Ohio is home to nearly 12 million people, and nine million are over age 18. Accidents are bound to happen when you combine this large population with the various highways that wind across the state.
Bensinger Legal Services is here to help if you’ve been in a car accident. As experienced injury attorneys, we are familiar with the common causes of car accidents in Ohio.
Our Ohio car accident lawyers know how to respond to different types of accidents and the best ways to fight for compensation after a crash.
Feel free to reach out to us through our online contact form or give us a call at (419) 455-1410 today for a free consultation.
Ohio Car Accident Statistics
There were over 265,000 motor vehicle accidents across the state in 2022. Nearly one-third of these accidents happened in Cuyahoga, Franklin, and Hamilton counties.
Almost 1,200 accidents resulted in fatalities, and over 6,000 led to serious injuries. Another 59,000 crashes left passengers and pedestrians with possible minor injuries.
Car accidents occurred most often on Friday, and nearly 25% happened between 3:00 and 6:00 PM.
Allen County Car Accident Statistics
In 2022, over 3,000 car crashes happened in Allen County. Fortunately, only thirteen accidents involved fatalities. However, over 400 crashes resulted in minor and severe injuries.
Drivers were more likely to crash in the winter than in summer, and over 500 crashes happened on SR-309 and IR-75.
The Most Common Causes of Auto Accidents In Ohio
The following causes and statistics are based on data from 2022.
Failure to Yield
Over 37,000 accidents happened in Ohio because a driver failed to yield. It is the leading cause of accidents in Ohio.
Failure to yield is when a driver does not give the right of way to another vehicle or pedestrian when required by laws or common courtesy. It often happens when vehicles merge into traffic and change lanes.
Speeding
There were over 29,938 speed-related accidents. These accidents involve a vehicle driving at an unsafe speed or above the posted speed limit.
Drivers who speed disregard the safety of others and radically increase the likelihood of an accident. What’s more, accidents involving high speeds are more likely to be fatal than non-speeding accidents.
Deer
Believe it or not, there were nearly 20,000 crashes involving a deer. Deer are everywhere in our state, and the population is growing.
Deer can be unpredictable and jump in front of a car at any moment. These factors make deer one of the common causes of car accidents in Ohio.
Hitting a deer can cause significant damage to your vehicle. Drivers who attempt to swerve out of the way of a deer might veer off the road and collide with a tree or other obstacle.
Drugs and Alcohol
More than 13,000 car accidents occurred when drivers or pedestrians had alcohol or drugs in their system. These crashes don’t mean the driver exceeded the legal blood alcohol content limit. Alcohol in any amount can impair driving abilities, so even those who comply with the law are at risk of getting into an accident. Sadly, this is a common cause of fatal accidents, with over 800 fatalities involving drugs or alcohol.
Running a Red Light or Stop Sign
Over 13,000 accidents happened because a driver failed to stop at a red light or stop sign. These accidents are some of the most avoidable on the list, making them even more tragic. Complying with the law would have almost certainly prevented these crashes.
Distracted Driving
A little over 10,000 accidents were due to distracted drivers. A distracted driver often uses their phone, speaks with other passengers, or pays attention to something other than the road. Despite distracted driving being a common cause of Ohio traffic accidents, 45% of drivers admit to using a phone while behind the wheel.
How an Attorney Can Help
As you can see, many of the common causes of car accidents in Ohio are preventable. Nevertheless, negligent drivers get behind the wheel every day and cause accidents. If you were in an accident, working with an attorney may help you recover compensation.
Attorneys have a deep understanding of the complexities of car crashes. Your attorney can help by investigating the accident and gathering evidence.
After this, they will negotiate with insurance companies and pursue legal action if necessary. Your attorney will try to secure fair compensation for you to cover medical expenses, car repairs, and other damages.
Moreover, personal injury attorneys take on your burdens. You can focus on recovering while they fight for compensation.
Contact an Experienced Ohio Car Accident Lawyer
Our firm is ready to assist you after an accident. Our attorneys are comfortable in the courtroom and know how to advocate for your rights.
We have helped clients receive up to seven-figure settlements due to motor vehicle accidents. Contact us online or call (419) 455-1410 today to schedule a free consultation.
Aaron L. Bensinger is an Ohio attorney serving personal injury and civil litigation clients. He has extensive trial experience and makes client service is his primary focus. As a partner at Balyeat, Leahy, Daley, Miller & Bensinger, LLC, Aaron happily works in Lima, OH, and serves the entire Northwest region of the state and beyond.
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