-Turn Accidents: Common at high-traffic intersections on Vine Street and Clifton Avenue.
• U-Turn Collisions: Occur frequently in busy areas like Oakley Square where drivers attempt U-turns in heavy traffic.
• Hit and Run Crashes: Often occur in densely populated areas or parking lots, particularly around Hyde Park and the Banks.
• Low-Speed Wrecks: Common in residential neighborhoods and parking structures.
• Parking Lot Accidents: Frequently occur in shopping centers like Kenwood Towne Centre or Rookwood Commons.
• High-Speed Collisions: Most prevalent on interstates and highways such as I-71 and I-75.
• SUV Rollovers: Occur on high-speed curves and ramps, particularly on I-275.

It is also common for cars to have accidents with other motor vehicles. Truck accidents can be complex because they often involve serious injury and total loss property damage. Motorcycle accidents are difficult to navigate because determining liability can be confusing. You should seek legal representation to help you with either of these types of injury cases.

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How to Recover Car Accident Damages in Cincinnati

Whether it is through a personal injury lawsuit or insurance settlement, the attorneys at KNR have helped numerous Cincinnati car accident victims obtain what they need. For instance, we recently helped a passenger in Hamilton County secure compensation after being injured when their vehicle was struck by a motorist who failed to obey a stop sign.

You may be able to recover compensation for:

• Your past and future medical expenses
• Your lost wages from being off work
• The pain and suffering you experienced
• Your emotional distress and mental anguish
• The loss of consortium caused by your injury.

Through an insurance settlement or a court award, your car accident compensation should encompass your special and general damages.

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Special Damages

These are the economic losses you suffered. This includes your medical expenses and other out-of-pocket costs associated with the crash and your injuries. It also includes the money you did not make because of your injuries, including lost wages, employment benefits, and a lower earning capacity.

General Damages

These are your non-economic injuries, like pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress. The value of these injuries is subjective and means proving what you endured. We may ask you to keep a daily journal regarding your pain and the psychological consequences of your injuries.

Punitive Damages

If the at-fault party’s conduct was particularly egregious, you might be entitled to punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate you for an injury. Instead, they are meant to punish the wrongdoer.

Car Accident Wrongful Death & Survival Damages

Your loved one may have initially survived the car accident only to pass away later. Because they lived for a period, they had a right to pursue a personal injury claim from the date of the accident to the date of their death.

While their death stopped them from doing so, the claim itself survives. The estate can pursue the compensation they would have been entitled to during their life through a survival action.

If your relative passed away immediately, then there is no personal injury claim. Instead, you and your family have a wrongful death claim to pursue. This covers your mental anguish, the loss of their income, services, and companionship.

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