Last updated on November 23rd, 2023
A car accident happens when least expected. For instance, you may be involved in a rear-end accident at a red light or a jackknife accident with a semi-truck as you are entering the highway. Unfortunately, a car accident brings devastating consequences for many people, including injuries, property damage, and death. If you’ve been injured in a vehicle collision, consider speaking to a trusted Dayton car accident lawyer about your legal options.
Generally, insurance covers most losses resulting from a car accident. Even so, getting compensation is not straightforward, with some victims at risk of losing out on financial support. It always helps to work with a car accident lawyer from Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz who can represent your interest in a claim.
A car accident can be a frightening experience, but it’s important to stay calm and take the right steps in order to protect yourself and your rights. Here are some essential things to do after a car accident in Dayton:
The first priority after a car accident is to check yourself and others involved for any injuries. If anyone is seriously injured, call 911 for immediate medical assistance.
Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. Make sure to gather their name, phone number, address, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance company details.
In most cases, it is advisable to contact the police and report the accident. The police report can serve as an official record of the incident, which can be helpful when dealing with insurance companies or filing a lawsuit.
Even if you feel fine after the accident, it’s important to seek medical attention. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and a medical professional can properly evaluate your condition and provide necessary treatment.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the accident and initiate the claims process. Provide them with accurate and detailed information about the accident. You can have your car accident lawyer handle this notification, as well.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, always consult with an experienced car accident lawyer. They can provide guidance on your legal rights and help you pursue a fair settlement or file a lawsuit if needed.
Remember, every auto accident is different, and the specific steps you should take may vary depending on the circumstances. It’s always a good idea to consult with our car accident lawyers who can provide personalized advice based on your situation.
Understanding the different types of car accidents can help you appreciate the risks on the road and prevent future incidents.
Some of the common types of accidents in Dayton include:
A rear-end collision occurs when a forward-moving vehicle crashes into the rear-end of a vehicle. Most rear-end collisions happen when a driver fails to pay attention on the road or leaves very little distance between their car and the other vehicle.
When a driver fails to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, the driver may lack enough time or space to brake and avoid a collision. Although the driver behind may fail to maintain enough space, they’re not always at fault.
The front driver may break suddenly in active traffic or make a sudden u-turn, leading to an accident. Victims of rear-end collisions suffer injuries including face and eye injuries, fractures, amputations, and neck and shoulder injuries.
A head-on collision is one of the most dangerous car accidents. These types of accidents occur when two vehicles traveling in the opposite direction collide head-on. Most head-on collisions occur at high speed, increasing the possibility of serious injuries.
Overtaking vehicles on a two-lane road increases the risk of head-on collision. If a driver fails to see an oncoming vehicle or underestimates the time required to overtake, they can collide with the oncoming car.
A side impact crash occurs when a vehicle strikes another vehicle on its side. It may happen when two cars swipe each other on the side. Or, it may also occur when one vehicle hits the other in a perpendicular orientation, commonly called a ‘t-bone’ collision.
It is called a t-bone collision because of the ‘t’ shape that the two colliding vehicles form. While there are many reasons behind a side impact collision, it can occur if another driver fails to allow or notice another car when joining a lane.
Single-car collisions only involve one vehicle. It occurs when a car hits an object or runs off the road. Most of these accidents happen when a driver hits something in its path, including animals, debris, or dropped cargo.
Depending on the location of the accident, the vehicle may roll over or veer off the road. A single-car accident may also result in severe injuries when the car rolls over or hits a large object.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1,242 fatal crashes in 2021 occurred in Ohio. Unfortunately, human error is the most significant contributor to these accidents.
Here are the common causes of car accidents:
Distracted driving is another activity that takes away attention from driving. Typical forms of distracted driving include texting, talking on the cell phone, using the navigation system, and eating while driving.
Unfortunately, one second of distraction can cause a severe car accident.
Driving under the influence involves driving while intoxicated with alcohol or hard drugs. Although alcohol is the leading cause of these accidents, illegal and legal drugs also contribute.
Some prescription drugs cause drowsiness, hindering the driver’s ability to operate safely. Similarly, alcohol slows down the reflexes, making it hard to avoid hazards on the road.
Varying weather conditions affect the safety on the road. For instance, roads become slippery due to rain, snow, or ice, which can affect tire traction. Unfortunately, little to no tire traction can cause the vehicle to slide off the road or onto other vehicles, causing an accident.
Fog and heavy rainfall reduce road visibility, making it challenging to spot road hazards increasing the risk of road accidents.
Reckless driving occurs when a driver engages in willful or careless disregard for a person’s or property’s safety. Common forms of reckless driving include racing other vehicles, running red lights or stop signs, exceeding speed limits, and aggressive driving.
Unfortunately, reckless driving can cause an accident, causing injuries such as broken bones, paralysis, spinal cord injuries, and death.
One common question that arises after a car accident in Ohio is whether it is a no-fault state. A “no-fault” state is one in which each driver’s own insurance company pays for their medical expenses and other damages regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
However, Ohio is not a no-fault state. Instead, it is a “tort” state, which means victims of the accident can file a tort claim against the liable parties to seek compensation for their losses. The negligent driver’s liability insurance should cover the losses of all accident victims who suffered injuries and damages.
Note that even if you are partially at fault for the accident, you may still be entitled to recover damages under Ohio law. However, the amount of compensation you receive may be reduced based on your percentage of fault. Discuss this with your Dayton car accident lawyer.
Most car accidents are stressful, painful, and expensive. Even a minor accident can leave you with medical bills, property damage, and emotional anguish. You may be eligible for compensation for your injuries if you were not at fault for the accident.
A personal injury attorney can assess the damages you sustained due to the car accident. Subsequently, they can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party or help you file an insurance claim.
A victim of a car accident can claim the following damages:
After a car accident, it is common for the insurance company of the at-fault driver to make an initial settlement offer. While it may be tempting to accept this offer, it’s crucial to proceed with caution.
In many cases, the first offer from the insurance company is significantly lower than what you may be entitled to. Insurance companies are profit-oriented businesses and may try to minimize their payout. Accepting the first offer may prevent you from receiving fair compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other losses.
Instead, consult with a Dayton car accident lawyer before accepting any settlement offer. An attorney can evaluate the true value of your case, negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and ensure that you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
Insurance companies have experienced adjusters and legal teams working to protect their interests. Having an experienced attorney on your side can level the playing field and help you through the complex process of dealing with insurance companies.
One major concern following a car accident is how your medical bills and other expenses will be covered. In Ohio, there are a few different avenues through which your bills can be paid:
Consulting with a Dayton car accident lawyer can help you address payment for your bills. An experienced attorney can assess your insurance coverage, identify potential sources of compensation, and work to ensure that all your medical expenses are accounted for in your claim or lawsuit. Often, they can work out deals with medical providers to hold off on issuing bills until your injury claim is resolved.
In Ohio, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident. This means that you have a limited window of time to take legal action against the at-fault party.
If you fail to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations, you can lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries and other losses through the court system. Insurance companies will know that litigation is no longer an option and use this to minimize your settlement. That’s why it’s crucial to consult with a car accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident to ensure that you meet all the necessary deadlines.
By calling a knowledgeable attorney right away, you can ensure that your claim is filed on time and that you have the best chance of obtaining a fair settlement or favorable verdict in your car accident lawsuit.
A car accident results in severe injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries. In addition to the physical injuries, victims endure mounting medical bills, lost income, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering.
With that in mind, consider engaging an experienced Dayton car accident lawyer to enhance your chances for maximum compensation.
Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz is a team of experienced lawyers who are compassionate about assisting car accident victims. Contact us online or call us at 1.937.222.2222 for a free case evaluation.
The team did a superb job of keeping me in the loop in regards to my claim. Brittany did an amazing job as my paralegal, following up with me as soon as she had news on my case. I truly can’t thank the Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz firm enough. If you are looking for legal representation that will truly fight for you, these are the guys to go with!
This was my first time having to deal with anything legal, they did a very good job, they helped me through the whole process start to finish. Kept me up to date with everything as time went and also didn’t make me feel dumb over a couple very “dumb” questions. Definitely the people I’ll come back to if needed again!
I am glad I chose DGMS for my personal injury case ! Sometimes I would call for update’s multiple times and yet they were patient and understanding. Crystal has done a phenomenal job thus far. Mr. Dominic Z. has done an awesome job as well with follow-up emails and ensuring we get the best results. I look forward to the end result as they are determined to get the best.
We support local charities such as
FLOC Dayton, PFLAG, and Equality Ohio.
Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. was established in Bellefontaine, Ohio, Dyer, the law office in order to serve the residents of Logan County.
Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. was established in Cincinnati, Ohio in order to better serve the residents of Hamilton County.
Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. have several law offices dedicated to serving the Greater Dayton, Ohio area.
Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. personal injury lawyers are here to serve the residents of Darke County, Ohio from our office in Greenville.
Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. have established a law office in Huber Heights, Ohio in order to better serve the residents of Montgomery County.
The Lima office of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. is dedicated to serving the residents of Allen County, Ohio.
Our Middletown office provides a full range of personal injury legal services for anyone in Butler County who has been injured at the expense of another.
Our Middletown office provides a full range of personal injury legal services for anyone in Butler County who has been injured at the expense of another.
Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. has established a law office in Sidney, Ohio in order to better serve the residents of Shelby County.
The Springfield Office of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A. is dedicated to serving the citizens of Springfield and the rest of Clark County, Ohio.
Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz proudly serves Auglaize County residents through its St. Marys office.
The experienced attorneys at Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz serve Clinton County residents through the Wilmington office.
Looking for an expert Xenia lawyer? Our Xenia office location of DGMS was created to better help the unique legal needs of the community.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Doug Mann who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a practicing personal injury attorney.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at 1.937.222.2222
call now 
