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What Are the Most Common Causes of Auto Accidents in Ohio?

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March 7, 2022 by babinlaw Posted in

Every day, people lose their lives or are left with severe injuries in motor vehicle crashes on the roads of Ohio. This traumatic event can change the course of accident victims’ lives, as well as have a negative impact on their family’s finances. If you were injured in an automobile accident due to another driver’s negligence, Ohio law gives you the right to file an accident claim and seek compensation.

If you’re unsure of how to proceed, you should consider reaching out to a Columbus auto accident lawyer at Babin Law, LLC to analyze your case. Although the law is on your side, you may not be in a position to prepare a personal injury claim and collect the necessary evidence to prove your case. Moreover, you may not be aware of the extent of the types of compensation you are allowed to claim. An experienced attorney will aim to get fair compensation for your injuries.

Motor Vehicle Accidents in Ohio: What Statistical Data Says

Unfortunately, traffic accidents are on the rise in our state. So far in 2022, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has investigated 9,248 car crashes. By comparison, there were 9,003 accidents during the entire year 2021.

Thus, the risk of crashes is on the rise for everyone using the roads: car drivers, their passengers, motorcycle riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians. In some cases, these crashes are fatal. The family of a fatal car crash victim can seek help from compassionate and experienced car accident lawyers to help them file a wrongful death claim.

What Are the Causes of the Most Common Types of Accidents

Traffic accidents can be caused by a wide range of reasons, most of them related to the driver, but some of them related to outside circumstances. In our experience, the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents are:

1. Distracted Driving

A distracted driver is not fully focused on controlling their vehicle. One of the most frequent causes of distracted driving accidents is texting and driving. According to OSHP statistical data, 1,113 car crashes in 2022 were caused by distracted drivers. This is an ongoing problem, prompting the Governor of Ohio to announce a hands-free bill, which will make the handling of any wireless device while driving a primary traffic offense.

2. Drunk Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is forbidden in the State of Ohio, but this does not prevent careless drivers from getting behind the wheel after drinking. A drunk driver is no longer in full control of their vehicle because their responses are delayed and their brain cannot process all the visual and audio signals properly. Combined with high speed, this is a recipe for disaster – a catastrophic accident that takes innocent lives or leaves people with life-changing injuries and disabilities.

3. Reckless Driving Accident

A reckless driver is usually an aggressive driver who tailgates other cars, changes lanes frequently, and (in many cases) is also speeding. This type of negligent driver may be found guilty of gross negligence by the court, making their accident victims eligible to receive punitive damages.

4. Speeding

Speeding is a serious problem on the roads of Ohio. Everyone is in a hurry, including truck drivers who try to meet their delivery deadline. However, at very high speeds, even a moment of lack of attention can cause a rear-end accident or plowing into oncoming traffic on an improper lane.

5. Drowsy Driving

A tired driver can fall asleep at the wheel without realizing it. This issue is more frequent among truck drivers, who often have very tight delivery deadlines. In man cases, these impaired drivers cause carnage on the roads, hitting several passenger cars and even catching on fire.

6. Vehicle Malfunctions

Faulty brakes or tires can be the cause of fatal car accidents. Despite their best efforts, the driver cannot control their vehicle properly and hit other vehicles. In this instance, an accident attorney will try to identify all the liable parties, including the producer of the faulty part and the provider of maintenance services for the vehicle.

7. Poor Road Conditions

From inclement weather to potholes or debris on the road can cause a car driver to swerve out of control and cause a car crash. An experienced Columbus auto accident lawyer may be able to advise you and help you prepare an accident claim against the liable parties.

What to Do after a Traffic Accident

A car accident can have catastrophic consequences. You will need immediate medical care as well as extensive treatments for the most common types of injuries, such as:

The first thing you must do is call 9-1-1 and ask for an ambulance and a law enforcement team. The police report they will prepare at the accident scene will be a valuable piece of evidence for your auto accident lawyer.

At the same time, you must make sure that you do not make any statements before the insurance adjuster who comes to settle your accident claim quickly and for a lowball amount. In some cases, the insurance company representative may even try to persuade you that you do not have a case, because you were partly at fault for your accident. In reality, Ohio uses the comparative negligence principle in personal injury cases, meaning that you are allowed to seek compensations if you are less than 50% at fault for the crash.

Reach Out to an Experienced Columbus Auto Accident Lawyer

At Babin Law, LLC, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys in Columbus aims to help our clients get the maximum compensation they are entitled to receive. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not have to pay any upfront fees. We will collect our fees out of the settlement if we are successful.

Please note that you only have 2 years (the statute of limitations) after the date of your accident to file a personal claim, so call us now: 833-SURVIVORS!