The main cause of car accidents is motorist error. According to the Ohio Highway Safety Office, approximately 87 percent of fatal accidents resulted from motorist error in 2017. Over 70,000 of 75,686 injury accidents were caused by motorist error. The moment a driver’s judgment, vision, or reaction time diminishes, they place every driver around them at risk for serious harm.
Main Causes of Car Accidents in Ohio
According to the Ohio Highway Safety Office, the main causes of car accidents in Ohio in 2017 were:
- Failure to control the vehicle: caused or contributed to 192 fatal accidents (17.4 percent) and 11,862 injury accidents
- Improper lane changes, passing, or running off road: caused or contributed to 173 fatal accidents (15.7 percent) and 6,284 injury accidents
- Failure to yield: caused or contributed to 122 fatal accidents (11.1 percent) and 13,223 injury accidents
- Speeding: caused or contributed to 118 fatal accidents (10.7 percent) and 3,046 injury accidents
- Driving left of the center line: caused or contributed to 101 fatal accidents (9.1 percent) and 1,876 injury accidents
- Following too closely: caused or contributed to 72 fatal accidents (6.5 percent) and 20,419 injury accidents
Alcohol also played a role in many accidents. There were over 11,500 alcohol-impaired drivers in 2017 crashes. Alcohol caused or contributed to nearly 300 fatal accidents and 6,000 injury accidents.
While these are the main causes of car accidents, any negligent action on behalf of a driver can cause an accident.
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Other Causes of Accidents Throughout the Nation
Distracted Driving
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured every day in crashes involving a distracted driver.
Aggressive Driving
Speeding, purposely tailgating, and running red lights are just a few examples of aggressive driving. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety warns of aggressive driving that can escalate into road rage.
Drowsy Driving
A poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation discovered that 60 percent of Americans admitted to driving while sleepy and 37 percent admitted to drifting off to sleep behind the wheel.
Recovering Compensation for Your Injuries
Each car accident case is different. Depending upon your specific crash, you may be eligible for the following:
- Medical expenses, both present and future
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Miscellaneous accident-related expenses
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish
Your medical costs start to accumulate the moment you accept medical transport to the hospital. The costs continue as you face numerous procedures and treatments. When your injuries are the result of negligence by another driver, it is not fair. You should not experience financial stress in addition to your physical injuries. A personal injury lawyer can guide you through the civil procedure process.
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A Lawyer Can Help Protect Your Rights
The time following a traumatic car accident is often one of great anxiety for many victims. Worrying about your health or your ability to pay your household bills can overwhelm you.
Dealing with insurance companies during this stressful time is the last thing you need on your mind. Insurance companies are generally aggressive in their approach to your claim. The initial offer they make may seem like a large sum yet chances are it is not enough to cover your future medical needs. If you accept it, you may lose your right to pursue possible compensation later should your medical condition worsen. Before you speak with representatives from insurance companies, contact our office.
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Call Bressman Law Today
Any negligent action or inaction behind the wheel can cause an accident. At Bressman Law, we hold the person responsible for your accident accountable by fighting for fair compensation.
While many cases settle out of court, we are ready to take your case to trial, if necessary. We have 25 years of trial experience that we bring to your case.
State laws dictate the amount of time allowed for pursuing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. The clock begins the moment you become injured or you lose a loved one. If you miss the deadline for filing your case, you may lose your chance for compensation forever.
Navigating the civil process is difficult, but you can leave it to a personal injury lawyer. The team at Bressman Law gets the job done while being warm, supportive, and helpful with our clients. We offer free case evaluations and we have a no-fee guarantee—this means you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Start your path to justice by calling us now: (614) 538-1116.
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