Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Ohio

Being involved in a car accident can be a frightening and overwhelming experience.

It's crucial to know the immediate steps to take to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights.

1. Ensure Safety: First, check yourself and others for injuries. If it's safe, move vehicles out of traffic to prevent further accidents.

2. Call 911: Contact emergency services to report the accident and get medical assistance if needed. Even if injuries seem minor, it's wise to get checked out by a medical professional.

3. Exchange Information: Collect the names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance details of all drivers involved. Also, gather contact information from any witnesses.

4. Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. This evidence can be crucial for insurance claims and legal proceedings.

5. File a Police Report: A police report provides an official record of the accident and is often required by insurance companies.

6. Seek Medical Attention: Visit a healthcare provider for a thorough examination. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.

7. Notify Your Insurance Company: Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Provide them with all the relevant information and documentation.

8. Consult a Lawyer: If you sustained injuries or significant damage, consider consulting a personal injury attorney. They can help you navigate the legal complexities and ensure you receive fair compensation.

Following these steps can help you manage the aftermath of a car accident in Ohio effectively, ensuring your health and legal rights are protected.

As always, contact Lipson O’Shea for a consultation if you are involved in your legal needs.

Slip and Fall Personal Injury Cases

We often get calls from folks who fell while walking on someone's property - and they often assume that the property owner is liable to them for the injuries they suffered from that fall. However, when applying Ohio law to the facts of many of these cases, the property owner has no liability.   Under Ohio law, in order for a property owner to have any liability to someone who is injured on that property, the injured party must prove EITHER: (1) the owner of the property knew of the dangerous condition before the injury, and that owner failed to remedy, or improperly remedied, that dangerous condition, or (2) the property owner actually "created" the dangerous condition. Further, there is a good body of law that states that naturally accumulating ice or snow does not require the owner of the property to clear that accumulation - and if you slip and fall on that naturally accumulation snow and ice, the property owner has no liability to you. Further still, if you trip and fall on a sidewalk where the "crack" is 4 inches or less, then the property owner has no liability to you. Nevertheless, many times the property owner does, for the reasons stated above, have liability to a person injured on that property. We have successfully obtained reasonable compensation for people in those situations, so feel free to contact us to see if you have a valid claim.

And, like your mother said, watch where you are going.