Liberty Township is the smallest of the 13 townships in Butler County, but it is still home to various companies and organizations. While many people visit these locations daily without incident, accidents are also known to occur. The Centers for Disease Control reports that in 2017, accidents were the third most common cause of death in Ohio. This equated to 8,971 deaths. An even larger number of people were seriously injured in accidents that occurred in Ohio. One of the best steps that people can take to protect themselves from personal injury accidents in Ohio is to understand the nature of how these events occur.
Case Illustration of Injury Claim in Hamilton, OH
Ryan is a 28-year-old male. He wakes up at 5:30 in the morning every week, cooks breakfast, and kisses his wife goodbye as he heads to work. On his way to the office, Ryan may:
Be hit by a driver who runs a red light and hits Ryan’s car, causing severe injuries.
Be bitten by a dog while walking to the train station, sustaining severe wounds and potential nerve damage.
Get to work safely, but when going on his lunch break, visits his favorite restaurant and a known loose tile finally comes off right as he is walking up the steps, causing a nasty slip and fall.
Ryan may seek compensation for:
Medical expenses, such as hospital stays, testing, seeing specialists and any therapy that he may require to return to the state he was in prior to the injury.
Property damage costs, such as the costs to replace his vehicle that was destroyed in an accident or even minor repairs that must be made. If any personal items were damaged in the accident, these will be added to the cost, too.
Lost wages because Ryan cannot return to work immediately and has lost wages as a result.
Additional forms of compensation may be sought for:
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment
Pain and suffering
Punitive damages
As Liberty Township personal injury attorneys, we see these same scenarios happen every week. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation.
We’ll fight to prove duty of care, breach, causation and damages that occurred in the incident. Personal injuries lead to 40 million emergency room visits per year in the United States. If you’ve been injured – in any capacity – you may be able to pursue damages.
Experience with Various Ohio Personal Injury Claims
Personal injury accidents occur in various ways, and our lawyers have experience helping victims of many of them. Regardless of the cause or severity of resulting injuries, it is common for personal injury victims to face extreme hardships. Some of the most devastating accidents that our lawyers encounter include:
Car accidents. Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most devastating causes of injuries in Ohio. Car accidents range from rollovers to rear-end collisions, and victims are often left with large medical bills, life-changing injuries, and psychological harm from the resulting trauma.
Dog bite injuries. The owners of dogs in Ohio have a legal duty to protect the public from being harmed by their animals. If a dog bites someone, the owner can be held liable through the state’s dog bite injury statute.
Medical malpractice lawsuits. While we put faith in medical professionals and medical facilities that they will provide us with the greatest degree of care possible, this is not always the case. When medical negligence results in injury, it may be necessary to pursue a medical malpractice claim. Some of the most common types of medical malpractice include misdiagnosis and surgical mistakes.
Motorcycle collisions. Motorcyclists lack the degree of protection that motorists do. This means that when accidents occur, motorcyclists are at elevated risk of being seriously injured.
Slip and fall accidents. We expect property owners to keep their premises safe to reduce the risk of injury to others. Unfortunately, things like inadequate lighting and uneven surfaces can lead to slip and fall accidents.
Trucking accidents. Large commercial vehicle operators have a duty to drive their vehicles in conformance with state and federal regulations. Unfortunately, many truck accidents occur in Ohio each year.
Wrongful death claims. If a loved one was killed as the result of another party’s negligence, it is possible to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. Although no amount will ever make up for the loss of a loved one, this compensation can help to pay for the various damages that survivors must endure.
Butler County Accident Statistics
Ohio State Highway Patrol’s 2022 county traffic crashes show data for three years, starting in 2022. Failure-to-yield results in 1,299 accidents per year and youth-related crashes cause 2,736 accidents on average.
Crash severity in 2022 was:
34 accidents were fatal (higher than in previous years)
163 serious injuries
1,006 minor injuries
919 possible injuries
5,963 cases of property damage
Afternoon accidents account for 50% of all accident times, and 91.7% of people in Butler wear their seat belts. Route 73 remains one of the most dangerous roadways in the county. Drug-related crashes are down from 107 in 2020 to 57 in 2022.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Accidents in Liberty Township
Data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that approximately 40 million individuals each year in the United States end up in emergency rooms due to personal injuries. Some of the most common injuries known to accompany accidents include:
Not only are they common, head and brain injuries are also one of the most debilitating types of injuries. Whether caused by a blow or bump to the head, these injuries can result in difficulty with memory, mood swings, and trouble with balance.
Back and neck injuries are often accompanied by substantial pain as well as impaired mobility.
Broken and fractured bones can take various forms and range from everything from hairline fractures to complete breaks.
Muscle strains, as well as sprains and tears, are a common type of injury. These impairments often require long recovery times and can substantially impair a person from engaging in daily living activities.
While some cuts are minor, other lacerations jeopardize a person’s health and can even necessitate amputation.
Even small accidents can result in life-changing injuries that substantially impact a person’s health and quality of life. One of the best ways to take control of your recovery is to seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible after an accident. While many people are filled with adrenaline after accidents and have a difficult time assessing their injuries, it is still important to receive a screening even if you do not believe your injuries are serious.
Personal Injury Process in Ohio
If you or a friend or loved one has been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, your attorney will help determine the best course of action to pursue compensation. Our Liberty Township personal injury attorneys are here to walk you through every step of the personal injury process, which includes:
Investigation and collecting evidence. One of the first steps in the personal injury claims process is to collect evidence, including police reports, videos, witness statements, photos and medical records. The evidence we collect will tell a story of how the accident occurred and will play a crucial role in the claims process.
Settlement negotiations. Often, personal injury claims are settled outside of the courtroom. A skilled attorney will negotiate for the best possible settlement and ensure you’re not taken advantage of by insurance companies.
Mediation or arbitration. In some cases, a lawsuit is not what resolves a personal injury case. Instead, mediation or arbitration will take place
Trial. If the amount offered through insurance is not accepted by the victim, a trial will be set.
How to Choose the Best Personal Injury Lawyer for My Claim
Personal injuries can be traumatic and overwhelming. Immediately following an injury, your health and recovery should be your top priorities. However, you may find yourself wondering when you can return to work and how you will cover your monthly expenses in the meantime.
Negligible parties can and should be held accountable for your injuries, but for the best possible outcome, you need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Choosing a lawyer is not a decision to take lightly. There are several Liberty Township personal injury attorneys to choose from, but only one firm will be right for your case. When making your decision, there are several things that need to be considered, including:
Qualifications & Experience
The first and most important things to consider are qualifications and experience. To succeed with a personal injury claim, you need an attorney with experience and tenacity. You need someone who will fight for your rights and for fair compensation. Our attorneys know all of the tactics that insurance companies use to pay out as little as possible for injury claims. How? Because they once worked for the “other side.”
Our team also includes attorneys who are highly skilled in the art of negotiation and experienced trial lawyers who can take your case to the next stage if necessary.
Along with experience, it is crucial to ensure that your lawyer has experience handling your type of personal injury case. Lawyers who have experience with your type of case will know how to overcome some of the most common challenges that may arise during negotiations and beyond.
At Kruger & Hodges, we understand that a personal injury can be life-changing. If you or a loved one were involved in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, our attorneys can help you seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and more.
Speak with a Knowledgeable Personal Injury Lawyer
The victims of personal injury accidents are left facing various complications including lost wages, medical bills, emotional suffering, and other hardships. One of the best steps that victims can take to obtain the compensation they deserve is to speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. Contact Kruger & Hodges today for assistance with personal injury cases in Liberty Township, Ohio.