Columbus Car Accident Lawyer
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle accidents are the eighth leading cause of death worldwide and the number one cause of death for children and young adults between five and 29 years old. Similarly, Johns Hopkins Medicine says that unintentional (accidental) injury is the fifth leading overall cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of death for people under 35. Johns Hopkins places motor vehicle crashes among the top three categories of unintentional injury. Tens of thousands of people die in traffic crashes every year, and hundreds of thousands are seriously injured. Over a thousand people in Ohio lose their lives every year in auto accidents, and thousands more suffer injuries from the painful and debilitating to the catastrophic.
The Oliver Law Office protects the rights of the injured to receive full and fair compensation after an auto accident caused by the negligence of another driver. Drivers must obey specific traffic laws designed for safety, including speed limits, stop signs and stoplights, the use of turn signals, and more. Additionally, all drivers have a general duty to drive with reasonable care, including avoiding distractions, maintaining control of the car, staying alert, and not driving when they are drowsy or intoxicated. If you’ve been seriously injured in a crash or if a family member was killed in a fatal accident, our personal injury and wrongful death attorneys will work to see that you are fully taken care of and receive everything you need. You focus on yourself and your family while we focus on getting a significant settlement or verdict that can truly help. Call our experienced Columbus car accident lawyer today.
Ohio Car Insurance Laws
The laws in Ohio require every driver to carry minimum amounts of liability insurance in case they get in a car accident with another driver, pedestrian, or other party and it’s their fault. A negligent driver’s liability insurance should pay the accident victims for their personal injury and property damage costs caused by the crash. The minimum coverage amounts required in Ohio are $25,000 for bodily injury caused to one person in the accident, $50,000 if more than one person was physically hurt, and another $25,000 for property damage.
Ohio drivers can also meet the requirements of the law by keeping $30,000 on deposit with the state Treasurer or purchasing a $30,000 bond from a surety or insurer and obtaining a certificate from the state that serves as proof of financial responsibility.
Some drivers carry more than the minimum amount of insurance, knowing they could be legally responsible for any damages they cause that exceed their policy limits. Rather than put their home or other assets at risk, drivers might carry $100,000 or more in liability coverage in case they cause a serious accident resulting in catastrophic injury or wrongful death. Even drivers who don’t have a lot of assets to protect do not relish the prospect of getting a large judgment debt entered against them that hangs over their heads forever.
Insurance premiums in Ohio are relatively low compared to other states. We recommend drivers carry more than the minimum amounts of liability coverage if they can afford it and also purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. UM/UIM is only a small additional cost compared to your overall premium, and it can help pay your losses if the at-fault driver is uninsured or only minimally insured, or if you are injured in a hit-and-run accident and can’t locate the driver. Thirteen percent of Ohio motorists are uninsured, and hit-and-run accidents are on the rise, so purchasing UM/UIM coverage is a wise choice.
How the Oliver Law Office Helps With Car Accidents in Columbus
As soon as you call us after a car accident, we go to work right away taking care of your case. We’ll obtain a copy of the police report and follow up by conducting our own investigation as necessary, locating witnesses or video surveillance tapes, documenting physical evidence, and making sure other evidence that might be relevant to your claim is preserved. Physical evidence gets cleaned up or destroyed, memories fade, and traffic cam footage gets erased, making it important to call us right away so we can secure the evidence and start the process of negotiating or litigating on your behalf. We can also connect you with medical care if you need. We handle every aspect of your case so that all you have to do is focus on getting better and taking care of yourself and your family.
Contact the Oliver Law Office Today
Our hardworking legal team is dedicated to achieving meaningful results that provide very real help in your time of need and make you feel that justice was done in your case. Contact our experienced Columbus car accident lawyer today for a free consultation and immediate assistance.
