Cleveland lawyers reveal what drivers in Ohio need to know
Speeding drivers wreak havoc on our roads and highways. Every year, drivers who ignore the speed limit cause serious car accidents that result in severe injuries and fatalities. Last year, in particular, accidents caused by speeding drivers soared across the country.
Even though drivers were on the road less last year due to the pandemic, car accident fatalities nationwide were the highest for a single year since 2007. In 2020, a total of 42,060 people died nationwide in motor vehicle accidents, an 8% increase compared to 2019 when 39,017 were killed in motor vehicle accidents, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).
“It is tragic that in the U.S., we took cars off the roads and didn’t reap any safety benefits,” said Lorraine M. Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “These data expose our lack of an effective roadway safety culture. It is past time to address roadway safety holistically and effectively, and NSC stands ready to assist all stakeholders, including the federal government.”
Fatal car accidents increased last year for several different reasons, including distracted driving and drunk driving. But one of the major reasons why there were so many fatal car accidents in 2020 was due to speeding drivers. Compared to 2019, speed-related accidents nationwide increased by 11% in 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
How bad is the problem in Ohio?
Like the rest of the country, fatal motor vehicle accidents reached record highs last year in Ohio. In 2020, there were 1,236 motor vehicle deaths in Ohio, the most in a single year in the state since 2002, when 1,284 people died statewide in motor vehicle accidents, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
“We have seen our emptier streets turn into risky roadways,” Cathy Chase, the president of Advocates for Auto and Highway Safety, said in an interview with ABC 13 Action News in Ohio. “As vehicle miles traveled went down, risky behavior went up.”
As for speeding, on average 265 people were killed each year in the past five years in accidents caused by speeding drivers in Ohio, according to the NHTSA.
What should I do if a speeding driver causes my accident?
If you or a loved one are injured in an accident caused by a speeding driver, take the following suggested steps to protect your rights and your health:
- Contact the police and ask them to respond to your accident.
- If you or anyone else appears injured, ask the police to send an ambulance.
- If someone saw your accident, get the eyewitness’ full name and phone number.
- Take photos of your accident, especially the point of impact and skid marks (or lack of them) on the road.
- Get the other driver’s name, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance information.
- Give the same information to the other driver.
- Don’t discuss your accident with the other driver or anyone besides the investigating police officer. Anything you say could later be used as evidence to reduce or deny your accident claim.
Several hours or days after your accident, take the following additional suggested steps:
- Schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor, even if you have already been examined by a medical professional or emergency room doctor. Many car accidents injuries take several hours or days to develop, including neck injuries like whiplash and head injuries like concussions.
- Keep a written record of any physical injuries or symptoms you experience after your accident. Write down when you’re in pain, if you cannot walk, or perform other routine tasks. Details matter in many car accident claims.
- Call your insurance company and tell them you have been in an accident caused by another driver. Keep your comments brief. Even though you didn’t cause your crash, it’s always smart to be cautious around insurance companies, including your own
- If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, don’t talk to them. Anything you say could be used as evidence to deny your injury claim.
- If the other driver’s insurance company makes a settlement offer, ask them to send you the offer in writing. Don’t agree to accept it over the phone. Many initial settlement offers might seem tempting. But they’re often lowball offers that don’t even come close to covering all your accident-related expenses, especially future anticipated expenses related to serious injuries with chronic pain and other long-term medical issues
- Contact a lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you have an attorney working for you, the better.
Our law firm fights for injured crash victims in Cleveland
Our experienced legal team can help you every step of the way after your accident. We know how to investigate speeding accidents and how to find evidence in support of your claim. We know how to negotiate effectively with insurance companies and can demand the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
Accident expenses can add up fast. The cost of medical care, vehicle repairs, and loss of income due to not being able to work while recovering from your accident can quickly add up to a significant amount of money. You shouldn’t have to pay for a speeding driver’s reckless behavior. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation today. Our law firm is conveniently located on West 9th Street in Cleveland.
