What are Common Types of Car Accidents?
Our attorneys handle rear-enders, rollovers, hit-and-runs and other types of car wrecks
Car accidents in Ohio might seem similar. But there are many kinds of car crashes that raise many different issues. That’s why it’s important that you have an Ohio car accident attorney handling your case – someone who understands such differences and knows what evidence to look for to build a strong legal case.
At Merriman Legal, LLC, our legal team has years of experience successfully handling all different types of motor vehicle accidents in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and everywhere in between.
Our comprehensive approach routinely results in sizable verdicts and settlements for accident victims throughout Ohio. We’re proud of our case results, which reflect the work we’ve done to help people who suffered because of another driver’s negligence.
What are the most common kinds of auto accidents?
Some of the most common accidents include:
- Rear End Accidents
- Head-on Collisions
- Rollover Accidents
- Roadway Defects
- T-Bone Accidents
- Hit-and-Run Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
There are many other types of accidents. No matter what kind of car accident you’re dealing with in Ohio, make sure your crash receives the attention it deserves. Contact us as soon as possible after the incident. You only have 2 years under Ohio law to take legal action after an auto accident.
Our car accident law firm’s approach toward different types of accidents
Evidence often dictates our accident investigations. We search for the facts needed to build a strong case, whether it’s skid marks on the road, a police officer’s accident report or our client’s medical records for the crash.
And we often don’t stop there. We regularly consult with outside experts such as accident reconstructionists or medical professionals to help support a client’s claim. We conduct the in-depth analysis necessary to find out precisely what happened and present that information to insurance companies to secure fair compensation.
Each one of these steps can take several days or weeks of hard work. But we’re willing to do whatever it takes to win your case. And best of all, you only pay us if we win. That’s because we work on a contingency fee basis. Contact our law firm for a no cost appointment. Call 866-823-3332.
Rear-end accidents – the most common type of collision involving two vehicles in Ohio – happen for many reasons. Sometimes, distracted drivers crash into the car in front of them. Other times, speeding drivers or drunk drivers cause such accidents. Whatever the reason, the consequences can often be serious.
In most cases, the driver who crashed into the back of the other vehicle is found to be at fault. But even if liability in the crash is obvious, the insurance company for that driver may try to low-ball a settlement offer or argue the victim’s injuries were only minor.
Some of the most common injuries caused by rear-end accidents include injuries to the head and neck, including whiplash. Spinal cord injuries and broken bones are also common. And even if your injury seems minor, make sure you have an experienced medical professional evaluate you.
While not the most common types of accidents, head-on crashes often result in the most severe injuries, including many fatalities.
What makes these accidents so severe comes down to the law of physics. Typically, the force of two vehicles colliding straight into each other is more extreme than it is in just about any other accident. If both vehicles are traveling 60 mph, a head-on collision is the same as a car driving 120 mph straight into a wall.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a head-on accident in Ohio, contact our law firm as soon as possible. We can handle all the paperwork and deal directly with insurance companies so you can focus on dealing with the physical and emotional toll of your serious accident.
Vehicles rollover accidents happen for many reasons. Speeding is often a factor.
Many rollover accidents also occur because of the vehicle’s design. Some vehicles such as SUVs, vans and pickup trucks roll over because the vehicles are taller and narrower than most cars. That’s why some SUVs have been recalled due to a large number of rollover accidents. In other cases, a defective tire might blowout, causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle to flip. In other instances, trucks can be overloaded, making them unstable and dangerous to be on the roadway.
Obtaining compensation for such accidents can sometimes be difficult. Insurance companies can be combative. Auto manufacturers often hire entire teams of attorneys to defend their best interests. You can level the playing field. We can help.
While less frequent as a cause to a motor vehicle crash, pot holes, defective traffic lights, obscured street signs and site lines at intersections and unnatural accumulation of water can lead to serious car crashes. In these instances, governmental or private actors can be responsible for failing to correct roadway defects and/or for creating the defect to begin with.
Accidents at intersections can be especially dangerous because of the speed of the crash and the direction vehicles are traveling. Known as "T-bone" accidents due to the shape vehicles create, these collisions typically occur after one vehicle runs a traffic signal and hits the side of a vehicle crossing an intersection.
Our law firm has experience handling these cases, including taking them to trial if the insurance company refuses to settle for a fair amount of money. In one case, we obtained a unanimous jury verdict on behalf of a client who suffered back, knee and leg injuries. Another vehicle ran a red light and slammed into the side of our client’s truck.
Side-impact collisions are among the most likely type of accident to cause serious injuries or fatalities. While auto safety technology such as side airbags reduces the risk of serious injury, the side of a vehicle lacks the protection of front and rear bumpers. When combined with other factors – such as high speeds – these accidents can cause catastrophic injuries.
If you’ve been injured or a loved one has been injured or killed in a broadside collision, do not hesitate to contact our experienced legal team. From consulting medical experts to interviewing witnesses, we leave no stone unturned to prove fault for your accident and obtain compensation for the long-term cost of your injuries.
Among the most frustrating of car wrecks, hit-and-run accidents often involve a wide range of legal issues and concerns. And right near the top of that list for many people we work with is who will compensate them for their hit-and-run accident.
If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, your insurance company will likely compensate you for your hit-and-run accident. But there’s no guarantee that you will receive this money. In some cases, insurance companies erect obstacles designed to prevent accident victims from receiving the money they deserve.
Ohio does not require motorists to carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, but we advise drivers to purchase this coverage in part for protection if a driver flees the scene.
Pedestrian accidents in Ohio can be devastating. Each year, hundreds of pedestrians are injured or killed in accidents caused by negligent motorists.
Accidents involving pedestrians happen for many reasons. Often, reckless or distracted drivers fail to stop and hit pedestrians as they’re legally crossing or walking alongside a street. Such accidents are sadly common in cities throughout Ohio, including Cleveland and Columbus.
If you or a loved one were injured in a pedestrian accident in Ohio, we want to help you and your family get the compensation you deserve. We have years of experience investigating complicated pedestrian accident cases throughout Ohio.
Cyclists and children on bicycles often sustain serious injuries in bicycle accidents in Ohio. Like pedestrian accidents, many bicycle accidents occur when drivers fail to pay attention to everything going on around them. Instead of focusing on the road, some distracted drivers veer off the road and crash into cyclists.
Bicycle accidents also often occur when speeding motorists or reckless drivers do not share the road with cyclists and run into them or run them off the road. Whatever the reason, it’s critical that you have an experienced Ohio bicycle accident attorney on your side, protecting your rights.
Many motorists who cause bicycle accidents often try to blame the cyclist for causing the accident. That’s not right. That’s why we take such cases so seriously. We believe accident victims should not have to suffer – physically or financially – because of someone else’s careless or reckless actions.
