Though every year cars get safer and fewer lives are lost, car accidents still happen every day. In 2009 there were more than 67,000 car accidents in Ohio resulting in 973 fatalities (OSHP 1/4/10). Thankfully these numbers continue to steadily decline, but car accidents are still a very dangerous and costly misfortune. If you are unlucky enough to have experienced a car accident, then you know just how important having a good car accident lawyer can be. If you are unsure about filing a lawsuit after a car accident, read this article on points to consider about filing a car accident lawsuit.
Know your Legal Rights in an Ohio Car Accident
Deciding whether or not to file a lawsuit for a car accident can be a difficult process. Before you make a decision, it may help to fully understand your legal rights and all the options available to you.
Statutes of Limitations in an Ohio Car Accident
Your legal rights related to Ohio car accidents may be restricted by that statute of limitations, which is a time limit on how long a plaintiff has to file a lawsuit. To make sure that you are protected under the law, your attorney will need to determine how and when you or your loved one was the victim of an auto accident. Ohio law specifies that a car accident victim must file a lawsuit within 2 years, whether you are concerned with recovering compensation for personal injury or property damage (such as damage to a victim's automobile). Ohio law prohibits any suit filed after the expiration of the statute of limitations. If you are considering filing a claim against another party as the result of a car accident, you should consult a qualified Ohio car accident attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your suit is filed within the applicable statute of limitations.
Who Can be Sued in an Ohio Car Accident?
Ohio law allows a victim to sue not only the operator of the vehicle but also the owner of the operatior if the owner was not driving the vehicle. In order to sue the owner, however, the victim must establish that the owner was a passenger at the time of the accident, or that the operator acted as an agent of the owner during the time in which the accident occurred. Ohio law also holds owners liable if the victim can prove that the owner knew (or should have known) that the person driving the vehicle was a reckless, incompetent, or inexperienced driver. Additionally, if the operator of the vehicle was acting as an employee of a company, an Ohio car accident victim can also sue the employee's company.
Do You Have Questions About Your Legal Rights in a Car Accident?
Although there are some legal rights for an Ohio car accident that apply to all citizens, every car accident situation is unique. An attorney experienced with car accidents in Ohio can explain your legal rights in-depth and answer any questions you may have. The lawyers of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz have handled thousand of car accident cases over the past 20 years and can help offset any hardships caused by your car accident. If you’re still looking for information about filing a lawsuit for a car accident, a car accident lawyer from our firm would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Call 1-800-223-8897 or click here to request a free, no obligation, legal consultation.