Liberty Township might not be the largest of the 13 townships in Ohio’s Butler County, but it still has a large population and sees many car accidents each year. Among the deadly 14 OVI-related accidents that occurred in Butler County in 2018, several of these accidents occurred on Interstate 75 in or near Liberty Township. The victims of these accidents were left with large medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other financial hardships.
What to Do After a Car Accident?
Before you call our Liberty Township car accident attorneys, you’ll want to:
Check for your own injuries
Check on your passengers
Move the vehicle into a safe location (if possible)
Call an ambulance if there are injuries
Get out of the vehicle and move away from it if it’s smoking or on fire
Call the police and wait for them to arrive
Exchange your information with the police
Your health and well-being are most important after an accident. Seeking medical attention is a top priority.
Soon after the accident, you will be contacted by an insurance adjuster who has been assigned to your case. He or she will ask you to give a recorded statement about the accident. Do NOT make a statement without your attorney.
Once you’re medically able to, contact an attorney to review your case and help guide you through the next steps in the process.
Butler County had 34 fatal car crashes in 2022, up from 33 in 2021. On average, 30 fatal crashes occur every year, along with:
161 serious injuries
996 minor injuries
5,746 cases of property damage
SR-4 remains the top route for accidents, accounting for 926 of the accidents in Butler in 2022. Youth-related drivers, between 15 and 24, are the age group that causes the most accidents. The top causes of accidents in the county are:
Failure to yield – 1,415 accidents
Teen-related – 1,306 accidents
Speed-related – 661 accidents
Failure to stop (red light or stop sign) – 483 accidents
Distracted driving – 310 accidents
Distracted driving laws were tightened in 2023, with first offenses resulting in a $150 fine and 2 points on your license.
Common Types of Car Accidents in Liberty Township
Whether it is head-on collisions or sideswipes, car accidents occur in a number of ways, and each can have devastating consequences. While some accidents result in cuts and lacerations, others result in fatalities. Collisions occur not just between cars but can involve other vehicles like motorcycles, trucks, bicycles, and even pedestrians.
Some of the most common types of accidents that residents of Liberty Township encounter include:
Head-on collisions. These often deadly accidents involve two vehicles that are traveling in opposite directions. These collisions might involve a motorist who recklessly crosses over the centerline of the road. Due to the substantial force of the vehicles involved, these accidents often result in devastating injuries and fatalities.
Multiple vehicle accidents. These accidents occur when more than two vehicles are involved in a collision. While these accidents tend to occur on heavily traveled roads, they can occur anywhere in Ohio. Often, multiple vehicle accidents occur because one motorist makes a mistake and the drivers around them are not able to react in time.
Rear-end collisions. Many times when the front end of one vehicle strikes the rear of another, drivers are either not paying adequate attention or are recklessly operating vehicles. Many factors, including the speed of the vehicles, influence the severity of these collisions.
Single-vehicle accidents. Contrary to popular belief, not all accidents involve more than one driver. Instead, the operators of single vehicles can strike pedestrians or stationary objects like telephone poles or mailboxes. Pedestrians who are struck by cars frequently end up facing catastrophic injuries because they are not surrounded by as much protection at the time of a collision as motorists. Intoxicated and distracted driving is responsible for many single-vehicle accidents in Ohio.
Side-impact collisions. These accidents often occur when vehicles are turning left into approaching traffic. While they are referred to as side-impact collisions, these accidents are also sometimes referred to as “t-bones” or broadside collisions. The consequences of these accidents are often devastating because the sides of vehicles are not as well protected as the front or rear.
While each car accident is unique, many leave the victims facing substantial financial burdens as well as accompanying emotional trauma.
Common Causes of Ohio Car Accidents
While many types of car accidents can occur in Liberty Township, there are just as many reasons why these accidents happen. A driver is said to have negligently caused an accident when that driver could have prevented the collision if they had responded more competently and responsibly. Some of the factors that result in Ohio car accidents include:
Aggressive driving. Motorists who tailgate or weave through traffic greatly decrease their chances of ending up in an accident. While there is never a good reason for aggressive driving, sometimes emotions get the best of people.
Distracted driving. Motorists who perform multiple tasks while on the road prevent themselves from paying adequate attention to the control of their vehicle as well as the surrounding conditions. Some of the most common types of distractions include texting, talking the cell phone, eating, reaching for something in the vehicle, and fiddling with the radio while driving. Even if a driver’s attention is diverted from the road for just a few moments, the chances of ending up in a serious accident increase substantially.
Driving while intoxicated. When people operate vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they compromise their ability to safely operate their vehicles and greatly increase the risk of an accident.
Ignoring traffic laws. Drivers who speed, disobey traffic signs, or run red lights can end up in deadly accidents. While most motorists follow traffic regulations, they do not anticipate that others on the road will not, and as a result, there is often little these motorists can do to avoid ending up in an accident.
How to Choose the Best Car Accident Lawyer for My Claim
Car accident injuries can be life-changing – not only physically, but mentally as well. Concerns about the future and the cost of medical care are valid and natural, especially if you suffered severe injuries as a result of the accident.
While recovery should be your top priority, you may be at the stage where you’re considering your legal options. A skilled and experienced car accident lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of filing a personal injury claim.
When searching for Liberty Township car accident attorneys, there are several important things to consider:
Experience
Experience is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a car accident attorney for your case. How long has the attorney been in practice? More importantly, do they have experience with cases involving your type of injury?
For example, cases involving traumatic brain injuries or permanent disabilities are more complex and have lifelong consequences. It is crucial to work with an attorney who understands the impact of these injuries, the tolls they take on the victims’ lives and the true cost of care.
Attorneys who have experience working with clients who have suffered similar injuries will also understand what you’re going through and the challenges that may arise throughout the claims process. They will be better equipped to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Availability and Resourcefulness
Does the lawyer have the capacity and resources to take on your case? If an attorney has little availability, your case may not get the attention it deserves, and your questions or concerns may not be addressed in a timely manner.
Past Client Experiences
What is the lawyer’s reputation? Do clients generally have positive experiences? Client reviews can provide insight into the lawyer’s experience, professionalism, level of compassion and other factors that will impact your case.
Transparency
When choosing a lawyer for your case, inquire about fee structures and other potential costs that may arise.
Speak with an Experienced Liberty Township, Ohio Car Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Liberty Township, Ohio, you should not hesitate to speak with a skilled car accident lawyer. Contact Kruger & Hodges today to schedule a free case evaluation.