A car accident can change your life and your family’s life in an instant. One moment you’re in stop-and-go traffic on Interstate 90, the next moment you’re rear-ended by someone who was texting behind the wheel. You could be broadsided in an OVI crash after a night out in Ohio City. You may have steep medical bills and an uncertain future through no fault of your own.
Your life and livelihood could be on the line. You need car accident lawyers here in Cleveland who understand what you’re going through and can provide answers, stability, and peace of mind.
At Tittle & Perlmuter, we put in the hard work for our clients because we know how complicated these cases can be. To request a free consultation with our car accident attorneys, contact our law firm today.
Where Car Accidents Often Happen Around Cleveland
Cleveland has many busy streets and highways. Here are just a few places where car accidents tend to happen most.
- Interstate 90: The heavy stop-and-go traffic on I-90 can contribute to serious crashes. While the Innerbelt Curve isn’t as deadly as it once was, plenty of crashes happen getting to and from the lakefront.
- Interstate 77 and Interstate 71: Like I-90, the mix of commuters and large commercial trucks can lead to crashes on both I-77 and I-71. There are also complex interchanges with I-90 that can lead to crashes.
- St. Clair Avenue: The long straightaways and multiple lanes of St. Clair Avenue make the road dangerous for commuters as well as pedestrians.
- East 55th Street: East 55th Street consistently ranks among Cleveland’s worst streets for crashes due to its numerous lanes and mix of commuter and commercial traffic.
- Kinsman Road: Another dangerous street in Cleveland, many commuters and pedestrians have to deal with dangerous high speeds and the outdated infrastructure of Kinsman Road.
Remember that car accidents can happen anywhere in Cuyahoga County, including school zones and quiet residential neighborhoods. Drive carefully and responsibly.
Types of Car Accidents
Tittle & Perlmuter can assist with all kinds of single-vehicle and multi-vehicle car accidents.
- Rear-End Collisions: Rear-end collisions are often caused by drivers following too closely or because drivers are distracted.
- Sideswipe Collisions: Sideswipe collisions occur when the sides of two vehicles traveling in the same direction meet.
- T-Bone/Broadside Crash: A T-bone accident is a side-impact collision in which the front of one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle.
- Head-On Crashes: Head-on collisions are when the fronts of two vehicles meet. These crashes can result in severe injuries or fatalities depending on the speed.
- Rollover Car Accidents: Rollover accidents are when a vehicle turns over onto its side or roof.
Common Causes of Car Crashes
Some of the most common causes of car accidents in the Cleveland area include the following:
- Speeding: Excessive speed is a leading cause of accidents nationwide. This applies to speeding on I-90 as well as residential roads.
- Reckless Driving: Examples of reckless driving include refusing to yield the right of way, ignoring traffic lights, frequent lane changes, and street racing.
- Intoxicated Driving/OVI: People who operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol endanger the lives of everyone on the road, including their own.
- Distracted Driving: Drivers who text behind the wheel, look up directions, or rubberneck may not have their full attention on the road.
- Vehicles Defects/Defective Auto Parts: Problems with vehicle design or faulty auto parts could contribute to an accident or the severity of injuries in a crash.
- Poor Road Conditions: Uneven roads, major potholes, malfunctioning traffic signals, and missing signage can increase the risk of a serious accident.
- Bad Weather Conditions: The weather along Lake Erie can make driving treacherous. Rain, snow, black ice, and fog can affect traction and visibility.
Potential Injuries in a Car Accident
Many car wrecks result in serious and catastrophic injuries, some of which result in permanent disability and lasting changes to quality of life.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Severe head trauma during a car wreck could cause concussions, brain contusions, and lasting brain damage.
- Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI): The force of impact in a crash could cause injuries to the spinal cord, limiting your mobility and possibly causing paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Burn Injuries: A post-crash fire can cause severe third- and fourth-degree burns, particularly if accident survivors are trapped in a vehicle.
- Broken Bones and Joints: The trauma in a major car wreck can cause compound fractures as well as severe damage to a person’s knees, hips, and other joints.
- Loss of Limbs: Some collisions are so severe that they result in a loss of a limb or the need to amputate a limb that cannot be saved.
What to Do After a Car Accident in the Cleveland Area
If you get into a car crash in Cuyahoga County, the steps you take in the aftermath could protect your well-being and the value of your claim. Knowing what to do can make a big difference. Here are four steps to take after a car crash.
- Stop Your Car, Report the Wreck: Ohio law clearly states that all collisions that cause property damage or significant injuries should be reported to law enforcement. Stop your car, exchange information, and report the crash to the Cleveland Police Department or another state/local agency.
- Document Your Collision: Ohio is a fault-based personal injury state. Your collision needs to be comprehensively documented. Try to take pictures, get witness contact details, obtain a copy of the police report, and write down your account of what happened. All of this information could be invaluable during the claims process.
- See a Doctor Right Away: You may be more badly hurt than you know, which is why you should see a doctor after a collision, even if you seem fine. Ohio law requires injured victims to present medical records to bring a car accident injury claim.
- Speak with the Lawyers at Tittle & Perlmuter: Don’t take on the insurance company alone. Insurance adjusters want to pay as little as possible and could take advantage of you after a crash. Before you provide any official statement, get in touch with our car accident attorneys in Cleveland.
Compensation in a Car Accident Lawsuit
Victims of motor vehicle accidents have the right to seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic losses. Our auto accident attorneys are committed to helping clients secure the maximum compensation. You may be entitled to monetary damages for:
- Medical Expenses: This includes emergency room care and visits with specialists after a crash.
- Future Medical Care: This includes physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and other long-term health needs.
- Vehicle and Property Damage: This includes vehicle repairs, replacement of a total vehicle, and replacement of any other belongings damaged in a crash.
- Lost Wages: This includes time off work recuperating from injuries and any other loss of income due to the accident.
- Reduced Earning Potential: This includes changes in your career or ability to live independently due to a long-term or permanent disability.
- Pain and Suffering: This includes emotional distress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following an accident.
- Reduced Quality of Life: This refers to a loss of enjoyment in hobbies and a lower sense of contentment or well-being following a crash.
Compensation After a Fatal Car Wreck
If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, you have our deepest sympathies. When you are ready to share what happened, the team at Tittle & Perlmuter can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable party.
Compensation for a fatal car crash can cover funeral costs, the loss of your loved one’s income, grief counseling, and loss of companionship.
How Partial Fault Affects Car Accident Compensation
Ohio operates on a modified comparative negligence rule (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2315.33). This means you can receive compensation if you are 50% or less to blame for a car wreck. Your compensation is reduced by your share of liability.
For example, say that you are awarded $100,000 after a sideswipe accident on the Ohio Turnpike. However, you were found to be 25% at fault for what happened. Because of modified comparative negligence, you would still receive $75,000.
Never apologize or accept any blame after a crash. Insurance companies will do whatever they can to reduce their payout to you. The Cleveland car accident lawyers at Tittle & Perlmuter prevent insurance companies from shifting blame to secure maximum compensation for your injuries.
Statute of Limitations: Deadline to File a Car Accident Lawsuit
Per Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.10, you generally have two years from the date of a car wreck to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. When the two-year statute of limitations has expired, you will no longer be able to take legal action even if you have a valid claim.
Two years sounds like a long time to take action, but it’s best to speak with our Cleveland car accident attorneys as soon as possible. Our lawyers can start hunting down crucial evidence before it fades or degrades, such as CCTV or doorbell cam footage, witness accounts of the crash, and physical evidence related to the vehicles or the accident site.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Cleveland
Below are some common questions people ask after they’ve been in a major car wreck in Cuyahoga County.
When should I speak to a car accident lawyer?
You should speak with a Cleveland car accident attorney before you give any statement to an insurance adjuster. Indeed, you should speak to a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident—especially if you have suffered a serious injury in the crash. Your attorney will protect your rights and interests.
What is the most common type of car accident?
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of accident in the Cleveland area. In fact, nearly half of all multi-vehicle crashes in Northeast Ohio are rear-end collisions.
How do I determine the value of my case?
Many factors determine the value of a car accident claim, including shared liability and damages. Do not trust that an initial offer from an insurance company is a full and fair valuation of your case. They try to settle claims for less. Tittle & Perlmuter can help you fight for the maximum compensation.
What is a demand letter in a car accident claim?
A demand letter is a formal request sent to the at-fault party’s insurance company. Among other things, the letter explains the defendant’s liability, outlines your damages, and clarifies the compensation that you are seeking. While you can draft this yourself, it’s best to have an accident attorney from Tittle & Perlmuter handle this process.
Why Choose Tittle & Perlmuter for Your Car Accident Lawsuit
After a serious car wreck in Cleveland, you need accident lawyers who can answer your questions and offer support during a difficult time. The team at Tittle & Perlmuter can offer that and more.
- Deep Knowledge and Experience: The attorneys at Tittle & Perlmuter bring decades of experience to every case. We know where car accidents happen around Cleveland, the dangers drivers face, and how to build effective and compelling cases.
- Bespoke Representation for the People of Cleveland: Big national law firms tend to have a one-size-fits-all approach to car accident litigation. Tittle & Perlmuter give each case the attention it deserves. We use our knowledge of Northeast Ohio to serve local accident survivors and their families.
- A Focus on Getting Results for Clients: We encourage you to browse our past verdicts and settlements. These results speak volumes about our commitment to our clients. We put in the hard work to help people in need.
Contact Our Cleveland Car Accident Attorneys Today
If you’ve been hurt in a major car accident, Tittle & Perlmuter is here to help. We’re ready to take on insurance companies and fight for regular Buckeyes just like you. For a free consultation with our car accident lawyers in Cleveland, contact our Northeast Ohio law firm today.
