Car accident injury victims should get compensation for highway accidents
Collisions happen fast in Ohio. That’s especially true when it comes to highway accidents. All it takes is one small mistake to cause a serious accident that results in severe injuries or even fatalities.
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident on a highway in Ohio, it’s important to understand your available legal options. Otherwise, you might not get the money you need for your injury-related expenses, which can easily add up to thousands of dollars or significantly more.
Below, you can learn more about what highway accidents happen in Ohio, what are the most dangerous interstates in the state and what drivers should do in such situations. You can also find out how an Ohio car accident lawyer can help with your highway accident claim or lawsuit.
Why do accidents happen on highways?
Serious accidents occur on highways in Ohio for several reasons. In part, it’s high speeds. The faster a car is going, the less time drivers have to slow down or maneuver to avoid a collision.
Speed makes all sorts of negligence more dangerous. Many times, the at-fault driver who caused the collision was behaving in a careless or negligent manner. Examples include:
- Texting while driving and other forms of distracted driving, which can be especially dangerous on Ohio highways since texting drivers are not looking at the road for several seconds.
- Aggressive driving, especially tailgating and following other vehicles too closely, resulting in a rear-end accident, often on congested highways during rush hour.
- Drinking and driving or driving under the influence of drugs, which can be especially dangerous at high speeds.
- Tired drivers who fall asleep at the wheel, especially on rural highways late at night.
What are the most dangerous highways in Ohio?
Fatal car accidents often occur on busy highways in Ohio, including.
Interstate 70
A major east-west highway running through Central Ohio, I-70 passes through many cities and towns, including Columbus along the highway’s 225-mile-long route from the West Virginia-Ohio border to the Indiana-Ohio state line. Because I-70 serves as a major transcontinental highway, accidents often involve large trucks and out-of-state vehicles, which can be very complicated legal cases. I-70 between Exit 103 and Exit 43 A in Columbus in particular is one of the most dangerous highways in Ohio, according to accident statistics compiled by the state.
Interstate 71
Another major highway that passes through the entire state of Ohio, I-71 runs 248 miles diagonally through Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and many other communities. While accidents often occur on different parts of I-71, the deadliest section of I-71 (and the deadliest road in the entire state) is I-71 between Exit 110B and Exit 116 in Columbus, where more fatal car accidents happen per mile than any other road in Ohio.
Interstate 75
I-75 in Ohio connects Cincinnati to Toledo and passes through Dayton and many other cities along the highway’s 211-mile-long north-south route. And while urban portions of I-75 can be dangerous, the deadliest section of I-75 in Ohio is between Allen Road and Exit 14 in Evendale, Sharonville and West Chester, Ohio, according to official Ohio car accident data.
Interstate 76
Officially part of the Ohio Turnpike, I-76 travels through Akron and many other cities and townships on its 82-mile-long route, which runs east to west from the Ohio-Pennsylvania state border to just east of Akron. Whether it’s hazardous weather conditions, especially in winter, or aggressive drivers anytime of the year, I-76 accidents can have very serious and devastating consequences.
Interstate 270
Nicknamed the Jack Nicklaus Freeway, I-270 serves as a beltway loop highway around Columbus, Ohio. This 55-mile-long highway also intersects with many other major Ohio highways, including I-70, I-71 and I-670. The risk of serious highway accidents is high at such busy interchanges.
Ohio Turnpike
A major east-west highway that runs across the entire state from the Pennsylvania-Ohio border to the Ohio-Indiana state line, the Ohio Turnpike includes portions of three major highways in Ohio – Interstate 76, Interstate 80 and Interstate 90. Thousands of commercial trucks and passenger vehicles use the Ohio Turnpike every day. Because of high traffic volumes on this route, highway accidents often occur, and the legal implications can be especially complicated to deal with since the at-fault driver might be from another state.
What to do after an Ohio highway accident
The first thing someone should do if they’re involved in a highway accident caused by another driver in Ohio is call 911. Often in cases involving highway collisions, a state trooper from the nearest Ohio State Highway Patrol barracks will respond to your crash. The OSHP is organized into nine districts and 61 locations throughout Ohio.
Even before the police arrive, you can start gathering evidence in support of your highway accident – photos of the scene, statements from witnesses, and so on. However, only take such steps if it’s safe to do. Highway traffic can be dangerous. Don’t risk getting hurt in a secondary collision.
You should also exchange information with the other driver. But once you do, don’t discuss your crash. Anything you say – even something as simple as “I’m sorry” – could later be used as evidence to deny your highway accident claim. This is why it’s critical that you have an attorney on your side as soon as possible after your Ohio highway accident.
How much is my highway accident worth?
The amount of money you may be entitled to receive for your highway accident will likely depend on several different factors, including:
- Severity of your injuries and how much medical care you need to treat them.
- Damage to your vehicle, especially if your car is a total loss as a result of your accident.
- How much time you need off from work to recover from your highway accident injury.
- Whether you can return to work in the future, which might not be possible if you sustained a permanent disability.
Keep in mind as well that the cost of your medical care can easily go far beyond emergency medical expenses. If you need ongoing, long-term medical care due to your injuries – especially if you suffer from chronic pain – you need to make sure you’re financially compensated for such future anticipated medical bills.
Add all these expenses up and your highway accident can easily be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more.
Who’s responsible for paying for my highway accident?
Ohio has an at-fault car insurance system. This means the at-fault party (and their insurance company) is responsible for paying injury victims for all their accident-related expenses. Usually, that’s an at-fault motorist. However, there may be additional at-fault parties in certain circumstances, especially if a commercial truck driver caused your highway accident.
Either way, getting the money you deserve can be extremely difficult. Highway accidents can add up to a lot of money. The person or business responsible for paying for your accident expenses will often do everything they can to pay you as little as possible or nothing at all. This is why you need an attorney on your side, fighting for your rights.
Learn how an Ohio car accident lawyer can help you
Experienced Ohio attorneys can help you every step of the way after your highway accident, from obtaining a copy of your official accident report to dealing with insurance companies on your behalf. The right attorney can negotiate the best possible settlement offer or file an Ohio car accident lawsuit if necessary.
The stakes are high in many car accident claims. And if you don’t get the money you need for your collision, you could end up having to pay for your accident out of your own pocket. An experienced Ohio car accident attorney can demand every dollar you deserve and make sure your rights are respected after your Ohio highway collision. Contact an attorney in your area today.
