When drunk drivers get behind the wheel of their vehicles, they create a risk of severe injury or even death of everyone else on the roadway. If you or a family member suffers injuries due to involvement in a drunk driving crash, you may want to explore how you can pursue compensation for your injuries with the help of an Akron drunk driving accident lawyer,
Some injuries that you suffer in a drunk driving accident can be catastrophic and require months of recovery. Still, other injuries may leave you with permanent impairments. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible to receive a fair and comprehensive financial settlement to offset the expenses and losses stemming from your injuries.
Contact the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 to learn more about the potential compensation that you may be able to receive through a legal claim.
Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), 10,524 crashes involving alcohol occurred in Ohio in 2019. Of those crashes, 529 were fatal crashes with a total of 597 fatalities. Over the last four years, fatal crashes stemming from alcohol use increased substantially; more than 50% of fatal car accidents on Ohio roads involved alcohol use.
Furthermore, during the first nine months of 2020, 6,203 crashes involving alcohol occurred in Ohio. Ohio State Patrol officers also have pulled over 11,000 drivers for drunk driving in the first nine months of 2020. These statistics show that drunk driving and alcohol-related crashes and fatalities are quite common and continue to be a significant source of injuries and fatalities on Ohio roadways.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving lawyer serving Akron, call (844) 730-0233
Liability of Drivers for Drunk Driving Crashes
Victims of drunk drivers in Ohio may be able to claim compensation for their injuries through insurance claims or civil suits. To recover compensation, injured persons must provide evidence of four major elements:
- Duty of care: All drivers have a legal duty to drive safely for the benefit of others, including following traffic laws and rules.
- Breach of the duty of care: When people choose to drive while impaired, they are disregarding their duty of care and putting the safety of others at risk.
- Cause: The impaired driving of the driver must directly cause the car accident and the resulting injuries.
- Damages: The injury victims must be able to demonstrate proof of their damages or financial losses from the car accident.
In many cases, drivers who are impaired and cause accidents also may face criminal charges for their actions. Although criminal charges do not automatically make the driver civilly liable for accidents they cause, those charges can serve as evidence that the drivers breached a reasonable duty of care while driving under the influence of alcohol.
Akron Drunk Driving Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Getting Compensation for Your Drunk Driving Accident Injuries
Every accident claim for compensation is different, depending on the type of injuries that you have suffered and how long it will take you to recover from these injuries. However, some broad categories of damages or items of compensation are similar in most cases. For example, most injured parties will have a claim for medical expenses, including the costs of emergency medical transport and treatment, surgery and hospitalization, and rehabilitation. They also may qualify to get compensation for their physical pain and suffering, as well as their emotional trauma associated with the accident.
Some injury victims also may be eligible to collect compensation for their lost wages while they are unable to work because of their injuries. If they suffer permanent injuries and are unable to return to work, they might be eligible for loss of future earning capacity and future wages.
In the event of a fatal drunk driving accident, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased can collect other types of damages through a wrongful death claim that are not usually part of the damages in a personal injury claim. These types of compensation can include funeral and burial expenses, loss of future inheritance by children, and loss of love, companionship, and affection.
Click to contact our Akron Car Accident Lawyers today
Filing Deadlines in Drunk Driving Accident Claims
Ohio Revised Code (ORC) § 2305.10 states that injured parties must file their claims for injuries and damages to personal property within two years of the date on which the losses occurred. Failing to formally file your claim in court after two years have passed can result in you being unable to pursue any compensation for your injuries. As a result, making contact with an Akron drunk driving accident lawyer soon after your accident may benefit you.
Likewise, if you have lost a loved one in a drunk driving crash, you have two years from the date of death to pursue a wrongful death claim. Under ORC § 2125.02, a personal representative for the estate of the deceased person must bring a claim on behalf of the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased within that two-year timeframe.
Otherwise, family members risk being unable to file any claims for compensation for the loss of their loved one. Family members often pursue wrongful death claims to achieve justice for their loved ones after they lose them due to the actions of a drunk driver.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Get Legal Representation for Your Legal Claim Today
Proving negligence in a personal injury or wrongful death claim can be a heavy burden, especially when you are trying to heal from your accident, being unable to work, and worrying about how to pay your medical bills. Enlisting the help of an Akron drunk driving accident lawyer can remove some of that burden or proof from your shoulders and allow you to concentrate on your physical and mental health.
The attorneys of Ben Crump Law, PLLC take cases such as yours on a contingency fee basis. You likely have concerns about your finances, but we will not add to those worries by requiring you to pay us any money upfront.
Instead, we will get our fees only when you receive a settlement for your injuries. Call (844) 730-0233 to learn more about how we can assist you with your drunk driving accident claim.
Call or text (844) 730-0233 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
