Vehicular Accidents in Ohio
Even when one administers the greatest of care when operating a vehicle, an accident can still occur as a result of another’s negligence or carelessness. Vehicle accidents continue to be the most common type of accident in the United States due largely to driver negligence and disregard for traffic safety laws.
In addition to everyday distractions that cause an accident, such as road construction and weather, the increased use of electronic devises by persons while driving further increases the potential for accidents. Auto accident is a general term that includes accidents involving many types of vehicles. The resulting injuries and liabilities may differ depending on the type of vehicle(s) involved during the accident.
Car Accidents
Oftentimes car accidents occur as a result of a driver’s negligent or careless behavior. Failure to properly follow traffic safety rules and use reasonable care when driving a vehicle increases the potential for a road injury to occur. Other contributing factors to a car accident include:
- Disregarding traffic signs and warnings
- Improperly trained driver
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Tail gating
- Disregarding regular car maintenance and safety checks
- Disregarding dangerous weather and road conditions
In the U.S., the legal term used to define a personal injury resulting from an auto accident is called a “tort”. Most jurisdictions provide a party injured as a result of the negligent act of another (resulting in a tort) a basis for legal action to request compensation for their injury. In a car accident claim, a victim may be awarded compensation if he/she pursues legal action.
Semi Truck Accidents
Semi truck accidents often occur from mistakes and negligence committed by the truck driver. Contributing factors to a semi truck accident include:
- Speed
- Unsafe Road Conditions
- Fatigue
- Necessary Truck Maintenance
- Intoxication
- Equipment Defects or Malfunction
- Improperly Loaded or Unbalanced Cargo
- Inadequate and Improper Signage
Motorcycle Accidents
Although safety laws require motorists to watch for motorcycles on the road, oftentimes they do not exercise proper procedures, resulting in serious injuries such as broken bones, brain damage and head injuries, back/neck/spinal cord injuries and road burn. Motorcycle placement in a car’s blind spot and driver negligence provide greater risk for accidents to occur.
Train Accidents
Train accidents occur nearly every ninety minutes, and every two weeks a train carrying hazardous materials derails and spills its cargo. Train accidents may cause severe personal injuries or even death when toxic material leakage is involved.
Bus Accidents
Like other vehicle accidents, bus accidents may be a result of driver negligence or carelessness, weather conditions or road damage. Additionally, a number of bus accidents have occurred due to the simple negligence of other drivers’ ignoring traffic laws. Whatever the cause may be, persons injured in a bus accident may be entitled to compensation for the physical and mental injuries resulting from the incident.
Pedestrian Accidents
Disregarding traffic safety laws, including the failure to yield and stop at intersections, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and being inattentive to persons crossing the streets and roads are some common causes of pedestrian accidents. If you or a family member was injured in a pedestrian accident as a result of a negligent driver, you are likely entitled to seek compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering.
Boat Accidents
Although it is easy to underestimate the risks associated with operating a boat, it is important to remember that boats are vehicles that require proper training and maintenance and their operation requires extreme care. Boating accidents can occur as a result of:
- Boating negligence
- Defective equipment, such as: ladders, cranes, and slippery decks
- Unsafe working conditions on docks
- Inadequate safety procedures
- Poorly maintained equipment
Highway Defects
A highway defect that causes an accident can further complicate a vehicle accident as additional parties may be held liable. A state’s highway department is responsible for the proper maintenance and care of its interstate roadways, but road conditions may occur too quickly to be corrected before an accident occurs.
The Luftman, Heck & Associates Advantage
There is often no sure way of predicting when an accident will happen. Regardless, it is important to ensure that your legal rights are protected following the occurrence of an accident.
The attorneys of Luftman, Heck & Associates in Ohio represent clients in all types of personal injury cases on both the victim and defendant side. There are many factors evaluated throughout the process that can impact the outcome of the verdict. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the best outcome possible at the end of the legal process.
Get a Personal Injury Attorney On Your Side
If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to the negligence or recklessness of another, or being charged as a defendant in a vehicle accident case, contact one of our attorneys today to begin working on your case.
