It’s a crisp day in autumn, and you are getting in some walking at the Walnut Street Ashville Community Park. Seemingly from out of nowhere, a large dog lunges at you, knocking you to the ground. Before the owner of the dog can reach you, the dog has bitten your legs and arms several times. As you wait for the ambulance to arrive, the dog’s owner apologizes profusely for the dog’s behavior, inadvertently revealing that “he’s only bitten one other time.” Ohio is a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites, so the fact that the dog has bitten before is not especially relevant—unless your case goes to court where it could become a factor for your benefit.
The state of Ohio holds a dog’s owner or keeper liable for dog bites and any other injuries or damages caused by the dog without the victim having to actually prove owner negligence. You are taken to the OhioHealth Berger Hospital, where your wounds are treated. When the dog knocked you to the ground, you sprained your ankle, and some of the dog bites are fairly deep, so you will be unable to return to your job as a paralegal for weeks—perhaps even months. Being unable to work leaves you unable to pay your normal monthly expenses.
You may be feeling pretty frustrated right now with the situation. You were doing nothing wrong, yet due to a negligent dog owner, you are now facing medical expenses, lost wages, and perhaps even pain and suffering if your injuries do not heal properly or leave you with daily pain. This is not a time you should try to handle the dog attack on your own. If you do not have an attorney on your side, the insurance company is likely to offer you a quick, low settlement before you know the full extent of your damages. The insurance company may even imply that the dog attack was somehow your fault in order to get you to accept a low settlement. Don’t fall for these tricks!
You need a strong legal advocate by your side who will fight for your rights, ensuring you receive the medical treatment you need, as well as a settlement that will fully cover all your damages. The Kruger & Hodges personal injury lawyers in Ashville, OH are here to get you through this difficult time in the best way possible. We will make sure you are not taken advantage of by an insurance company that is only interested in its financial bottom line, helping you determine the best strategy for you and your future.
Types of Personal Injuries Handled by Kruger & Hodges
If you have been in an accident caused by another’s negligence, you need knowledgeable, experienced assistance. The Kruger & Hodges attorneys can handle the following types of personal injury accidents:
Car Accidents—Car accidents are the number one cause of personal injury claims. According to Forbes, distracted driving, drunk driving, and exceeding the speed limit are the primary causes of car accidents. About 35 percent of all fatal car accidents involve an impaired driver, whether from drugs or alcohol. While any driver can be involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident, young, inexperienced drivers are at a higher risk. While inexperience is certainly a factor in fatal car accidents involving teen drivers, there is also an element of risk-taking that is more likely among younger drivers, as well as the fact that younger drivers are more likely to engage in distracted driving behaviors, particularly texting while driving. About 11 percent of all car accident fatalities in 2020 involved drivers under the age of 20. Distracted driving has quickly moved up the list of primary causes of auto accidents. As a nation of multi-taskers, we eat entire meals, fiddle with the GPS or car controls, turn around to see what the children or pets are doing in the back seat, text, read texts, and talk on our phones—all while driving.
Truck Accidentsoften leave those in the smaller passenger vehicles severely injured—or dead. A 3,000-pound passenger vehicle is simply no match for an 80,000-pound fully-loaded commercial truck. Add to this the fact that many commercial trucks are carrying hazardous materials that can compound the negative effects of injuries. If you are involved in a truck accident, it is extremely important that you have a highly knowledgeable truck accident attorney by your side. Truck accidents are unique in that there may be more than one liable party. The truck driver could have caused the accident, in which case the trucking company will likely also be held liable. The loading company may not have ensured the cargo was properly loaded, or the maintenance company may not have ensured the brakes and tires were working as they should. The manufacturer of a defective truck part could also be held liable for a truck accident.
Motorcycle Accidents, like truck accidents, can be more complex, but for different reasons. A motorcyclist has little to no protection in the event of an accident, so the resulting injuries are likely to be more severe. Further, should your motorcycle accident case go to trial, your attorney will need to dispel some of the common stereotypes jurors may have regarding motorcyclists. Many people think motorcyclists are reckless, hard-living risk-takers. While this is usually far from the truth, the best attorneys will deal with these stereotypes immediately.
Dog Bites and Attacks—In the state of Ohio, dog bites and dog attacks fall under strict liability laws, meaning that the owner of the dog is liable regardless of whether they knew the dog posed a danger to others. Unless the owner can prove you were deliberately teasing the dog, then the owner is liable for your injuries.
Drunk Driving Accident Victims—According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 668 OVI-related fatal crashes in 2022, with 726 fatalities. Ohio ranks 35 out of 51 for the number of drunk drivers in the state. Montana topped the list of states with the highest rate of drunk drivers, and the District of Columbia had the lowest rate of drunk drivers. More than half of all American drivers are concerned about getting into an accident during the holiday season because of drunk drivers, and nearly 40 percent of American drivers say they have witnessed intoxicated friends or family members drive home after a party.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents—Like motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists who are involved in an accident with a vehicle are entirely unprotected. They have no steel and glass cage surrounding them, no seat belts, and no airbags. Because of this, these vulnerable groups often sustain serious, life-threatening, or fatal injuries, including head trauma, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and internal organ damage and bleeding. If you are the victim of a pedestrian or bicycle accident you need a strong advocate from Kruger & Hodges to fight for you.
How to Choose the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Ashville, OH
Choosing your personal injury lawyers to investigate and submit a claim on your behalf can seem daunting. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to choose a local, experienced attorney who can identify the various issues associated with bodily injury litigation with a high degree of comfort. You want an attorney who is aggressive but will be honest in giving you frank advice on the strengths and weaknesses of your case. You want an attorney who practices in Ashville, OH, and provides you with individualized legal advice.
At Kruger & Hodges, we know you have many choices when looking for personal injury lawyers in Ashville, OH. We also believe strongly that once you have spoken to an attorney at our firm, your choice will be clear. The Kruger & Hodges Law Firm believes in each client, always going the extra mile to ensure our personal injury clients receive exemplary legal representation and a full and fair settlement.
How Kruger & Hodges Can Help
The Kruger & Hodges personal injury lawyers in Ashville, OH are ready to help you through this difficult time in your life. We understand what you are going through and want to help you by fighting for the full settlement you need and deserve. Your future can depend on whether you get a settlement that will pay for your medical expenses now and in the future, lost wages, lost future wages, and pain and suffering. If the negligence of another individual resulted in losses for you and your loved ones, we can help. Contact Kruger & Hodges today.
