Toledo Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents have become increasingly common over the last two decades, a trend that has been largely attributed to the higher number of vehicles on the road, as well as increasing rates of distracted driving. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 1,161 people are injured in crashes caused by distracted driving every day. Whether an accident was the result of another person’s decision to text while behind the wheel, speeding, or rubbernecking, the injuries suffered by innocent parties can be severe. While these individuals can collect compensation for their losses by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault parties in court, the filing process can be difficult and time-consuming for those who don’t have a legal representative, so if you were recently injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, it is essential to contact a Toledo car accident attorney who can ensure that you comply with all substantive and procedural requirements.

Types of Car Accidents

A number of factors play a role in how severe a car accident victim’s injuries are, but one of the most important is the type of car crash in which he or she was involved. The most common kinds of crashes are:

• Rear-end collisions, which can range from minor fender benders that don’t result in any injuries to more serious collisions that occur at a high rate of speed;
• Side impact collisions, which are more commonly known as “T-bone” crashes and occur when the front end of one car strikes another vehicle broadside, usually in an intersection;
• Head-on crashes, which are among the most dangerous types of car accidents and are usually the result of a driver falling asleep at the wheel or driving while intoxicated;
• Underride accidents, which occur when a smaller vehicle becomes lodged underneath a commercial truck and are often fatal;
• Sideswipe accidents, which involve one vehicle sustaining a glancing blow from a nearby car and usually result in only minor, if any injuries, although they do cause significant vehicle damage;
• Rollover accidents, which are most common in top heavy vehicles that are more likely to overturn on sharp curves in the road or after a collision with another car; and
• Multi-car pile-ups, which are one of the deadliest types of crashes, as victims are forced to suffer multiple impacts from a variety of directions.

Although all of these types of accidents can lead to serious injury, head-on collisions, rollovers, and multi-car pile-ups are perhaps the most dangerous, as victims often become trapped in their vehicles and are forced to wait for medical attention.

Common Car Accident Causes

Car crashes can happen just about anywhere and at any time, but almost always involve at least one person’s negligent conduct, which could include:

• Distracted driving, such as texting, daydreaming, adjusting in-vehicle technologies, eating, and drinking;
• Falling asleep at the wheel or driving while drowsy;
• Consuming drugs or alcohol prior to driving;
• Speeding, tailgating, or otherwise driving aggressively; and
• Violating a traffic law.

However, the fault for an accident doesn’t always lie with a driver. For example, manufacturers who design or produce defective parts can be held liable for a victim’s injuries if their failure to test a product or their decision to use inferior materials caused an accident. Similarly, private companies and even government agencies who fail to repair potholes, don’t use reasonable care when designing roadways, place road signs in improper locations, or fail to clean up road debris can be held liable if their negligence caused a crash.

Get the Legal Representation You Deserve

For help with your own car accident claim, please call Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC at 419-241-5500 today.