A car accident can happen in a second and can have a lasting negative impact on your life. West Elkton is a small village located in Preble County in the west edge of Ohio. It is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area. While West Elkton is small in size, accidents can and do still happen here. When an accident occurs, it can cause serious injuries that result not only in physical trauma, but also in emotional and financial stress. Victims of car accidents in West Elkton, Ohio, may be owed compensation for their injuries and damages. A knowledgeable car accident attorney in West Elkton can handle the legal issues and help you get the money you deserve.
What Causes Car Accidents?
Car accidents in West Elkton and elsewhere may be caused by a variety of factors. Distracted driving, speeding, failure to obey traffic signals, driving while intoxicated and failure to yield are just a few of the many causes of accidents. Although vehicles are becoming safer, accidents still continue to occur at about the same rate. Distracted driving may be to blame for many crashes. Ohio law prohibits texting while driving as it can be distracting. Distracted driving can be any activity that takes your hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, or focus on driving. Following an accident, the cause of the accident should be determined so the negligent party can be held accountable for the damages.
Types of Car Accidents
Crashes can occur in a variety of ways. Some of the common types of accidents are:
Rear-end collisions
Side impact accidents
T-bone crashes
Head-on collisions
Rear-end collisions are likely the most common type of accident, and they happen when a driver hits another car from behind. These types of crashes occur frequently at stop lights and signs and in areas where traffic has slowed. An unaware driver may fail to see that traffic ahead is stopped and run into another vehicle. Side impact crashes are also called side-swipes and may occur when a vehicle is improperly changing lanes or merging. T-bone crashes happen most often at intersections where one driver hits another vehicle on the side. Head-on accidents may be the most severe and occur when a driver gets into the oncoming lane.
Injuries in Car Accidents
Although many car accidents are minor, many crashes result in severe or life-threatening injuries. Some of the common injuries sustained in car accidents include:
The severity of the injuries depends on many factors of the accident such as the speed of the vehicles at the time of crash, the location of the impact, and whether occupants were wearing seatbelts, among other things. It is important to seek medical attention immediately following an accident. Some injuries can worsen without medical care. If you wait to go to the hospital, it could be more difficult to prove your injuries occurred during the accident.
Negligence in Car Accidents
When vehicles collide the negligent party is responsible for paying the damages of the injured party. Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care that results in injury to another. Negligence simply means that the driver did something or failed to do something that he knew could cause harm. Speeding, failure to obey traffic signals and laws, driving while distracted, or driving while intoxicated are all examples of negligence.
To prove negligence in car accidents in West Elkton, Ohio, you must prove four basic elements:
Duty of care
Breach of duty
Harm was a result of the negligent act
You suffered injuries as a result of the accident
Ohio, like many other states, utilizes the comparative negligence law. A portion of negligence is ascribed to each party. You can collect on your claim as long as your own negligence does not exceed 50%.
Working With the Insurance Company When Car Accidents in West Elkton Occur
Following an accident, you will work with the insurance company. The insurance adjuster will want to get a statement from you and will discuss the details of the accident. It is important to keep in mind that they will record your statement and they may try to use what you say to reduce your compensation. If the insurance company offers a settlement check, be aware that if you cash it you could be waiving your right to seek additional funds. Therefore, it is helpful to talk to a car accident attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney will handle the legal issues and negotiations and work to obtain a favorable settlement.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a car accident in West Elkton, we can help. Reach out to our skilled legal team at Kruger & Hodges at (937) 733-6079 to schedule a consultation.
