West Alexandria is a small community with a rich history. Our post office has been in existence since 1828, and we have several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. We are a tight-knit community and an almost perfect setting to raise a family. Unfortunately, traffic accidents can happen to us here and wherever we travel. When an accident happens, it can devastate you and your family. Serious injuries can take months or years to heal and emotional scars can last much longer. If you were hurt in a car accident, a personal injury attorney in West Alexandria will help you get the money you deserve for your injuries.
Car Accidents
Car accidents in West Alexandria can happen without warning. Last year there were almost 300,000 accidents in Ohio, with about half of them resulting in injuries. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that there are about three deaths per day on our Ohio roads. When you suffer in an accident, you may face painful and expensive medical treatment. The negligent party should pay for your medical expenses and other damages.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents in West Alexandria can result in severe and life-threatening injuries. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a possible injury that you can suffer when your head hits the pavement. TBI can range in severity and can be disabling. If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, your whole world is turned upside down. You deserve compensation for your injuries from the negligent driver.
Truck Accidents
We share our highways with large commercial semi-trucks on a daily basis. While we need trucks to deliver our goods, they can also be dangerous. Truck accidents in West Alexandria can result in severe injuries with lengthy recovery periods. Truck accidents can be complex and you may need help from a reputable truck accident attorney to ensure that you get the money that you need for your injuries.
Proving Negligence
The negligent party should be held responsible for the injuries and damages they caused. Ohio law defines negligence as “the failure to exercise the degree of care required of a reasonable and prudent person in any given circumstance resulting in injury or damage to another.” There are four elements you must show in order to prove a driver was negligent. These include:
Duty of care
Breach of duty
Causation
Damages
A driver has a duty to drive in a safe and careful manner. Drivers know that if they speed, disobey traffic laws, driving recklessly, or drive while distracted, they could cause harm to someone else. There are many other actions that could be considered negligent. The accident must have caused the injuries or other damages and the injuries or damages were a result of the crash. If you are involved in a minor fender-bender, the driver may have been doing something wrong, but if there are no damages, there is no proof of negligence.
Ohio allows for comparative negligence. You could be partly responsible for an accident but can still receive compensation as long as your negligence is less than 50%. Generally, the insurance company or court ascribes a portion of negligence or responsibility to each party in the accident. As long as the other party is more than half responsible, you can obtain compensation for the crash damages.
What to Do After a Personal Injury in Alexandria
When an accident happens it can take you off guard. You may be scared and traumatized, but there are several things that you should do after an accident to ensure that you will get a fair settlement. Contact the police and file a police report. The police will secure the scene, investigate the accident, and obtain valuable information from drivers and witnesses. Take photos of the accident before you move the vehicles if it is safe to do so.
Go to the hospital or doctor to get checked out, even if you do not immediately feel hurt. Keep in mind that you might not immediately feel pain from the injuries, especially if you have been extremely stressed and upset. Head trauma, internal damage, and other injuries can worsen if they are not immediately treated. Also, the longer you wait to seek medical care, the harder it will be to prove that your injuries occurred in the accident.
Contact an experienced personal injury attorney in West Alexandria. Your attorney will handle your legal matters and gather essential evidence in your case so you can concentrate on your recovery. If you were hurt in an accident, do not delay. Reach out to our legal team at Kruger & Hodges at (937) 733-6079 for a free initial consultation.
