If you are injured in Ohio either in an automobile accident, a slip-and-fall, or a work-related incident, you need to know the state laws pertaining to personal injury cases. For the normal person, legal issues can be complicated and confusing, so contacting an experienced and reputable personal injury attorney should be a priority. If you are looking to hire a personal injury attorney in Columbus, Ohio, visit The Keating Firm's website. Below are some legal facts you should keep in mind when it comes to Ohio’s personal injury laws.
Ohio is an At-Fault State
All states are different; however, Ohio is an at-fault automobile insurance state. What this means is that the person who was said to have caused the accident is legally liable for all of the damages and losses you have experienced. If you were injured from the accident and were not at fault, you will need to choose one of the following ways to proceed:
File a claim under your current auto insurance policy
File a claim against the at-fault person’s auto insurance policy
Hire a personal injury attorney to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault person to receive compensation for your damages and losses
Losses From Pain and Suffering
Punitive damages can also be rewarded to you as the injured party if it is proven and determined that your injuries were a result of the other person’s deliberate or negligent acts. The financial punishment of the at-fault party of the accident or injury is meant to be an incentive to keep them from committing a similar offense at any point in the future.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Lawsuits for those affected by car accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, worker’s compensation and slip-and-fall accidents are categorized as accident and injury legal practices. However, workers' compensation rarely involves lawsuits. Workers’ Comp cases are presented in state courts, and each state handles the process in their own way. For example, in Ohio, you only have two years from the actual date of the incident to file a product liability lawsuit, but only one year to file a claim pertaining to defamation. Personal injury law is pretty much consistent around the United States, but each state has different laws and handles the procedures differently. Click on one of the following links to learn more about the different types of Ohio accident and injury laws.
Learn About Ohio Vehicle and Injury Laws
After getting an Ohio driver’s license, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles keeps track of everyone's driving record to ensure all licensed drivers travel safely. To do this, Ohio driving records have a point system that indicate the severity of offenses. Each driving offense has a specific amount of points- the more points, the more severe the violation.
Is it Illegal to Drive With Interior Lights on in Ohio?
The interior lights in cars can become a safety hazard, especially when driving at night. A lot of people assume that having the lights in the car at night is illegal, but it depends on the state. Overall, whether this action is legal or not sits in a gray area of traffic law.
What is the Legal Limit for Window Tint in Ohio?
It is illegal for car vendors to sell vehicles with window tint that do not meet the visible light transmission requirements. It is also illegal for people to drive these vehicles. If an officer catches a driver who does not follow the Ohio window tint laws, then they are charged with a misdemeanor moving violation.
Are U-Turns Illegal in Ohio?
An improper u turn can be, at worst, incredibly dangerous, and at best, a major annoyance for other road users. This has led to a lot of people wondering about the legality of u turns. It's not a standard maneuver, and to a lot of people, it feels like it should be against some form of rule or regulation.
Is it Illegal to Flash Your Headlights to Warn of Police in Ohio?
The argument is two-fold for flashing headlights. On one hand, there are those arguing that the act is obstruction, as it impedes the police's ability to carry out their duty. On the other hand, there is the claim that the action is protected as free speech under the first amendment.
Whether you are interested in Ohio criminal law or Ohio family law, The Keating Firm LTD. can give you the information you need.
Disclaimer: The details included in this blog is offered for educational purposes only, and should not be taken as lawful guidance in any way. No recipients of material from this blog, clients or otherwise, should or should not act on the basis of any material consisted in the blog without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional guidance on the particular facts and situations at issue from an attorney accredited in the recipient's state.