Being the victim of a hit-and-run accident can be a scary experience. It can often leave victims with serious injuries. In the United States, there are approximately 700,000 hit-and-run incidents each year, leading to devastating consequences. If you find yourself injured in a hit-and-run accident, it is important to know how to handle the situation.

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

Following a hit-and-run accident, it is important to remain calm. Take a moment to collect yourself and stay focused to help you take appropriate actions. First, check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is hurt, immediately call 911 for emergency assistance. If you can, try to note down the license plate number of the fleeing vehicle, as it will be vital for the police investigation.

Report the Accident to the Police

After assessing the situation, promptly report the hit-and-run accident to the police. They will investigate to identify the driver responsible for the incident. When filing the report, provide as much information as possible. This information includes:

Tragic accidents involving automobiles can have severe consequences, resulting in devastating injuries and even fatalities. Understanding the legal recourse available to victims and their families after fatal car accidents in Ohio is crucial during these challenging times. 

Historical Statistics of Fatal Car Accidents in Ohio

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there has been a steady decrease in fatal car accidents over the past five years. In 2018, there were 297,822 reported fatalities resulting from such accidents, and in 2022, there were a total of 265,512 fatal car accidents.

What are the Causes of Fatal Car Accidents?

Understanding the elements that contribute to these terrible occurrences requires a thorough investigation of the causes of fatal automobile accidents. Common causes include:

Car accidents can be life-changing events that leave victims with physical, emotional, and financial injuries. However, if the accident was caused by another party's negligence or wrongdoing, injured individuals may be entitled to compensation for their losses.

Establishing Fault and Comparative Negligence

The first step in seeking compensation for car accident injuries is to establish fault. Ohio follows a comparative negligence system, which means that the injured person's recovery may be reduced by their percentage of fault in causing the accident. For instance, if the injured person was 20% at fault, their recovery would be reduced by 20%.

Seeking Damages from A Car Accident

Once fault is established, the injured person can seek compensation for their damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. To prove damages in a car accident injury case, it is vital to gather evidence such as medical records, police reports, and witness statements.

When most people think of car accident claims and lawsuits, they usually imagine situations where two or more vehicles were involved in a collision caused by one of those drivers engaging in an activity or behavior that resulted in the crash. Unfortunately, there are also many people injured – even killed – in accidents that are the result of a dangerous or defective vehicle part. In these situations, the injured individual may be able to pursue legal action against the vehicle manufacturer or other responsible entity for damages they sustain as a result of the accident.

Vehicle Recalls

Every part of the manufacturing of a vehicle, from the initial design of the vehicle to the time it rolls off the assembly line, involves a process that is supposed to include multiple safety checks and inspections to ensure that all parts of the vehicle are safe. Consumers depend on this process, trusting that the vehicle they are purchasing is free from defects or dangerous issues.

Unfortunately, far too many vehicles end up with issues that prove to be dangerous to owners, their passengers, and other commuters they share the road with. Some of these issues are unknown to the manufacturer and are only discovered after complaints are filed by consumers who have had bad experiences. Other issues are known by manufacturers who decide to keep the information secret, putting profits over people.

One of the staples of the Fourth of July weekend is the traditional fireworks celebrations. Many Americans attend community events, but there are also millions of families across the country that put on their own firework displays. Unfortunately, while firework shows can be exhilarating to both old and young alike, they can also be dangerous. National data shows that the number of injuries and deaths that are firework-related has increased by approximately 25 percent over the past 15 years.

Firework Injury Statistics

According to statistics compiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 11,500 people were injured in accidents involving some type of firework. Nine people were killed. According to the report issued by the CPSC, the number of victims could have actually been higher except many public events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were 15,600 victims who sought treatment for firework-related injuries in 2020.

Six of those fatalities occurred in incidents where there was some type of misuse of the pyrotechnics and one death was the result of a malfunctioning mortar launch.