Cleveland Car Accident Lawyers

What to Do After a Cleveland Car Accident

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

• Call Cleveland Police – If the collision does not require calling 911, remember to file an accident report with the Cleveland Police Department. Having law enforcement on the scene can help control traffic, conduct an initial investigation, and create an accident report.
• Seek Medical Attention – If you or a passenger are experiencing visible or potentially serious injuries, head to the emergency room (ER) at Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth Medical Center, or another local ER.
• Exchange Insurance Information – Request the other driver’s name, contact information, and auto insurance details. You or the driver of your vehicle will need to provide the same in return.
• Collect Evidence – We understand this may not be possible immediately after a crash, especially if you’re injured or in shock. If it is safe to do so, use your phone to take photos and videos of the accident scene, any property damage, and any marks on the pavement.
• Call a Cleveland Car Accident Law Firm – Once you have left the crash site and received medical care, your next step should be to contact an experienced car accident lawyer. This is the time to learn about your rights and options following the accident.

Who is Liable for My Car Accident?

The most pressing question after a crash is determining who is liable for your injuries. A liable party is an individual, business, or municipality that must compensate you for your physical, emotional, and financial damages. This party may not always be the driver of the other vehicle.

Statutes of Limitations on Car Accident Claims in Cleveland

If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident in Cuyahoga County or anywhere in Ohio, the state allows you two years to file a lawsuit. This time limit does not apply to your insurance claim. To seek a car accident settlement, you must provide notice to the insurer as soon as possible.

Delaying several months or over a year can result in your claim being denied. This highlights the importance of consulting a Cleveland car accident attorney promptly.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Cleveland

Car accidents in Cleveland and throughout Cuyahoga County can arise from various factors. Cleveland’s heavy traffic, especially during rush hours on major roads like I-90, I-77, and I-271, contributes to the most common causes of car accidents, which include:

• Speeding: Drivers often exceed speed limits, especially on highways such as I-90, leading to serious accidents.
• Drugged driving: Ohio has seen an increase in accidents caused by drivers impaired by prescription drugs, marijuana, and other substances.
• Distracted driving: Common in Cleveland, especially with smartphone use, contributing to crashes in high-traffic areas like Euclid Avenue and Lorain Avenue.
• Drowsy driving: Fatigued drivers are prone to accidents, particularly around busy districts like downtown Cleveland.
• Ignoring traffic signs and signals: Running red lights and stop signs, particularly in downtown Cleveland and at busy intersections, frequently leads to accidents.
• Failing to yield the right of way: Drivers often neglect to yield at intersections along important roads like Madison Avenue, resulting in collisions.
• Reckless driving: High-speed maneuvers and tailgating are common in heavy traffic and contribute to severe crashes.
• Road rage: Aggressive driving in congested areas can escalate dangerous situations and increase the risk of accidents.
• Poor weather: Cleveland’s winter weather, including snow and ice, creates hazardous conditions on highways and residential streets alike.
• Obstacles and hazards: Debris, potholes, and construction zones in growing neighborhoods increase the likelihood of accidents.

Cleveland Auto Accident Hot Spots

Cleveland has many roads and intersections where accidents are prevalent, including truck accidents and motorcycle accidents, often due to negligent drivers.

According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, several intersections in Cuyahoga County report more car crashes than others. In Cleveland, these dangerous intersections include:

• Euclid Avenue at E 105th Street
• Chester Avenue at E 116th Street
• W 25th Street at Detroit Avenue
• West 117th Street at Lorain Avenue
• Brookpark Road at State Road

Types of Car Accidents in Cleveland

Our Cleveland car accident lawyers are here to assist you after:

• Rear-End Collisions: Common in congested areas like downtown Cleveland and along I-90.
• Head-On Crashes: Often occurring on two-lane roads in suburban and rural areas of Cuyahoga County.
• Side Impact “T-Bone” Wrecks: Frequent at busy intersections such as those along Euclid Avenue and Cedar Road.
• Accidents with Semi-Trucks: Given Cleveland’s status as a transportation hub, truck accidents are common on I-71 and I-90.
• Side Swipe Accidents: Often happen on highways like I-271 when drivers change lanes without checking blind spots.
• Blind Spot Collisions: Typically occur during lane changes on busy routes like State Route 2.
• Run Off the Road Crashes: Frequently happen on rural roads and high-speed highways surrounding Cleveland.
• Drunk Driving Wrecks: Drunk driving incidents increase around downtown and neighborhoods like Ohio City on weekends.
• Left-Turn Accidents: Common at high-traffic intersections along W 25th Street and E 105th Street.
• U-Turn Collisions: Occur frequently in busy areas like University Circle where drivers attempt U-turns in heavy traffic.
• Hit and Run Crashes: Often happen in densely populated areas or parking lots, particularly around downtown Cleveland.
• Low-Speed Wrecks: Common in residential neighborhoods and shopping centers.
• Parking Lot Accidents: Frequently occur in retail spaces like Beachwood Place or SouthPark Mall.
• High-Speed Collisions: Most prevalent on interstates and highways such as I-71 and I-90.
• SUV Rollovers: Occur on high-speed curves and ramps, particularly on I-271.

It is also common for cars to collide with other motor vehicles. Truck accidents can be complex due to serious injuries and significant property damage. Motorcycle accidents are also challenging, as determining liability can be complicated. Seeking legal representation is crucial for navigating these types of injury cases.

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How to Recover Car Accident Damages in Cleveland

Whether it is through a personal injury lawsuit or insurance settlement, the attorneys at KNR have helped numerous Cleveland car accident victims obtain the compensation they need. For instance, we recently helped a passenger in Cuyahoga 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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KNR Prepares Car Accident Cases for Trial

If you wish to take your personal injury claim to court, you must have evidence that the other party had a legal duty, failed to uphold that legal duty (was negligent), and this failure led to the crash and your injuries. You will be required to provide evidence that the other party was negligent. You have to show a direct causal link between this negligence and the collision. Then, you also have to prove the type and extent of your injuries.

FAQs for Cleveland Car Accident Victims

Contact a Cleveland Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Cleveland, KNR is here to help. With multiple locations across Ohio, we proudly serve Cleveland and offer free, no-obligation consultations. Call (216) 658-1330 for a free consultation.