If you were injured in an accident caused by an impaired driver in Cleveland, Ohio, Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers can help you pursue compensation from the responsible party. Contact us at (419) 625-7770 to schedule a free consultation with a Cleveland DUI accident lawyer.
With 181 years of combined experience and over $100 million recovered for injured clients, our team is prepared to handle serious and complicated motor vehicle accident claims. We can investigate the collision and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.
How Can Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers Help After a DUI Accident in Cleveland, OH?
A DUI accident in Cleveland, OH, can involve both criminal proceedings against the impaired driver and a separate civil claim for the injured victim. Building your personal injury case may require gathering evidence from the crash investigation and other sources.
At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, our Cleveland car accident attorneys can:
- Investigate the crash and determine how it occurred
- Obtain police reports, photos, videos, and witness statements
- Review available evidence of alcohol or drug impairment
- Gather medical records documenting your injuries
- Identify all potentially responsible parties
- Calculate your financial and personal losses
- Handle communications and negotiations with insurers
- Take your case to court when necessary
The criminal case does not automatically cover your losses. Our team can pursue a separate civil claim. Contact our Cleveland personal injury lawyers for a free case review.
What Is Considered Impaired Driving in Ohio?
Ohio law refers to impaired driving as operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI). A driver may violate Ohio’s OVI law by operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two.
An impaired driver may have reduced judgment, slower reaction times, difficulty maintaining a lane, and trouble responding appropriately to changing traffic conditions. These effects can increase the risk of a serious collision.
DUI or OVI accidents may involve:
- Alcohol impairment
- Illegal drugs
- Certain prescription medications
- A combination of drugs and alcohol
- Multiple substances that impair driving ability
Evidence of impairment can be important in determining why the collision occurred and establishing the driver’s responsibility for the resulting injuries.
What Types of Accidents Can Impaired Drivers Cause?
Impairment can affect a driver’s ability to recognize hazards, control a vehicle, and react quickly enough to avoid a collision.
DUI accidents can include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on crashes
- T-bone accidents
- Wrong-way collisions
- Intersection crashes
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Multi-vehicle crashes
Because impaired drivers may fail to brake, swerve, or take other evasive action before impact, these accidents can result in severe injuries.
Who May Be Liable for a Cleveland DUI Accident?
The impaired driver may be liable when their negligence causes an accident. However, depending on the circumstances, additional parties may share responsibility.
Potentially liable parties could include:
- The impaired driver
- An employer, if the driver was acting within the scope of employment
- A vehicle owner, in certain circumstances
- Another driver whose negligence contributed to the crash
- Other parties whose conduct contributed to the accident
Determining whether multiple parties are responsible can be important because it may affect the sources of compensation available to an injured victim.
What Injuries Can DUI Accidents Cause?
Impaired driving accidents can cause injuries ranging from relatively minor trauma to permanent disabilities. The severity of an injury often depends on factors such as vehicle speed, the direction of impact, and whether the crash involved pedestrians, motorcycles, or multiple vehicles.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal organ injuries
- Chest injuries
- Burns and lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Serious injuries may require surgery, rehabilitation, ongoing medical treatment, and significant time away from work.
What Kinds of Compensation Can I Recover After a Cleveland DUI Accident?
If an impaired driver caused your accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for the financial and personal losses resulting from your injuries.
Depending on your case, damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Physical impairment
- Scarring and disfigurement
The amount you may recover depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, your long-term prognosis, your ability to work, the available insurance coverage, and the strength of the evidence supporting your claim.
What if I Am Partly Responsible for a DUI Accident in Ohio?
Ohio follows a modified comparative negligence rule. An injured person can recover compensation when their share of fault is not greater than the combined fault of the other responsible parties. Their compensatory damages are reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault.
An impaired driver’s conduct does not necessarily prevent an insurer from arguing that another person also contributed to the crash. Evidence showing exactly how the collision occurred can therefore be important to protecting your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a DUI Accident Lawsuit in Ohio?
Ohio generally provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits arising from motor vehicle accidents. However, exceptions or different rules can affect the deadline in certain circumstances.
Speaking with an attorney soon after the accident can help you determine the applicable deadline and preserve evidence that may support your claim.
Contact Our Cleveland DUI Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A collision caused by an impaired driver can leave you facing serious injuries, expensive medical treatment, missed work, and lasting changes to your life. If a drunk or drug-impaired driver caused your accident, you may have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers has 181 years of combined experience and has recovered over $100 million for injured clients. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Cleveland DUI accident attorney.