Cincinnati Personal Injury Law Blog

Distracted driving continues to present a major problem on roadways in Ohio and across the United States. During 2015, according to statistics published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 391,000 people suffered injuries and 3,477 people died in distracted driving car accidents. The NHTSA includes any activity that pulls the motorist's attention from the task of driving in the definition of distracted driving. People can avoid distracted driving themselves by taking a few precautions.

It's important to set global positioning system devices before the trip begins. Many people rely on GPS devices to navigate for them, as they allow drivers to concentrate on the road and still know where they're going. A problem can arise, though, if drivers try to set a destination while behind the wheel. If drivers take their eyes from the road to press buttons on the device, they may end up in a car accident.

At the very least, a traffic accident is disruptive to your life. At the most, it can change your life forever. Injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident can be devastating, and you may know in an instant that you are badly hurt and need medical attention. Unfortunately, serious injuries are not always obvious, and even a low-speed traffic accident can result in injuries.

The sudden and violent jerking when another vehicle strikes yours can cause your body to move in unnatural ways, and this can cause painful damage. If you are in an accident, it is never a good idea to refuse to allow emergency medical technicians to look you over or even transport you to an Ohio hospital. Even if EMTs do not think you are injured, you may wish to follow up with your doctor since some injuries may remain hidden for days.

Many of the cars and trucks driven in Ohio include an assortment of safety features. Even so, there's always the risk of human error and outside factors that can contribute to collisions. In some cases, it's the vehicle itself that doesn't offer sufficient protection in the event of an accident. Insurance loss statistics compiled by the Highway Loss Data Institute, or HLDI, shed some light on which particular cars and trucks are most likely to be associated with crash-related injuries.

In general, smaller and lighter cars tend to be associated with the most frequent medical and injury claims following motor vehicle accidents, which isn't surprising given the basic laws of physics. According to HLDI stats, it's four-door micro cars that have the highest claims frequency when all models are considered. Mini cars and smaller four-door cars have a slightly lower claims frequency although the numbers are still fairly significant.

Getting seriously injured in a car accident may be one of the most frightening experiences you ever have to endure. In addition to being totally shaken, you might even be infuriated because the accident was due to the other driver's bad driving.

Fortunately, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and the resulting costs. Here is a look at the various types of damages that may be available to accident victims under Ohio law.